Changes

Haemanthuses, like most Cape bulbs, are summer- and autumn-flowering; or, when started indoors or in frames, blooming in spring or early summer. The flowers often precede the leaves. The foliage is usually large and luxuriant, and the scape is often handsomely colored. The flowers are sometimes as much as 2 inches across, and produced in great ball-like heads nearly or quite a foot through. Yet the species are essentially curiosities in this country. The culture given nerine suits them well. Their season of growth is usually not more than three or four months, and the remainder of the year they may be laid away in the pots. When growing, give plenty of rather weak liquid manure, keep in an intermediate or warm house, and when in bloom keep them somewhat cooler. Avoid overpotting.

Haemanthuses, like most Cape bulbs, are summer- and autumn-flowering; or, when started indoors or in frames, blooming in spring or early summer. The flowers often precede the leaves. The foliage is usually large and luxuriant, and the scape is often handsomely colored. The flowers are sometimes as much as 2 inches across, and produced in great ball-like heads nearly or quite a foot through. Yet the species are essentially curiosities in this country. The culture given nerine suits them well. Their season of growth is usually not more than three or four months, and the remainder of the year they may be laid away in the pots. When growing, give plenty of rather weak liquid manure, keep in an intermediate or warm house, and when in bloom keep them somewhat cooler. Avoid overpotting.

They are increased by offsets, which should be detached from the parent plante hi the spring. The bulbs may be potted singly, or several in a pot, in equal parts of peat and loam, with enough sand to make the compost have a gritty feeling when passed through the hands. Cover the lower half of the bulb with soil and pot them firmly. Leaf-mold may be used instead of peat, if that soil is not available. Haemanthus will grow well in a night temperature of 50° to 55°. However, they are often grown 10° lower, but never with the same success. Water the plants carefully until they get into active growth, after which water may be applied more liberally. Syringe the plants on all bright days, morning and noon during their growing period. During the summer months, shade them slightly; and when they are in flower the shade may be much heavier. This is of great assistance in making them last longer. As soon as the plants show signs of going to rest, withhold water, letting the soil become quite dry. Start them into growth in the spring about the first of March. It is not necessary to pot these plants every year, as they flower much better if not disturbed much at the roots. If they are not repotted, water with weak liquid manure once a week, after they are growing vigorously. These plants are liable to attacks from green-fly and red-spider. Fumigation with tobacco, in any form generally used in greenhouses, will keep the former in check; and on bright days, a careful syringing of the under side of the foliage with clean water will keep the latter from getting a foothold.

They are increased by offsets, which should be detached from the parent plant in the spring. The bulbs may be potted singly, or several in a pot, in equal parts of peat and loam, with enough sand to make the compost have a gritty feeling when passed through the hands. Cover the lower half of the bulb with soil and pot them firmly. Leaf-mold may be used instead of peat, if that soil is not available. Haemanthus will grow well in a night temperature of 50° to 55°. However, they are often grown 10° lower, but never with the same success. Water the plants carefully until they get into active growth, after which water may be applied more liberally. Syringe the plants on all bright days, morning and noon during their growing period. During the summer months, shade them slightly; and when they are in flower the shade may be much heavier. This is of great assistance in making them last longer. As soon as the plants show signs of going to rest, withhold water, letting the soil become quite dry. Start them into growth in the spring about the first of March. It is not necessary to pot these plants every year, as they flower much better if not disturbed much at the roots. If they are not repotted, water with weak liquid manure once a week, after they are growing vigorously. These plants are liable to attacks from green-fly and red-spider. Fumigation with tobacco, in any form generally used in greenhouses, will keep the former in check; and on bright days, a careful syringing of the under side of the foliage with clean water will keep the latter from getting a foothold.

 

Many hybrids and forms are known in horticulture. Among the best is H. arulrameria which is H. Kathcrinte X H. magnificus. Fls. crimson. Gn. 76, p. 437. G.M. 55:589. H. Toxicarius=Buphane distichia.

}}

}}