Acidanthera
Acidanthera is a charming and graceful bulb flower—a bulb of easy garden handling.
Plant, dig, and store acidanthera as you would Gladioli.
This plant gives a beat decorative effect when three bulbs are planted together.
Amaryllis Hippeastrum:
These should be planted as soon as they are received, in pots not more than one inch larger in diameter than the bulb.
Leaf mold should be used, mixed with old cow manure and sand. They should be kept at a warm temperature;
Do not overwater this plant, nor allow them to become too dry.
As soon as the bud is about 2” inches high, it should have plenty of light.
When the Amaryllis has bloomed indoors, the pots may be placed in the garden during the summer months to give the roots a chance to develop.
Place the pots 2” inches below the surface of the ground, and liquid manure is recommended during the development period.
When the leaves have died in October, the plants should be set in a moderately warm place.
Anemones
Plant Anemones early in spring, in loose, fertile, well-dug soil, placed at intervals of 4” inches apart and a depth of 2” inches.
Take care that they receive as much light as possible. South of Washington, D. C., Anemones can be left in the ground the year round.
On the other hand, when planted in the North of Washington, D. C., the bulbs should be taken up after the leaves have withered, put in a sunny and airy place to become thoroughly dry, then stored away until the time comes for them to be planted again.
Begonias
Begonias can be planted outdoors as soon as the ground is warmed up.
Plant 8” inches apart and about 2” inches deep, and any soil providing it is dug thoroughly.
It is advisable to mix old cow manure with the soil, but the manure should not be worked very deeply into the ground, not more than 7” to 8” inches, as the roots, do not penetrate the ground to any extent.
They flourish best in a semi-shaded, cool spot and should be well watered in the evenings. They flower freely from July until frost.
Take the bulbs up as soon as the first frost kills the leaves.
Caladium
Plant one bulb in a 6” inch pot in light soil indoors and keep it moist and at a moderately warm temperature.
For outdoors, plant only when the soil has become thoroughly whim, while in a sheltered, semi-shaded spot, keep moderately it moist.
Bulbs should be taken up in the fall.
Calla Lilies
Calla lilies should be treated the same as Gladiolus.
Plant them on the open border as soon as the danger from frost is over.
In the fall, when the frost has killed the tops, dig and store in a dry, frost-free place.
Cannas
For early blooming Canna, it may be started in pots or shallow boxes and stored in a warm place until the beginning of June, when they can be transferred to the appointed place in the garden, with the clods of earth intact.
This spot must be sunny and well-manured. Plant them rather deeply at a distance of about 16” inches apart.
Also, dormant roots can be started outdoors after May 1st.
Chilidanthus Fragrans
Plant these bulbs about May 1st, 8” inches apart and 3” inches deep.
Stems grow 12” inches high, bearing flowers resembling miniature Amaryllis.
They bloom June-July. It’s also important to note that North of Washington, D. C., bulbs should be taken up and stored in a root cellar.
Dahlias
Dahlias should not be planted until after May 1st or until the ground is frost-free.
It is essential to plant them in a warm sunny place. They grow in any soil, but care must be taken to have proper drainage if they are planted in a clay ground, as they should not stand in pools of water.
Place each root at a distance of 2 ½’ to 3’ feet apart so that the point comes just under the level of the ground.
When the plant attains a height of 1 ½’ feet, it should be supported by placing 3 sticks around it and binding together with a bast.
To obtain extra large flowers, it is necessary to allow only one bud on one stem to develop.
Therefore, all other buds should be removed at once, as soon as they appear. Further, all flowers which are withering should be removed at once.
Gladioli
Any soil is suitable for Gladioli, and they will always grow and flower.
Some manure, however, will improve the flowers’ growth and size.
Plant in a sunny spot at the beginning of April or later.
Dig the soil thoroughly and plant them 6” inches apart so that they are covered with 2” inches of soil.
Before frost sets in, they should be dug up, and the foliage cut away to within 2” inches of the top of the bulb.
Dry thoroughly in the sun and store in a dry, airy, frost-free place for the winter.
Gloriosa (Climbing Lily)
Do not plant the climbing lily tuber before the ground has warmed up.
Instead, plant in a sunny location near a trellis or fence to where the tendrils at the end of the plant leaves can attach themselves.
Place the tubers slant-wise in a sandy sail and cover the eye about 2” inches.
Gloxinias
Immediately upon receipt, the bulbs should be planted in medium-sized pots filled with an equal mixture of leaf mold and peat.
Gloxinias require a damp but warm atmosphere. Therefore, water regularly, but see that no water remains underneath the pots, as this causes the roots to putrify.
Give them plenty of light, but do not place the young plants in the direct sun and protect them from draught.
Ismene Calathina
Bulbs should be kept warm and dry until May 15th, when they should be planted in porous, sandy soil and full sun.
Before frost sets in, they should be lifted and stored in a warm, dry place.
Lilies
The bulbs should be planted immediately on arrival and as early in Spring as possible. Plant in fertile and not too dry garden mold.
They prefer the cool, well-moistened ground, where even with a drought or a superabundance of sun, there is no lack of moisture.
Plant Lilies in such a way that the tops of the bulbs are covered with about 4” inches of soil, and by preference, in a shady spot.
Lilies should be left in the ground and not taken up, as they bloom more profusely when established than in the first season after transplanting.
They should be planted in pots with 4” inches of soil covering the top of the bulb for indoor cultivation.
It is advisable to place the pots on the ground outdoors and brim them into the house only when the buds have formed.
Be sure excellent nutritive soil is used.
Montbretias
Upon arrival, plant Montbretias in a shady spot, free from draught.
They will flourish in any soil that has been well dug and preferably manured.
Plant montbretia 3” inches deep and 3” inches apart.
They should be left in the ground the year round, but ensure they have good winter protection.
Oxalis
Plant bulbs about 1 ½” to 2” inches apart just below the soil’s surface.
They can stand a great deal of sun and grow quickly in dry, not over-rich soil.
However, watering is necessary when planted in the direct sun.
For indoors, plant them closely together in pots, and they will flower for quite some time.
Ranunculus
Follow cultivation instructions given for Anemones.
Summer Hyacinths
Summer Hyacinths should be treated the same as Gladiolus.
Plant the bulbs 4” inches deep in groups in the foreground of the shrub border.
They thrive best in full sun. Remember to lift the bulbs in the fall and store them over winter like Gladiolus.
Tigridia
Set the bulbs at least 4” inches deep in early May.
Give Tigridia rich soil in full sun. They must be dug in late autumn and dried thoroughly before storing in a cool, dry place over winter.
Tuberoses
For outdoor planting, the same cultivation is as for Gladioli.
Place one or more bulbs in pots for indoor cultivation and keep them in a cool room.
From time to time, the pots should be immersed entirely in water, once in 10 days, for instance.
Furthermore, the saucers on which the pots stand must be completely filled with water once a day. It’s also essential to note never to water the plant from above.
After some weeks, the pots should be placed in bright daylight and kept as warm as possible.
Zephyranthes
Plant bulbs 3” inches deep in good soil with good drainage and a sunny location.
Planted north of Washington, D. C., the bulbs require storage over winter in a frost-free cellar.