This article throws light upon the top fifteen types of bulbous plants. The types are: 1. Amaryllis (Amaryllidaceae) 2. Begonia sp. (Begoniaceae) 3. Canna Indica (Cannaceae) 4. Crinum Bulbispermum Syn. C. Longifolium (Amaryllidaceae) 5. Freesia-Freesia Refrecta (Iridaceae) 6. Cerbera Jamesonii (Compositae) 7. Glorosia Superba (Liliaceae) 8. Haemanthes Multiflorus (Amaryllidaceae) and a few others too.
Type # 1. Amaryllis (Amaryllidaceae):
It is commonly called as Belladonna lily, King or Star lily. It is native of South Africa. It is an excellent for bedding, pot, window boxes, green houses, borders, etc. Flowers are sold in the market as cut flowers. The plants are about 75-90 cm tall and leaves are long, dark green and strap shaped.
The flowers are large (15-20 cm across), trumpet shaped and are borne in umbels having 3-7 florets in small flowered varieties whereas 2-4 florets of giant size in Dutch hybrids. The colour of flower varies from white, deep pink, dark red, scarlet, crimson, salmon to orange. In some varieties flowers also bear stripes on white with red or white stripes on solid colours. There are numerous varieties available.
The important varieties are;
Snow white (2 flower-white), Taurus (2 flower-pale pinkish red), Leo (2 flower-pale carmine), Jupiter (3 flower-bright scarlet), James (3 flower- orange scarlet), Picture (3 flower-scarlet), Beautiful (3 flower-deep orange scarlet), Apollo (4 flower-deep vermillion), Star of India (4 flower-deep scarlet), Mount Everest (4 flower- pure white), Black Prince (4 flower-crimson).
Other important varieties are:
Pink Indira, Silver Lining, White Queen, Snow Queen, Royal Ruby, Red Majesty, Red Master, Christiana Day, Christiana Joy, etc.
Type # 2. Begonia sp. (Begoniaceae):
It is native of Mexico, Central and South America, Asia and South Africa. The genus includes about 1200 species and numerous hybrids, mutants and chance seedlings. The genus has been named by Charles Plumier (1960) after his patron Michel Begon.
Begonias are grouped into three main classes according to root types i.e., Rhizomatous (Begonia red), tuberous (B. tuber-hybrida) and fibrous (B. semperflorens). Out of three types rhizomatous and fibrous rooted are grown in the plains whereas tuberous rooted can be grown successfully in hills.
Begonias are ideally suited for pot growing, hanging baskets, window gardens, bed and rock garden. They are prized for their attractive leaves and flowers. In the plains, rhizomatous and fibrous types can be planted in October-November and flowers are produced in February-March.
If care is not taken, plants die during June-July. Different methods of propagation are employed for different types of begonia. Division of tubers and rhizomes is done for further propagation. Leaf cutting method is also employed for rhizomatous types whereas seeds are used for fibrous types. Frequent application of liquid manure is beneficial for growth and flowering.
The important varieties of rhizomatous Begonia are:
Peace Majesty, Silver Queen, Emperor Mikado, Can Can, Crimson Glory, Black Knight, Curly Star Dust, Dew Drop, etc. The important varieties of fibrous rooted are: Goldilock, Bo-Peep, Little Gem, Ballet, Lady Frances, Pink Jewel, Flamengo, Cindrella, Charm, Silver Star, Pink Camellia, etc. The tuberous rooted Begonias are valued for their attractive flowers and are grouped into Rose form, Camellia flowered, Carnation flowered, Daffodil flowered or Picotee.
Type # 3. Canna Indica (Cannaceae):
It is native of tropical America and is commonly called as ‘Indian shot’. Plants are perennial, herbaceous, tall growing about 1 m and with green stem. Leaves are 20-60 cm long, lanceolate, green and in some cases variegated and bronze red.
Modern varieties of canna are divided into two classes:
(i) Orchid flowering:
In this group flowers do not open together but open one by one e.g. Golden Glory, Salmon Yellow, Carmine King, Copper Giant, Golden Wedding, King Humbert, etc.
(ii) Truss flowering:
In this group, flowers mostly open together and form large head. Most of the newer creations are in this class which is used for impressive display of colour. Present day canna varieties are mainly classified according to their height. Tall varieties which grow about 1.0-1.5 m tall and are very useful for big parks and large areas.
