This week's checklist: Hippeastrum bulbs (Filed: 12/01/2002)

Jim Gardiner, curator of RHS Wisley, on things to do with bulbs, orchids, conservatories and garden machinery this week

Spring bulbs

FOR an early display, pot up Hippeastrum bulbs in a free-draining compost. Make sure the pot is clean and has sufficient drainage holes. Plant the bulb so that the top half is visible above the surface of the compost. Place in a warm position in the house or greenhouse to encourage good root growth and flowering.

Hyacinth bulbs can also be forced. Use a special hyacinth glass to hold the bulb just above water level and watch the roots rapidly grow to fill the glass while the flower develops to fill the room with a wonderful scent.

Daffodils and snowdrops are beginning to emerge above ground. Take care not to damage the shoots when working in the borders or walking across the lawn.

Orchids

This is peak season for orchids as many wonderful hybrids are coming into flower. Most of the modern ones are epiphytic - they grow on other plants - but they can be cultivated successfully in pots.

The moth orchid, Phalaenopsis, is one of the most popular because of its wonderful flowers. It needs a well-drained compost, which must be kept moist throughout the year, and a shady place in a conservatory or greenhouse.

Conservatory and glasshouse

Care must be taken to make sure no plants suffer from botrytis, which spreads rapidly in the warmly humid conditions of a greenhouse or conservatory.

Botrytis appears as a fuzzy, grey, fungal growth on leaves and stems. If the infection is bad the plants will discolour and rapidly deteriorate. To stop it spreading, clear up dead and dying material, space plants further apart and provide air circulation by opening vents during the day.

Garden machinery

Repair and service idle mowers, leaf blowers and hedge cutters before they are needed later in the year.

The three main requirements for long-lasting machinery are clean oil, air and fuel. Store machines in a well-ventilated, dry atmosphere. Check all the filters are serviceable and replace where necessary.

Maintenance is just as important with electric machines. Check for damage to plugs and cables and make sure an approved electrician tests the RCD circuit breaker once a year.

Remember to get an engineer to sharpen blades after a season of use as an unbalanced blade will damage the machine.

With thanks to the team at RHS Wisley (01483 224234; www.rhs.org.uk/wisley)

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002