Page Title

Cultural Advice

Most species need shelter from the wind and driving rain, also shade in varying degrees. All need well-drained soil.

When planting out, choose a location sheltered by trees and shrubs and if necessary add small gravel (up to 6mm) and sharp sand to "open up" the soil. A small amount of peat or leaf-mould may also be beneficial The plants will not thrive if the soil is permanently waterlogged. Plant the corms approximately 1 inch below the surface.

When grown in pots in a cold frame or

greenhouse, similar conditions are needed . The potting compost should contain loam, sand and perhaps some peat to obtain a well drained medium. Top-dress with a thin layer of 6mm gravel to reduce drying-out and inhibit moss growth. Shade will be needed during the

summer months, with enough water only to keep the compost slightly moist. Over-watering will cause the corms to rot. Wake them up gently with moderate watering after the hot days of summer, but never give them water-logged

conditions. Through late autumn and winter a hard frost in the greenhouse will prove fatal to those too wet. Neglect is sometimes beneficial!! At all times ventilation to provide air circulation (but not freezing wind) should be given.

Those not considered hardy should be given similar greenhouse conditions but with the

addition of heat during sub-zero spells.

Attention should be given to ventilation at every

opportunity. If kept on the dry side, even those should survive several degrees of frost.

There are one or two exceptions to this

summary . These can be found within the

individual descriptions of each type.