BULBS IN FIBRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 April 1940, Page 8

BULBS IN FIBRE

EFFECTIVE MEANS OF INDOOR DECORATION. CLEAN AND INTERESTING METHOD. If you want a clean method of growing bulbs for indoor decoration —try them in moss fibre. This is no new method, but for some reason or other it has never received the attention it deserves. Any kind of bowl can be used, drainage being unnecessary, and the advantage of this system is that the bowls can be placed anywhere about the house, in the drawing or dining room without fear of any mess from water or soil coming through the base of the pots. The moss fibre is perfectly clean and odourless; it can be purchased at seed stores and can be handled with no thought of dirt or stain. The fibre should be moistened until

it is damp but not wet, so that if a handful is taken and squeezed no water should drop out. The best way is to damp the fibre a few days before using so that the moisture thoroughly soaks every particle. When potting, put a few pieces of charcoal in the bottom of the vase to absorb impurities and keep the mixture sweet; then put in from one to three inches of the compost, according to the depth of the vase. Place the narcissi, daffodils, hyaminths, tulips, freesias, or whatever is being potted, gently on the fibre, and then fill up the vase to within one inch of the rim.

When potting, the bulbs are best put one or two inches beneath the surface and although the fibre is placed well around the bulbs it is not necessary or desirable to press it at ail tightly, otherwise the roots do not work freely in the medium and the bulbs have a tendency to push themselves upwards; this is often the case with bulbs that are pressed too firmly in the compost. Great care must be taken to keep the compost fairly moist (not sodden), fresh water being given as often as necessary. Should too much water be given allow it to drain away by laying the vase on its side. When first potted keep them in an airy room, not in a confined cupboard. The vase should be examined at least once a week and a little water given if necessary. This necessity will quickly be indicated, for as soon as all surplus j water is absorbed the fibre becomes dry at the top and brown in colour. When watering give enough water to moisten the whole of the fibre. One reason why many fail to flower bulbs satisfactorily in fibre is because sufficient attention is not given to keeping the fibre moist right through to the bottom.

When the bulbs have grown about an inch out of the compost more air and light must, be given, but extremes of cold must be guarded against. The number of bulbs which can be grown

in one vase depends upon the size, but so long as about an inch is allowed between the bulbs when potting it is sufficient. Varieties that do well under this treatment are narcissi, including jonquils and trumpets. Freesias, and all hyacinths do very well. Tulips also thrive, but special care is necessary toj see that the fibre never gets dry.