Planting the bulb
Start your bulb in a pot about 4 inches (10 cm) wide. Use a
fast-draining soil mix, such as 1 part potting soil to 1 part
perlite If your bulb has leaves - keep the soil evenly moist (but not fully saturated). The first month, keep it between about 65 and 78 degrees F (18-26°C) during the day (a little cooler at night is ok). If your bulb is dormant and has no leaves - keep the soil lightly moist throughout (not fully saturated) until it sprouts, which should be 1 to 4 months, depending on when it went dormant. Until it sprouts, try to keep it between about 65 and 78 degrees F (18-26°C) during the day (a little cooler at night is ok). It likes mostly-sunny conditions, or very bright artificial light. But avoid giving strong sun the first month to prevent burning. Growing onward.. Climate -- It comes from a cool, maritime climate and is untested in warmer climates. It is accustomed to temperatures between 45 and 80 degrees F (7-27° C) during the growing period of October to May (April to November in the Southern hemisphere). In hotter conditions, shade it from strong afternoon sun, and keep the roots cool by shading the pot, perhaps by placing it inside a second pot made of clay. The plant reportedly is not frost hardy and declines below 40 degrees F (5° C). Watering: Aim to the keep soil evenly moist throughout the growing season. Avoid letting it dry out completely, but also avoid keeping it soggy. Feeding -- This species has moderate to average fertilizer requirements. Feed about every 2-3 months with an all-purpose fertilizer, following the dosage on the package. As the bulb grows, it's ok if the top 1/3 of it is exposed. Dormancy -- During the summer, it sometimes doesn't go dormant, although it may shed some or all of its leaves. If it goes dormant or appears to be semi-dormant, reduce watering and stop feeding until new growth appears in Autumn. Don't let the soil dry out completely, because the bulb keeps its roots while dormant, unlike some other bulbs. Repotting -- After about a year, or when the bulb is about 1.5 inches (4 cm wide), move it to a pot about 1 quart (1 liter) in size or slightly larger, where it can stay until it flowers. Avoid disturbing the roots when repotting. Avoid repotting it again before it flowers, or it may delay flowering. Pests to watch for - Mealy bugs might attack the bulbs indoors. To control mealybugs, try using an insecticidal soap soil drench. Have fun growing it! - Jeff Strange Wonderful Things
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If you tend to overwater your plants, use extra perlite. Plant
the neck of the bulb at soil level or slightly below.