Important varieties are:
Red colour—Statue of liberty, The President, The Ambassador, Carmine King, Cleopatra; Orange colour—American Beauty, Copper Giant, Sunset, Coles; Pink—Alipur Beauty, Candilabra, Apricot King, Dorris, Prince of Wales; Yellow—Master Piece, Enchantress, Buttercup, Aurora Borealis; White—White Queen and Radio. Dwarf varieties grow 0.5 to 1 m. Important varieties are: Orange—Orange Glory, Orange Plume, Fairly, Cleopatra; Pink—Hungaria, Orange King, Departing Day; Yellow—Apricot and Star Cust.
There are number of varieties which have spotted or streaked flowers of different colours. These varieties are preferred over self-coloured varieties. Important varieties are: Red with yellow border—Queen Charolette; Yellow spotted red—Mikado, Yellow King Humbert, Percy Lancaster, Gladiator, Mrs. Lancaster; Deep orange with orange yellow border—Rosamund coles.
In some varieties foliage is also attractive being different from common green leaves. Bronze leaved varieties are preferred for its ornamental foliage beauty. Important varieties are: Black knight, La Globe, King Humbert. Variety with variegated leaves is Trinacria variegata.
Canna is a rhizomatous plant and is very easily propagated by dividing the rhizomes into 10-15 cm pieces during end of June. These pieces are kept in cooler place for rest before planting. For evolving new varieties, sexual method of propagation is used. Seeds are black in colour and have hard seed coats. Scarification is done for quick germination of seeds.
Before planting the Canna in first fortnight of July, the beds are prepared thoroughly by digging 60 cm deep and applying 5-20 kg well rotten farmyard manure per sq m. Divided clumps are planted 15 cm deep at the distance of 60 cm between rowti and plants. Regular weeding and hoeing is done. It takes about 4 months to flower after planting and after that flowering continues.
Type # 4. Crinum Bulbispermum Syn. C. Longifolium (Amaryllidaceae):
It is commonly called as Sudarshan or Sukhdarshan or St. John lily or cape lily and is native of South Africa. It is ideally suited for bigger pots, alongside the paths, on the edge of a pool. Bulbs are planted in February-March. Plant has strap shaped long leaves. Flowers of white coloured flushes with red are produced in a scape on long and stout stem.
Other important species are:
C. moorii, C. powelli, C. latifolium and C. zeylanicum.
Type # 5. Freesia-Freesia Refrecta (Iridaceae):
It is a native of South Africa. It is highly suitable for pot, window gardens and cut flowers. It can be propagated through corms which are planted in September-October in plains of India. Plant grows about 30 cm and leaves are linear, flowers are very fragrant, funnel shaped and is produced on wiry spikes during March.
Flower colour varies from white, creamy white, lilac blue, orange, pink, red, mauve and bronze. Modern varieties are hybrids of species F. refrecta and F. armstrongii.
Important varieties in separate colours are:
White Swan (white), Pink Giant (Pink with white throat), Gold Coast (orange- yellow), Margaret (purple), and Sapphire (Blue), Rynveld’s Golden yellow (yellow). Cultural aspects are quite similar to those mentioned for gladiolus.
Type # 6. Cerbera Jamesonii (Compositae):
It is native of South Africa and is commonly called as Transvaal Daisy or Africa Daisy. It is highly suitable for bedding, rock gardens, and pots and is a prized cut flower. Plants are dwarf and perennial herbs. Leaves are lobe and wooly beneath. Flowers are produced on slender stalk of orange florets but other colours like scarlet, yellow and white are also available.
Plants are propagated by division of clumps or seeds which should be sown immediately otherwise they fail to germinate due to their short viability period. G. jamesonii florepleno is another important strain which produce fully perfect symmetrical double flowers in red, orange and yellow colours. G. virdifolia another species from South Africa also produces attractive daisy like flowers on slender peduncle.
Type # 7. Glorosia Superba (Liliaceae):
It is commonly called as Glory Lily and is native of tropical Asia (India and Ceylon). It is suitable for growing in ground and pot and is a good cut flower. The tubers of pencil thickness are planted horizontally in March-April. It is a tall, twining plant which blooms during late rainy season i.e., September-October.
