Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-30
Keeping Flowers Indoors
During the Winter

maximum amount of root growth from
bulbs in the dark has its exception in
the case of those known as Cape bulbs.
of which the ones most commonly used
for growing in rooms are freesia, oxalis
and ixia. These require to be started in
cool place, but they must have light.
and a cold frame gives the best environ
ment: failing this. place them in a room
where the Temperature does not exceed
40 or % degrees until they have made
some growth, after which they can be
gradually taken into higher tempera
lures. Care must be taken in the case
Of cape bulbs not to overwater. which Is
liable to cause the bulbs to burst. For
this reason they cannot, like those known
as Dutch bulbs. be grown actually in
water.
The growing of Dutch bulbs, hyacinths,
tulips and narcissus. in water or wet
sand is the cleanest and most eonve-
nient way OF raising flowers indoors, al
though the flowers Will not be, quite SO
big as if grown in SOIL, The easiest to
grow in pure water is the species OF mar
cissus known as the Chinese sacred lily,
which can be placed In shallow bowl,
with sand to keep the bulb in position.
If desired, few pebbles may be placed
over the sand. Put about half an Inch OF
sand at the bottom of the bowl. then
the DulD Ou top VI III anu III Win SaHO
half way up the bulb. Then pour in
water enough to thoroughly wet the
sand, and put the bowl away in cool.
dark place These directions apply also
to hyacinths, tulips and other species Of
narcissus. Ten days is generally suffi-
cient .-me for the Chinese lily, other mar
cissuS fourteen, hyacinths three weeks
and tulips five weeks. covering Of
sphagnum moss Is often put over the
sand as it helps to maintain an even tenn
nor uty1ra nd ant n moi of Iro
cooperating SO quickly. besides the green
moss has pleasing effect. Bulbs may
be grown in water only. without the
sand or pebbles, and for hyacinths spe-
cial glasses are sold for the purpose.
Put piece of charcoal in the glass and
put in sufficient water to reach a. quarter
of an inch from the bottom OF the bulb
Put away in dark place until the roots
should be changed every four or flve days.
adding three or four drops of household
ammonia each time.
To get the best flowers 1t is necessary
all other things being equal to buy the
best bulbs. and generally the largest bulbs
produce the most flowers. For the earliest
Towering get the Chinese sacred lily,
paper white narcissus and Roman hya-
cinth. which will be followed by the
horsfieldii. Sir Watkin, spurius major
and cernus narcissi. in the order named,
IL planted all at the same time. Tulips
come little later. the earliest being the
dwarf Due Won Thol, which is, perhaps,
the only red lowered bulb than can be
had III bloom by Christmas. Other single
tulips for succession are, yellow Prince.
Prosperine. brilliant carmine rose, King
of the Yellows. Queen of the Netherlands,
pink; POtterbaker. white: Sir Thomas Lip
ton. scarlet. and many others of varying
shades. Named hyacinths are legion. and
in buying it is we'll to get the best bulbs
of whatever colors are desired and leave
the names to the merchant.
ARTHUR SMITH,
| General Manager Peoples Gardens.