The Culture of Vegetables and Flowers From Seeds and Roots eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 669 pages of information about The Culture of Vegetables and Flowers From Seeds and Roots.

The Culture of Vegetables and Flowers From Seeds and Roots eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 669 pages of information about The Culture of Vegetables and Flowers From Seeds and Roots.

==Hyacinths, Italian and Roman==.—­Uncover the pots containing the earliest planting, and at first place them in a dimly lighted position.  The application of heat will depend on the time the flowers are wanted; but when the plants are forward enough, plunge them in a temperature of 65 deg., and in about a week they will be ready for use.

==Lachenalias== rarely attain the proportions they are capable of for want of water in their growing state.  They thrive in peat, and may be forced into flower at almost any season.  Except in warm and sheltered gardens, they must not be planted in the open.  Yet only sufficient warmth is required to keep frost at bay.

==Leucojums== are perfectly hardy bulbs which will grow in any garden.  The flowers resemble Snowdrops, but are much larger.  Plant in dense groups.

==Narcissus==.—­From the natural characteristics of this bulb it is desirable that it should be planted early.  Sometimes, however, it is impossible, consistently with other arrangements, either to pot or to plant Narcissus before October or November.  In such cases it is consoling to know that from sound, well-ripened roots good flowers may be confidently anticipated, even from late plantings.

==Ornithogalum==.—­In the open this bulb must have some protection during winter, to save its large fleshy roots from injury by frost.  A heap of light manure or dry litter will answer the purpose.  Plant six inches deep.

==Scilla praecox== can be grown almost anywhere, and in a light rich soil it blooms profusely.  The bulbs will safely pass the severest winter in the open ground, and flower in February or March.  The exact time depends on the climate and position.  In sheltered spots and mild districts they will naturally bloom earlier than in bleak and exposed quarters.  Plant in masses or lines, and the bulbs may remain undisturbed for years.  A dense row makes an exceedingly beautiful background to Snowdrops.  The other Scillas are equally hardy and valuable, and they all flower with great freedom.

==Triteleia uniflora== is a handsome white-flowering hardy bulb, which will grow freely in any garden.  It is adapted for the company of any of the dwarf-growing bulbs, and may be employed in either lines or clumps.  Plant the roots three inches apart and two inches deep.

==Tuberoses== are valued for the purity of their white flowers, and for the agreeable perfume they exhale.  The bulbs may be potted singly or three in a pot.  They thrive in a compost of loam and leaf-mould, and need a bottom heat ranging between 60 deg. and 70 deg. to bring them to perfection.  The African bulbs are generally ready in September and the importations from America arrive in December and January.

==Tulips== may be planted in the open ground at any time during the month.  We shall say nothing as to the arrangement of colours, nor as to the form of the beds, for both points admit of endless diversity.  The mixed border may be enlivened with groups of many varieties, and if they are judiciously selected, there will be a succession of flowers for several weeks in the spring.

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The Culture of Vegetables and Flowers From Seeds and Roots from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.