Flowers are smaller with narrow but crisped petals, first green, changing to yellow and finally to orange red. Another species, G. superba lutea produces entirely yellow flowers.
Other important species are:
G. carsonii, G. simplex, G. rothschildiana and G. verschurri.
Type # 8. Haemanthes Multiflorus (Amaryllidaceae):
It is native of tropical Africa and is commonly known as Blood flower or Red cape lily. It is commonly grown in pots. Plants are medium tall with oblong leaves. Flowers are puffy of scarlet red colour which is produced on long stem (30 cm) in spring and summer months. Plants are dormant in winter months. The bulbs are separated in February-March for further plantation.
Type # 9. Hedychium-Alpinia Speciosa (Zingiberaceae):
It is commonly called as Shell Ginger and is a native of Sikkim and Bhutan. Plants are 1.0-1.5 m tall and leaves of about 30-40 cm length are produced on long canes. Flowers of white flushed with pink colour are produced in February-March. Plants are best grown in semi-shade.
Type # 10. Hemerocallis Fulva (Liliaceae):
It is popularly called as Day lily and is native of Siberia-Japan. It is highly suitable for foundation planting, or near pools or in shrubbery. It is a vigourous perennial herb with long linear leaves. Flowers are produced during April-June on long (60-90 cm) stalks which are showy campanulate. Flower colour varies from light yellow, dark yellow, orange, purple to red. Propagation is done through division of rhizomes during the month of March.
Type # 11. Spider lily—Hymenocallis Litterolis syn. Pancratium Littorale (Amaryllidaceae):
It is native of South America and has been naturalized in India. It is highly suitable for pot, growing near lily pools, or alongside walks or paths on a large rockery under big trees. The plants are tall 60-90 cm having strap like long leaves of light green colour. White flowers are produced in umbels of 9-10 flowers. At a time 2-3 flowers open. The flowers have six long, narrow segments united at the base by a thin membranous cup or corona. It is commercially grown around Mumbai where flowers are sold in the market. Individual flowers are used in making garlands.
Type # 12. Iris sp. (Iridaceae):
It is a native of South East Asia and Southern Europe and is known as Flag flower. It is suitable for group planting near lily pools, rocky and in shady situations. Leaves of light green colour are pointed at the apex. Different species of Iris are grouped into two main classes i.e., tuberous and bulbous types.
The species is native to Himalaya like I. kashmeriana, I. nepalensis and I. kamaonensis are rhizomatous which are comparatively easy growing. The rhizomes are planted in October and plants flower in March. Every year fresh planting is not necessary and plants can be left in the ground.
The colour of I. nepalensis is pale lilac whereas that of I. kamaonensis and I. kashmeriana is white and purple mottled. Other important species are I. cristata, I. susiana, I. siberica, I. kaempferi (Japanese iris) etc. The commercial varieties of German Iris (rhizomatous) are King Midas, Petrea, Black Panther, Sahara etc.
The bulbous Iris is native of Holland, Spain and England. These are highly suitable for group planting, borders and cut flowers. It is available in wide range of colours. The bulbs are planted in September-October about 10 cm deep.
Flowering occurs during February-March.
The important species of this group are:
I. tuberosa, I. hollandica, I. danfordiae, I. reticulata, etc. The important varieties of Dutch Iris are; Blue Champion, Harmony, Lemon Queen, King Mauve, White Excelsior, and Bronze Beauty whereas Cajanus, Enchamress, King of Blues, Le Mogol, Summer Time are common varieties of Spanish Iris.
Type # 13. Lilium sp. (Liliaceae):
It is native of China, Japan, Himalaya region, Burma, Central Europe, North America and Canada and is commonly called as Lily. In the garden, lilies are used in various ways. Lilies are most ideally suited for borders, edging, rock gardens, pots, as a cut flower and decorations. There is a large number of Lilium species and their hybrids.
The important species are L. nepalense, L. wallichianum, L. polyphyllum. These are native of Himalaya region and L. niligiriensis is a native of Nilgiri hills. The shape, size, colour and arrangement of leaves vary according to species and hybrids. Leaves are alternative, lanceolate arranged spirally on the stem in L. regale and L. centifolium whereas in many American lilies leaves are broad-lanceolate, scattered on upper parts of the stem.
