Babiana

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Babiana

Description of Babiana

Highly ornamental bulbous plants (<ird. Iridea;) which are very pleasing in the garden, or in pots for conservatory or window decoration.

They resemble the Ixias, and grow from 1" to 10" high, producing spikes of richly coloured flowers and dark green, hairy leaves.

Propagation of Babiana

By offsets, taken off when the plants are at rest, and afterwards grown on in good soil until large enough to flower. Also by seeds sown in pots and pans, and placed under glass in a slight heat.

They may be sown when ripe, or later, and the seedlings grown on as in the case of tbe small offsets.

Soil of Babiana

A light, sandy soil, enriched with decayed manure, is best.

Other Cultural Points of Babiana

Pot culture is most satisfactory; but Babianas may also be grown in sunny places in thegarden, in light, well-drained soil.

If planted in autumn, they will need protection with straw or other litter, or cocoanut fibre. Plant the corms with the crown 3" below the surface.

Remove the covering in March. For pots plant from October to January in 4" pots, using five bulbs to a pot, or more if a larger size is used.

Loam, leaf soil, and silver sand form a good compost. Plunge the pots in ashes in a cold frame, and give no water until some growth is made. When they have made growth they may be removed to the greenhouse, or where they are to bloom. Give plenty of air and water when growing.

Principal Species of Babiana

[Note. For ordinary purposes mixed Babianas,

BABIANA STUICTA - which can be bought from the bulb dealer, are quite good enough.]

disticha, 6", Je., Jy., bl. A pretty, fragrant species, close to plicata, and described as a var. of it by some botanists.

ringens, 8", Je., sc. A very handsome and effective plant.

stricta, 9", My., wh., bl. A valuable species, of which there are several vars, e.g. angustifolia, bl. ; rubro-cyanea, bl., crim. ; sulphurea, pale yel. ; and villosa, crim.

Other Species of Babiana

plicata, 6", Je., bl. socotrana, 4", Sep., bl.

sambucina, 9, My., pur. teuuiflora, 6", Je., pur.