SEEDS and BULBS
Sparaxis
SparaxisSparxis is a happy flower, its bright coloring brings an atmosphere of celebration, joy to the garden. There is no doubt that one of its species in the USA is called the harlequin flower. However, to achieve a festive effect, it is necessary to plant dozens of bulbs.
Iris
IrisThe iris or iris is a perennial herbaceous plant that gives us enchanting flowers with a huge variety of colors in the garden and on the balcony. It is no coincidence that, in Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow. The iris is planted in the fall and gives us its impressive flowering in the spring with wonderful flowers that stand out for their delicacy and attractive appearance. And from colors? Blue, white, red, yellow, orange and even black! There are also beautiful two-tone irises with color combinations. We can decorate the iris flowers in the living room, making blooming bouquets that we keep in a vase for 2-3 weeks. There are many species and varieties of iris that grow naturally in southern Europe and China, while in the Greek area we can find wild endemic species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Irises are divided into rhizomatous species that grow roots and bear buds, and bulbous species where the iris grows from a bulb. Among the cultivated varieties, we find low iris species with a height of up to 10-30 cm, medium height of 30-70 cm and taller ones with a height of 70-120 cm. The impressive flowers of the iris have a size that reaches 10-15 cm. The best known variety of iris is the German iris that gives blue flowers, which is also referred to as blue lily or wild lily. Note that most iris varieties are planted in autumn, but there are also some Dutch varieties that can be planted in spring.
Anemone
AnemoneAnemone is an easy plant that does not need special cultivation care to bloom. We choose sunny or semi-shady places to plant anemones. Although the anemone is resistant to cold winter temperatures, we prefer to plant it in sheltered positions, as it is sensitive to strong winds tearing the petals of its flowers. We plant the anemone tubers at a depth of about 3-4 centimeters and at distances of 15-20 centimeters between them. In order for them to sprout faster, before planting, make sure to place the anemone tubers for 1-2 hours in water. If we plant on a balcony, we choose pots or planters with a low height and place the anemones in positions facing south or west. Although the anemone is relatively resistant to disease and insect attacks, it is advisable to spray preventively with a solution of grated green soap to deal with the meligra insect. Meligra is a significant problem for anemones, as it sucks the plant tissues and creates characteristic honeydew on the leaves of the plants. In conditions of dense planting where we have increased humidity, temperature and poor ventilation, the fungal disease of rust can develop which affects the leaves of the anemone. To deal with rust, we spray with a copper solution, while at the same time removing and destroying the affected leaves, as they are foci of infection.
Narcissus
NarcissusNarcissus is a spectacular bulbous flower that is planted in autumn and blooms in late winter or early spring. Native to the Mediterranean, the narcissus is a profuse bloomer with beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers that emerge on slender stems through the elongated leaves. We find it in a wide variety of colors from white, white-yellow, yellow-orange, reddish to pink. Narcissus has many different species and varieties. In the Greek area, there are several types, the best known being the zampaki or tsampaki, which in the area of Crete is called manousaki. The plant reaches a height of 30-40 cm, and forms a cluster of about 10 white flowers with a yellow center. A well-known type of narcissus is the Poetic narcissus, about 40 cm high, which forms a single white flower with a reddish center, as well as the late narcissus, about 20 cm high, with small white flowers. Very popular species from abroad are the fragrant narcissus which bears yellow flowers and the multi-flowered narcissus which bears many small white flowers.
Narcissus grows very easily in almost all types of soil, but prefers well-drained soils. It needs a sunny or semi-shaded environment to thrive, while it does not bloom in the shade. Sunny locations have the advantage of partial shade, as after flowering, sunshine contributes to the next year’s flowering. Daffodil planting takes place from August to December and flowering occurs in winter or spring depending on the variety and the season of planting. The daffodil bulb is planted at a depth of about 10 cm and at distances of 10-15 cm between the bulbs. To plant the daffodil in a pot, we use general-purpose potting soil and give it good drainage by drilling holes in the bottom of the pot for water to escape along with a layer of gravel at the base.
Tulip
TulipThe tulip is one of the most beautiful and impressive bulbous flowers that we plant in the garden in autumn. Of course, we can plant tulips in a pot as well, while we even meet them wild making their appearance in the mountains of our country during the spring season. There are tulips in different shapes and sizes with countless color combinations to choose from, with double petals and more complex flowers. Tulips are also particularly popular in florists, where their flowers come from special varieties grown in greenhouses for cut flower production. The tulip has its peculiarities! It needs a cool sunny environment to thrive, while in a dry environment it does not show good growth and flowering. Tulip bulbs are planted in October and November in pots, planters, as well as in flower beds in the garden to see them bloom in early spring. We place each bulb at a depth of about 8-10 cm, with the tip of the bulb upwards and at distances of 10-20 cm between them. For planting the tulip in a pot, we use fertile potting soil, rich in nutrients. We choose shallower pots for the low varieties, deeper ones for the taller tulip varieties and place them in sunny places to give us their rich flowering.
Hyacinth
HyacinthSome call it hyacinth and others hyacinth! No matter how you say it, the intense intoxicating scent of its flowers remains unique! The hyacinth, therefore, is one of the most beautiful bulbous flowers for autumn planting that can be found in flower beds, in large gardens, as well as in pots on balconies, where it usually blooms 2-2.5 months after planting the bulb. Hyacinth is propagated mainly by bulbs, as it enters flowering more quickly than planting from seed. So we plant the bulb at a depth of about 8-12 cm, in the soil making sure that the nose (eye) of the bulb is upwards.
We place the hyacinth bulbs at distances between 15-20 cm for planting, so that we have better growth and flowering. Hyacinth grows best in sunny locations, sheltered from strong winds.
In order to preserve the bulbs of the hyacinth next year as well, we follow the following procedure: In the spring, when its flowering ends and when its foliage begins to dry, we stop watering. Gradually remove the hyacinth bulbs from the soil to clean them. Then we place them in a shady place to dry well and store them in a dry place, without moisture, in small or larger paper boxes, which have small holes for better ventilation.