More broader Lanceolate and opposite leaves are found in L. auratum, K. japonicum, L. rubellum, L. speciosum, etc. Flowers on stem are arranged either in recemose (L. dauidii, L. martagon, L. leucanthemum) or umbellate (L. bulbiferum, L. oburicum). There is mixture of both types in hybrids.
There are three shapes of flowers found in lilies i.e.:
i. Turk’s Cap (L. martagon, L. davidii, L. henryi, L. callosum);
ii. Saucer shape (L. dauricum, L. concolor, L. bulbiferum, L. phildelphicum)-,
iii. Funnel or trumpet shape (L. regale, L. u allichianum, L. sargentiae, L. sulphurum).
In India, lilies are mostly grown in hills but lilies like L. longiflorum do well in plains also. These are planted in October and flowers are obtained in March. The soil should be fertile, porous and well drained. Water logged soils are not good. The depth of planting differs from species to species. Some species prefer shallow planting (L. candidum, L. giganteum) and some deep planting i.e., 15-20 cm deep (L. auratum, L. speciosum, L. regale, L. trigrinum, L. longiflorum).
The bed should be prepared thoroughly by digging 60 cm deep and manure should be added adequately. Liberal but adequate watering should be done avoiding water logging conditions. Lilies being a bulbous plant are propagated through bulbs, scales, bulbils and bulblets. Seeds take long time (5-7 years) to produce flowers. After flowering has been over bulbs are not lifted from the ground every year. It is done after 3-4 years. Older bulbs are separated before planting.
Type # 14. Narcissus and Daffodils—Narcissus sp. (Amaryllidaceae):
It is commonly called as Nargis and is native of Asia, North Africa and Europe. Botanically both belong to same genus but differ in the size of cup or corona of the flower. In daffodils the cup or corona is large whereas in Narcissus it is small. They are highly suitable for growing in beds, pots, under the deciduous trees, window gardens, etc. They are very good cut flower and are sold in the market. There are several species but common species are N. triandrus, N. bulbocodium, N. poeticus, N. aurantiacus, N. albus, N. tazetta, N. tazetta papyraceus, N. odorus, N. jonquilla, N. cyclamineus, N. obuallaris.
In the plains of north India, the bulbs are planted in October. Soil should be well fertile, sandy loam. Planting is done 20 cm apart and 7-10 cm deep. Flowering occurs during February-March. After flowering water is withheld. Leaves dry and bulbs can be left in soil for 2-3 years as such without disturbing them. After three years, bulbs are lifted from the ground and separated during April-May and are stored at cool place. Again fresh planting is done.
The standard classification of Narcissus sp., and varieties is done into eleven groups but broadly it can be divided into two conventional groups i.e., Daffodils and Narcissus. The important varieties of Daffodils are: King Alfred (Yellow trumpet), Queen of Bi-colours (Bi-colour trumpet), Mount Hood, Beersheba (White trumpet), Golden Harvest (Yellow), Empress of Ireland (White), Flower Record (Creamy white), Golden Yellow (Crown edged bright red). Music Hall (Petals creamy white with golden yellow trumpet).
The common varieties of Narcissus are:
Geranium (White petals, cup deep orange red), Poeticus Red Run (White petal and cup with yellow shading and a broad red rim), Poeticus Snow King (Glistening white petals and cup with yellow centre and edge of red), and Paper White (Small white fragrant flowers).
Type # 15. Tulip (Tulipa Hybrida): Liliaceae.
Tulip ranks first amongst bulbous crop in popularity and occupies highest acreage and cut flower production in the world. Although tulip is a national flower of Iran and Turkey but tulip and Holland are synonyms for each other.
In the vicinity of Leiden (Holland) where tulip was found growing in 16th century, now billions of tulip bulbs are being grown every year not only for bulb production but for cut flower production too. The cut flowers are in great demand during November-April otherwise flowers are being produced most of the time of the year. Holland commands highest bulb and cut flower production and export to almost all the countries of the world.
Tulip name comes from the turban of Iran and Turkish’s custom due to resemblance of unopened tulip flower with the turban. It is most showy flower comprising of three colourful sepals and 3 petals each of same colour, shape and size in single form.
