Chlidanthus

(Chlidan'thus)

DESCRIPTION: This is a tender bulb from Peru, which belongs to the Amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae. It has large, spherical bulbs out of which grow slender, grayish-green leaves. Yellow flowers, resembling the Narcissus, are produced in clusters of three or four, atop 10-inch high stalks in the summer.

POTTING: When this plant is grown outside, it should be planted in the spring, 3 inches deep, in well-drained soil. It needs plenty of sunshine. After the foliage has withered in the autumn, the bulbs are lifted and stored for the winter. In very mild climates you can keep them outdoors all year. When planting in the greenhouse, the bulbs are also potted in the spring. Cover them with an inch of soil consisting of equal parts of peat, loam and leaf mold and place in a cold frame or greenhouse. Water them carefully until they've formed a good root system. When they are in active growth, the soil should be kept moist. When growth has ceased, water is gradually lessened and the bulbs are kept in an area protected from frost in pots of dry soil.

PROPAGATION: The offsets may be removed and potted in the spring.

VARIETIES: C. fragrans.

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