Flora MacLean discarding flower heads from the Hynish bulb farm
Photograph of Flora MacLean discarding flower heads from the Hynish bulb farm, photographed by the Sunday Express in May 1957.
Courtesy of Sunday Express
Flora MacLean of Kenovay was photographed by the Sunday Express in 1957 discarding flower heads from the Hynish bulb farm. In the 1950s daffodil, tulip, narcissus and hyacinth bulbs were grown by a number of Tiree crofters to supply mainland hot-house growers with bulbs for forcing.
The busiest time was in the spring and summer. The flowers were removed to strengthen the bulbs which were dug up in June and graded according to size and condition. Large bulbs were exported to the mainland with the smaller ones replanted in the autumn for another year’s growth.
The initial outlay for ‘mother’ bulbs was high although spent bulbs could be purchased for a fraction of the cost. Unfortunately, the crop was decimated by diseases and pests, profit margins fell and the scheme petered out.
Black and white photograph of Flora MacLean of Druimfhraoich, Kenovay.
Flora MacLean of Druimfhraoich, Kenovay, discarding bulbs from the Hynish bulb farm, photographed by the Sunday Express in May 1957.