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Cultivation (Stove and greenhouse species)

The stove and greenhouse species cultivated indoors require large pots or tubs in most cases, as the roots are numerous and fleshy. Those of from 1ft. to 2ft. in diameter will be necessary for flowering bulbs; and, if a suitable compost be used and ample drainage provided, the plants may be shifted into these from much smaller pots without any fear of injury being entertained. It will not be necessary to repot Crinums annually when they reach such a size, if plenty of water is supplied, and a top-dressing of good soil be given when growth commences, in spring. This is also the best season for potting any that require it. Turfy loam, with some fibry peat and charcoal, all broken and used as lumpy as possible, form a good and lasting compost. After potting or top-dressing in spring, Crinums should be started into growth by being placed in stove heat, or in a somewhat cooler, but at the same time close, temperature, according to the requirements of individual species. Frequent syringings should be given, and some liquid manure may occasionally be applied to established plants. The flowers are all very beautiful, and are produced at various times throughout the summer, but more particularly towards the autumn. After flowering, water should be partially withheld for the winter or resting period, and the plants fully exposed to the sun. Crinums are seldom much injured by sunshine, but a slight shading is preferable in summer, when some of the leaves are young and tender. Outdoor Culture. A rich soil, in a sheltered south border, with plenty of drainage provided, is requisite for success with Crinums in the open air. Deep planting is recommended if they are to remain all the winter, in order that the bulbs may be out of the reach of frost. They should be of a good size before planting out. The best season is the end of May, as time is then afforded for the plants to flower and the roots to become established before winter. They must be kept clean, and watered when necessary. On the appearance of frost, the necks of the bulbs should be protected with haybands or fern; and when the leaves die away, the whole may be covered with cocoa-nut fibre. Where safety cannot thus be insured, on account of locality, it is best to lift and store the bulbs for the winter in a cool house or shed, and plant out again the following May. A stake must be placed to the flower-scape, when it appears, to prevent injury from rough wind. C. Moorei is one of the most beautiful species for greenhouse or outdoor cultivation, and is, moreover, almost certain to flower annually after the bulbs are strong enough. C. asiaticum, C. capense, and C. Macowani, amongst others, will also succeed in suitable positions outside.

C. amabile (lovely).* fl. twenty to thirty in an umbel, very fragrant; perianth tube bright red, cylindrical, 3in. to 4in. long; segments same length, spreading or revolute; scape 2ft. to 3ft. long, ancipitous. Summer. l. 3ft. to 4ft. long, 3in. to 4in. broad, lorate, tapering gradually to a point. Bulb small; neck about 1ft. long. Sumatra, 1810. Stove. (B. M. 1604.) C. americanum (American). fl. three to six in an umbel, very fragrant; perianth tube 4in. to 5in. long; segments lanceolate, 3in. to 4in. long, white on the back; peduncle 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long. Summer. l. six to ten, arcuate, lorate, 2ft. to 3ft. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad. Bulb ovoid; neck short. South United States, 1752. Stove. (B. M. 1034.) C. amoenum (pleasing). fl. six to twelve in an umbel; perianth tube greenish, 3in. to 5in. long; segments spreading, lanceolate, 2in. to 3in. long, pure white; scape 1ft. to 2ft. long. Summer. l. rosulate, linear, sub-erect, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 1in. to 2in. broad. Bulb globose, 2in. to 3in. in diameter. India, 1807. Stove.

C. angustifolium (narrow-leaved). fl. five to six in an umbel; perianth tube 3in. to 4in. long; segments lanceolate, 2 1/2in. long, and 1/2in. broad at the middle; scape about 1ft. long. Summer. l. linear, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad. Bulb sub-globose; neck very short. North Australia, 1824. Greenhouse. SYN. C. arenarium. (B. M. 2355.) There are two or three forms of this species.

C. aquaticum (aquatic). A synonym of C. campanulatum. C. arenarium (sand-loving). A synonym of C. angustifolium. C. asiaticum (Asiatic).* Asiatic Poison Bulb. fl. about twenty in an umbel; perianth tube slender, cylindrical, 3in. to 4in. long, tinged with green; segments white, linear, 2 1/2in. to 3in. long; peduncle ancipitous, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long. Bulb 4in. to 5in. in diameter; neck 6in. to 9in. long. Tropical Asia, 1732. Greenhouse. (B. M. 1073.) C. anomalum, C. declinatum (B. M. 2231), C. plicatum (B. M. 2908), C. procerum (B. M. 2684), and C. sinicum, are mere forms of this species.

C. augustum (august). fl. twelve to twenty in an umbel; perianth 3in. to 4in. long, tinged with red; scape lateral, 2ft. to 3ft. long, compressed. April. l. twenty to thirty, lorate, 2ft. to 3ft. long, 3in. to 4in. broad. Bulb ovoid, nearly 1ft. high and 6in. in diameter. Mauritius, 1818. Stove. One of the most effective species of the genus. (B. M. 2397.) C. australe (Southern). A synonym of C. pedunculatum. C. Balfourii (Balfour's).* fl. ten to twelve in an umbel, very fragrant; perianth tube greenish, 2in. long; segments pure white, oblanceolate, 2in. long, 1/2in. broad at the middle; peduncle axillary, compressed, 1 1/2ft. long. October. l. ten to twelve, lorate, spreading, about 1ft. long. Bulb 3in. in diameter; neck short Socotra, 1880. Stove. (B. M. 6570.) C. brachynema (short-filamented). fl. fifteen to twenty in an umbel; perianth tube green, 1 1/2in. to 1 3/4in. long; limb pure white, 2in. long, with oblanceolate obtuse segments; scape 1ft. long, little compressed. May. l. lorate, developed after the flowers, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 3in. to 3 1/2in. broad. Blub ovoid, 2 1/2in. to 3in. in diameter. Bombay Presidency, 1840.