The Penn's Grove record., 1884-03-15

A correspondent writes; OF tins fin.
housC-5loOmins piaut | md some twenty
different varieties described by authorl-
tiles, varying IN color and size Of bios
sons, foliage and habit of plant. som,
of the varieties remain in foliage an IN
definite length Of time, and are almost
constant boomers. These have white OF
pink blossoms, blossom and foliage are
small, and the root Is tuberous, elonga.
ted, and scaly or iointed. Planted in
pots OF good soil | AVE had them grow
ING and keeping in blossom for months
at a time, summer and winter, when
cared for. They will not, however, bear
diving of like some Of the choicer,
larger varieties with dubious roots.
Every season | have In my window a
hanging pot, or basket, Of mammoth OK
ais, with pink blossoms, and leaves aver
aging in size p by 2 inches, heart shaped,
and not as deeply lObed rs the smaller va
rietIes. ! have the same plant now grow
ing, but not yet in full size or blossom.
Its stems OF leaves and flower stalks are 10
to II inches in length; blossom sta ks
nearly as thick as a wheat straw, each one
surmOunted by a c0rymb OF six to twelve
or more blossoms, measuring 2 to 8 inches
across, some larger; the terminal strongest
buds opening first, others following daily,
or less frequently, till the whole cluster is
opened, and lasting for several days. The
plants continue u blossom for two months
or more, when they cease to bloom, but
make foliage, and new bulbs are formed.
y yellow. blossomed variety, with blossoms
and foliage much smaller, is also nice for
u variety. [ have lately been less sue
cessful in poisoning this than formerly,
It often refusing to show more than a few
blossoms during the whole season, and the
foliage is more dlmiIutive, but apparently
healthy and thrifty.
The culture Is quite simple, requiring
only the care given to ordinary pot plants.
The bulbs should be ported IN good COM
mon pOttiug soil, covering them lightly.
They should have a sunny nook of the
window, and not be suffered to want for
water, or have too much, although they do
better with less than a little too much.
They have their season of rest, as well rs
of growth, the latter during winter, drying
off IN early spring usually. My mode of
caring for the bulbs when at rest is to
shake them out of the potting soil some
weeks after the foliage has entirely dlsap-
peared, dry them and put them away in
boxes in a closet or other dry place, and
there let them remain until they begin to
send out fine white shoots, when / pot
them and keep IN the shade to- a week or
two before giving them strong light. Usu-
ally they are ready for pottIng in Septem-
her and October, the foliage fading IN
April. sooner or later. If one wishes for
an abundance Of blossoms, without refer
ence to size, the pink and white varieties
will afford satisfaction. One or Two
pieces Of rooted planted IN a slx-inch pot
will, IN a little while, afford much foliage
and quantities of blossoms IN succession
tor months together, buds opening IN the
morning and closing at evening where al
lowed plenty of sunlight. Where more
variety Is desirable, and only for a short
season, the larger varieties with bulbs will
give better satisfaction. The several varl-
etles cultivated IN separate pots make
quite a show when in blossom together.