Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-08
Planting of Bulbs.

The following article upon bulbs, from The
L,7edon Garden, will be read with interest at
his time:
'Hyacinths, tulips and crocuses are bulbs for
the Million because it happens to suit their con-
stitution to nicely to be in Total darkness for
two or three months during the growing season,
and at the same time are very convenient for all
those who have nothing but window space for
their disposal. The bulb, as soon as it comes In
contact with humid atmosphere, pushes roots
into the soil in one instance and into water in
another, and 1t is very strange fact that the
roots, in the case OF hyacinth in hyacinth
glass, will live and luxuriate in water alone,
when they would perish in earth and water If
the one was not properly propOrtiOned to the
other. This in all probability accounts in many
instances for the Outlines unsatisfactory yield
OF bloom for f1rSt-claSS roots. II cultivatOrS
would only reflect one moment on the nature of
bulbs they would perceive that a vast amount
of nutrition is stored up in these concentrated
layers Of vegetable matter to be given out during
the season for the benefit of both root and stem,
and the wisdom OF acting with Intelligent eau
ton would be more apparent.
1t used to be laid down as an axiom that the
bulb will produce the best flowers that have not
single drop OF water given to them for the first
two months after planting. This refers more
particularly to the case OF hyacinthS in pots.
The soil intended for their growth should be rich
and open, full of fibre, and sandy in its nature.
All ingredients likely to incline to a Sodden
character should be strictly avoided In potting
leave one-third of the bulbs above the SOIL and
the soil should be pressed firmly about it, but
not Immediately below the base OF the roots;
why? because many of the hyacinths throw out
strong, thick, feshy roots that, coming down.
ward in a mass, do not readily penetrate the
soil beneath, and in consequence the bulbs are
thrust up out Of it, and have to be replanted
again, to the danger Of injuring the roots. If
the mixture be as it should be- of an elastic
nature, the roots will soon penetrate it, and one
great secret Of success in cultivating hyacinths,
whether in pots or glasses, is to get good and
free root action as soon as possible.
The previous remark about not pressing the
soil too hard Just under the base of the bulb ap-
plies to those who do not put their pots out-of-
doors under covering of coal ashes or on some
such material. When the latter course is fol-
lowed-either by planting the pots in cold
frame or on ash bottom In the open ground
the weight of material resting on the surface of
the pots prevents the bulbs being thrust up out
of the soil, when strong root action COM
mences. Some growers tnvert small pot over
the crown of the bulb before covering with cocoa
fibre, cinder-aShes or such like, and this should
be put in to the depth OF four inches The pres
ence Of the inverted pot prevents the covering
from coming into immediate contact with the
growing spike, and prevents anything like rot.
When not so protected the tips of the growing
spike will become disf1gured, and this disfgure-
ment shows itself at the points of the main
leaves afterwards. When once covered up snugly
the pots need not be looked at for six weeks or
two months"