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Urginea maritima Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Cultivation Notes: Succeeds in ordinary garden soil according to one report[1], whilst another says that it requires a very free draining gritty or sandy soil in full sun[200]. The bulbs have a summer resting period and should be kept dry at this time[188]. Some protection from winter wet is strongly recommended[200]. Easily grown in a warm sunny position[90]. A very ornamental plant, it is not very hardy in Britain according to one report[1], whilst another says that it can be grown in N. European gardens[200] though it does not flower very freely there[90, 200]. Another report says that the plant can tolerate temperatures down to about -7°c[238]. The bulb should be only partially buried[200]. This species is cultivated in the Mediterranean area for its use in the drug industry[238]. The bulbs are harvested after 6 years growth with a yield of about 25,000 bulbs per hectare[238]. There are two main forms of this species, one has a white bulb and the other has a red one. The red bulb is the form that is used as a rat poison whilst the white bulb is used as a cardiotonic. Another report says that herbalists do not distinguish between the two forms[4]. Only the red form contains the rat poison 'scilliroside', though both forms can be used medicinally[238]. The bulb is very tenacious of life, one specimen that had been stored for 20 years in a museum was found to be trying to grow[4]. A good bee plant[89]. For further Urginea maritima gardening information |
