POT GROWN BULBS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 September 1940, Page 9

POT GROWN BULBS

CAUSES WHICH LEAD TO FAILURE A few notes on the subject may assist those interested in discovering the causes which lead to disappointment and failure in pot-grown bulbs. Badly, shaped and twisted leaves are often due to greenfly. Tulips are especially subject to attacks by this pest and dryness is usually responsible for infestation. Hyacinth bulbs sometimes fail to start into growth or, in some cases, grow only a few inches high. It will be found that the base and roots have decayed, while the remainder of each bulb may be sound. Unsatisfactory drainage or overwatering is responsible. Occasionally good blooms are produced, but the bottoms of the stems become soft, brown and slimy and later the flowers fall over. The stems can be lifted out of the bulbs, leaving cavities surrounded by a brownish rot, but the bases of the leaves and bulbs are sound. In extreme cases the rot spreads downwards and is apparent in the centres of the bases of the bulbs. The trouble usually arises from one of two causes; the bulbs were placed too low in the soil with the result that water has penetrated the growing points and started the rot. or they have received too much water overhead. Reduce overhead moisture and keep the tips of the hyacinth bulbs well above the soil when potting. Another common fault is that the bud opens when only about half way out of the bulb and does not appear to advance, although no dacay is apparent. This may be caused by an incorrect temperature, root dryness or overwatering. Unequal development of the flowers may be caused by a continued draught or by allowing the soil to become too dry after the flowers show colour.

A waterlogged soil caused by bad drainage or overwatering is fatal to tulips. The bulbs will make no root or stem growth in such circumstances: oven if a little growth is made it will be stunted and twisted. A common failure with daffodils is caused byshortage of water when the stem is well advanced, and another is excessive watering, indicated by yellow leaf tips.