Bulbs can be grown in vases, bowls, dishes, cornucopias, &c., of
whatsoever shape or form, from the small ornament that will hold a
crocus, to the large family punch-bowl, capable of growing a dozen
hyacinths. Wire or rustic work of any kind, lined or not with zinc,
and filled with moss, will grow bulbs to perfection. A zinc frame can
be made to fill the whole front of any window; and if filled with moss
or sand, and planted with hyacinths, lily of the valley, crocuses,
snow-drops, tulips, narcissus, and polyanthus, would in itself form
a complete miniature winter flower-garden. These, with successive
plantings, may be made so many connecting links between our autumn
flowers and the early spring blossoms.
Take a common soup plate, place in it as many strong bulbs as it will
hold easily, and fill in about half an inch of water. In a few days
the roots begin to spread, and so clasp each other in the course of a
few weeks, that they form a natural support. If the bulbs and plate
are covered with moss, it improves the appearance. For winter bloom
successive plantings can be made every two weeks, from September till
January. After the early part of December, hyacinths intended for
glasses had better be half grown in pots, then turned out and the roots
carefully freed from the soil in tepid water, then placed in glasses.
In this way they will blossom sooner. The soil used to cultivate bulbs
should be light and rich, full half sand. Bulbs can be grown in moss
by keeping it damp. They can be raised even in clear sand. Take any
ornamental dish capable of holding moisture, and fill it with sand in a
pyramidal form. In the centre plant a hyacinth, and at equal distances
round it plant three or more, according to the size of the dish; fill
up the space with crocuses, snow-drops, dwarf tulips, &c. In planting,
the bulbs should be covered with sand, all but the tops. Then place the
dish of bulbs in water five minutes, in order to fix the bulbs firmly
in their position. Repeat this bath once a week, never allowing the
sand to become dry. Place it in the dark for two weeks, then keep it in
a cool, light, airy room.
There is no bulb so well adapted to house culture as the hyacinth. They
grow easily in pots or glasses. They will grow in almost any light,
sandy soil; but just in proportion as this is adapted to the plant,
will the perfection of their culture be attained.
For pot growing, the hyacinth, to attain its greatest beauty, should be
grown in pots seven inches in diameter, and the same depth. They will
grow and blossom in pots of four or five inches in diameter. Only one
bulb should be planted in a pot. Two or three can be grown in larger
sized pots. Put over the hole in the bottom a good drainage, half an
inch or more in depth, on this either a handful of leaf mould, very old
cow manure, or the coarse part of the compost; then add the prepared
soil, filling up the pot to within an inch of the top. On this place
the bulb, covering it with soil all but the top; press the earth gently
around it, and shake the pot slightly, to settle the soil, and finish
with a good watering; then either plunge the pots three or four inches
in some old hot-bed, and cover with leaves, or place them in the dark,
covered carefully, but in a dry place, for several weeks, to allow the
roots to make a vigorous start. Water them very slightly at first, then
gradually inure them to the sunlight. As the flowers expand, place a
saucer under each pot, which must be kept filled with water till the
flowers begin to decay; then lessen the water till withheld entirely.
For planting in glasses, the last of October or early in November will
do. Use only rain or spring water. Fill the glasses with water, and
place the bulb so that the roots will just come in contact with it;
set them in a dark closet, or on a shelf in a dry cellar, and let them
remain till the roots have started, usually in three or four weeks;
then remove them to any place which is well lighted and warm, keeping
them from the sun till they look a deep green; turn them around now and
then, and change the water once in three or four weeks. If you perceive
the roots look slimy, and the water fetid, carefully remove the bulb,
and place the roots in clear water of the same temperature; wash the
roots gently; cleanse the glass before replacing the bulb.