This pretty little plant is a native of the Cape, from
whence several roots of it have been received at various
times by Mr. Colvill: it is a very free growing sort, and
succeeds well in an equal mixture of light turfy loam, peat,
and sand, the same as the other tuberous-rooted sorts.
After it has done flowering, and the leaves decay, it will
require no more water, until it shows an inclination to grow
again, which is generally in November or December; it
will then require shifting into a fresh pot, and the greatest
part of the dry mould to be taken from its roots; if the
mould be moist in which it is planted, no water will be required
for the first two or three days; but as it begins to
grow, it will require a more frequent supply, being always
careful to give a good soaking each time, that the mould
may be properly wetted through, and not to give any again
until the soil is quite dry, as we have frequently seen plants
loose their leaves when in flower, without any apparent
cause; but when we have turned the plant out of the pot,
we have observed the mould has been very wet for an inch
or two deep, and the lower part has been as dry as if there
had never been a drop of water upon it; by this means the
young fibres have all been dead with drought, which immediately
accounted for the unhealthiness of the plant; and
we believe that many good plants are lost by this one inattention.
The present plant will readily produce seeds; and if
set with its own pollen, the young plants will all be true to
their species; it may also be increased by the little tubers of
its roots, in the same manner as the other tuberous-rooted
sorts.