Tulips are available in most of colours including white, yellow, orange, red, salmon, black, purple and more except true blue. The shape of flowers varies from elongated to cup shaped, bowl shaped and plain petals to crested or flathery or crisp or parrot type. This is the flower which is most widely embroidered or painted.
It is native of southern Europe, North Africa, Asia from Anatolia and Iran to east to North of China and Japan. The centre of diversity of this genus is in the Pamir, Hind Kush and Kazakhstan. Tulip is a genus of about 100 species and Tulipa stellata is a native of Kumaon hills of Himalaya region of India. In the 16th century, tulips are brought to Holland from Turkey and quickly became widely popular. Tulip mania prevailed in Holland in 17th century and Holland people traded bulbs literally for a fortune.
It is commercially cultivated in Holland, Italy, Spain and France. It is very popular in the gardens of U.S.A., Canada, Europe and other places as early spring flower. Tulip production dominates in Holland where it is being grown in about 10,800 ha followed by Japan (300 ha), France (293 ha), Poland (200 ha), Germany (155 ha) and New Zealand (127 ha).
In all Holland produces about 4.32 billion tulip bulbs out of which 2.3 billion of bulbs are exported and 1.3 billion tulip bulbs are plated for cut flower and bulb production. In India, its commercial cultivation is being commenced in temperate region of Kashmir (J&K) where 15,00,000 bulbs of different varieties have been imported from Holland to produce flowers and bulbs. It will be biggest garden of tulip and will make a spectacular display of tulip varieties and will be a great attraction for the tourists during spring i.e. April to May.
There are about 3000 cultivated varieties registered and many more are added every year. Tulips come in a huge variety of bright colour including white, yellow, pink, orange, red, black, purple, bi-colour and more. Generally cultivars are grouped by flower form, height and time taken to bloom.
Flower form reflects, singleness, doubleness or plain or fringed petals where height means short (less than 20 cm), medium (20-45 cm) and tall means more than 45 cm. These varieties are classified in following group as advocated by Royal General Bulb growers association in 1996.
Single Earlies:
Cultivar are mostly short stemmed easily flower and highly suitable for formal planting. Important cvs. are Keisers kroon (bright red edged without yellow). Rising Sun (golden yellow); General Da Wet (soft orange); Pink Beauty (brilliant cherry- rose with white stripes).
Double Earlies:
These cvs. are mainly short stemmed and early flowering. Important cvs. are Mr. Van der Hoef (bright clean yellow); vuurback and Scarlet Cai Nival (red); Electra (Deep rosy violet).
Single Late Tulips:
These cvs are single flowered, mainly long stemmed and late flowering.
Darwin Hybrid Tulip:
These cvs. are mid seasoned long stemmed (60-90 cm) and single flowered cup shape flowers. Important cvs are : Gloria Swanson (crimson); Scotch Lassie (deep lavender); Zwanen Burg (pure white); Bishop (dark purple); Niphetos (soft yellow); Father Hugos Rose (Rose).
Lily Flowered:
These cvs. have pointed and curled back petals with variable stem length single and mid or late season. These cvs. are very graceful and high in demand as cut tulip. Important cvs. are: Captain Fryatt (reddish violet), White Duchess (white), Yankee Girl (Buffy salmon).
Cottage tulips:
These eves have larger flower than Darwin. Important cvs are Advance (red); Rosabella (Pink), Marjorie Bowen (Salmon); Golden Harvest (deep lemon yellow).
Breeders:
These cvs are of unusual art shades and smoky overlays of hazy lavender or purple and excellent as cut flower.
Late Doubles:
These cvs are late and heavy so need a stake during rains. Important cvs are Eros—(rosy lavender); Mount Tacoma (white); Uncle Tom (blackish red).
Parrots:
These cvs are single flowered with fringed, curled and twisted petal and bold splashes of green on their outer petals and look like as made of feather. Important cvs are Red Champion; Violet Queen, Sunshine, Scarlet Therese, Fantasy (salmon pink).
Rembrandt:
The cvs of this group have flower with broken flower colour, striped or marked with brown, bronze, black, red, pink or purple on red, white background.