WORK FOR THE WEEK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8698, 11 August 1906, Page 3

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

To Gardners. Greenhouse. — August is the first busy month of .spring, stf far as regards peeing; but this work, like many other items, must be regulated according to conveniences and command of artificial V heat. Where there is a good supply of artificial heat, the work may (and should) be done at once, but in. gardens where littie more than sun heat is to b© had, the end of the month is quite early enough. Once the plants are put into larger pfcts and fresih soil they should be kept in a warm, genial temperature for two or three weeks, to give them a (start. It may happen that a number of plants are in pots as large ■ as it is convenient to have them; they . fehould be turned out, the ball reduced by removing as much soil as possible ■■-„ from the roots, and the pots . washed before the plants are returned to them. Plants treated thus should have rather richer soil than if they were oring transferred to larger pots. Asparagus. >—Ti_e several ."varieties of these useful iplants should be given larger pots. A. y sprengeri neecus quite a liberal siiift to secure the; best results. It is the grossest feeder oi the family, and if allowed to want for food, it will soon turn qufite brown aiid lose its decorative value. A mistake is often made in preparing the potting compost for these plants by making it too light and porous. The only variety that requires rather light' soil is A. pluniosa. All other varieties should have fairly heavy soil, a little soot to give colour to the foliage, and a few small nodules of charcoal to keep the oompost sweet. This, with efficient drainage, will secure good results. Bougainvilleas, where grown in pots or tubs, should be shaken out, the roots shortened back,' v and repotted in pots just large enough to take the roots, shifting them after a : few weeks into the pots they are to ' flower in. Ferns— As many as possible should be re-potted this month. It is not wise to repot all at one time, but all -hould be finished . by the end ,of September. Gloxinias should be shaken out and put in fresh, clean pots. Large bulbs should be put into their flower- \ ing pots at once, but smaller conns in ;. Bmafl pots, with a view, of giving larger pots during October. Fuchsias — Large plants should be shaken out, their roots shortened back, and put into light, rich Boil. 'Use small pots at first, then give a liberal shift as soon as. these pots are well filled with roots. As the new growthspush out, they need careful atj fcention, as at many joints two or three < shoots will be formed, which should be } reduced to one. Palms need rich soil, but not over large pots. Pelargoniums —^■Show and decorative varieties will need constant attention from this date on. The first batch should be in their flowering pots, and the second about ready for this shift. It is safer to re-pot this plant a little too soon than • too late, as once the roots receive a check they form their flower buds, therefore (_eep them growing fast until they are n their final pots. Give them ample , space to prevent damping, and water with caution, as very uttLe will be re?uired for some time after re-potting. Ilumbago • capensis is a very pretty flowering^ plant for the conservatory, , and easdy grown, as it requires but little . heat and, moderate root space. Shake out and repot, and seoure all the BunJight possible to thoroughly ripen (the growth, and so secure plenty of flower. Primula — If seed is to be saved, . . one or two plants should be put on a shelf and the flowers fertilised. Only a few on each plant are needed to give enough seed for an ordinary garden. The fewer pods of seed a plant has to mature, the better the quality secured. Zonale pelargoniums — Plants from store pots and boxes should be potted off into separate pots. Even if the plants are j for bedding the better results obtained I ' will well repay for the potting ; as when plants are planted out from boxes most J of the foliage is lost, and the plants are some time before they are well covered with leaves and flowers. Those required for pot culture should be put into rather small pots at fixst, with more liberal shifts later on. There are some beautiful varieties of zpnale pelargoniums in cultivation now, so that there Is no excuse for growing the old varie- . ties with small trusses, tiny petals, and tall habit. The new varieties have altoost every Shade of colours from pure white to a plum or bishop's purple, while the trusses are very large, and the individual pips as large ac the show and decorative varieties. Cuttings of abutilon in variety should be taken. . -There are two variegated varieties that i snake good decorative plants, and are rery effective in the flower border during the summer months. Dahlias should be put in heat to secure a batch of cutting-. The earlier these are Hooted the better, especially if they are fco flower early in the summer. Coleus should be rooted. These grow with but tittle trouble^ if there is a Httle bottom beat. Petufiiae— Cuttings of the better varieties should be taken, and grown . on as fast as possible. Salvias in Variety should be propagated. The red Varieties are most useful either for bedding or pot culture. Bonfire is one of the very best for all purposes. Put She cuttingis in a gentle bottom heat, In light sandy soil. Flower Garden. — The wet weather frill keep work rather backward in this department, therefore, in antidpation Ef better weather, every item that can c done should be carried out. Stocks •—Giant ten-week .varieties that were raised in the autumn should be planted out at once. These should not be kept In the boxes a day longer than necessary. If not put out during this month they had better be thrown away, and spring-raised plants prt out. Sweet peas should be sown in a sunny position. Prepare the ©oil-by deep digging, and use plenty of manure. The seeds should be put in about four inches apart, this should be the nearest, six Inches would be better. If any spring flowering plants such as phlox, aubretia, doronioum, etc., remain to be transplanted, get them in their positions as soon as possible. Wallflowers should be transplanted at once if they are to give good returns this spring. Liliums •—Any bulbs not planted should be got In at once, as they suffer rather serious injury if left out of the ground very long. Plant in^ groups rather than •singly, 'and if possible in a position just cut of the reach of strong winds.