Curtonus

(Curto'nus)

DESCRIPTION: This is a bulbous plant from South Africa. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and has spikes of red and yellow flowers. It produces its flowers in the summer from spring-planted bulbs or in late winter or spring from bulbs planted in a cool (night temperature 45-50 degrees) greenhouse in the fall.

POTTING: These plants can be planted outside after danger of frost is passed, they should be planted 4 inches deep in fertile soil in a sunny location. They may be lifted when the leaves have died down in the fall and stored in sand, safe from frost in the winter. They can also be grown in pots, for early spring bloom, by planting several corms (bulbs) 2 inches apart and 2 inches deep in containers of fertile, well-drained soil in September. Place them in a sunny greenhouse that has a night temperature of 45-50 degrees and a day temperature that has a 5- to 10-degree rise.

PROPAGATION: The offsets or small bulbs may be detached and potted when Curtonus are repotted in the spring.

VARIETIES: C. paniculatus.

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