BULB PLANTING
The planting of bulbs in pots for winter blooming should be commenced with pupils in Form I and continued in the higher Forms. As a rule, the potted bulbs will be stored and cared for in the home, as most school-rooms are not heated continuously during the winter. Paper-white narcissus and freesia are most suitable and should be planted about the fifteenth of October, so that the plants will be in bloom for Christmas.
LESSON ON BULBS AND BULB PLANTING
Materials.—The bulbs to be planted.
As many four-inch flower-pots or tomato cans as are required.
Soil, composed of garden loam, sand, and well-rotted manure in equal proportions. Stones for drainage.
Sticks for labels (smooth pieces of shingle, one and a half inches wide and sharpened at one end, will answer).
Pictures of the plants in bloom.
Observations.—The attention of the pupils is directed to the bulbs, and they are asked to describe the size, form, and colour of each kind of bulb.
A bulb is cut across to make possible the study of the parts, and the pupils observe the scales or rings which are the bases of the leaves of the plant from which the bulb grew. The use of the fleshy mass of the bulb as a store of food for the plant that will grow from it is discussed.
The sprout in the centre of the scales with its yellowish-green tip is observed, and its meaning inferred.
The picture is shown to illustrate the possibilities within the bulb.
PLANTING THE BULB
The teacher directs, but the work is done by the pupils, and the reasons for the following operations are developed:
What is the use of the one-inch layer of pebbles, or broken brick, or stone, that is placed in the bottom of the pot?
Why are the bulbs planted near the top of the soil?
Why is the soil packed firmly around the bulbs?
Why must the soil be well wetted?
Why is the pot set in a cool, dark place for a month or more?
To the teacher.—The pebbles or broken bricks are for giving drainage. The bulbs are planted with their tips just showing above the surface of the soil and there is about half an inch of space between the top of the soil and the upper edge of the pot in order to facilitate watering. The potted bulbs must be set in a cool, dark place until they are well rooted. This is subjecting them to their natural winter conditions, and it will cause them to yield larger flowers, a great number of flowers, and flowers that are more lasting. Sand in the soil permits of the more free passing of air through the soil. Basements and cellars are usually suited for storing bulbs until they have rooted, but they must not be warm enough to promote rapid growth. The pots when stored should be covered with leaves, sawdust, or coarse sand to prevent drying out. The soil must be kept moist, but not wet. Paper-white narcissus, if brought out of the dark after three or four weeks, will be in bloom at the end of another month if kept in the window of a warm room. Care must be taken not to expose the plants to bright light until they have become green. The bulbs of the white narcissus are to be thrown away after the flowers have withered, as they will not bloom again, but freesia bulbs may be kept and planted again the following year.