THE GARDEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 65, 26 December 1936, Page 3

THE GARDEN

GENERAL ROUTINE WORK. THE GREENHOUSE. (Written for the “Guardian’’ by J. A. McPherson, N.D.H., N.A.) Sow seeds of Cinerarias and Calceolarias for next season. Keep the seedlings cool and avoid strong sunlight. With tuberous - rooted Begonias a start can he made to place them m their final pots, usually 7 and 8 inch size. Use a good turfy open mixture and disturb the roots as little as possible. Do not pinch out any more flower buds, and allow all the plants to start into bloom. On double varieties the female flowers should he pinched out when still in the bud stage. These flowers can be recognised by the immature winged seed vessels at their base. Unless Fuchsias are regularly sprayed, especially on the under sides of the foliage, they quickly fall a prey to red spider. Fuchsias love cold conditions and being gross feeders must receive, when the pots become full of roots, good: supplies of liquid cow manure.

Asparagus, especially the coarse foliaged A. Springer!, whether grown in a living-room or glasshouse, quickly fills its pot with thick fleshy roots. It would give them a decided' check if repotted now, so the next best thing to do is to feed them in a similar manner to fuchsias.

During the holiday season, house plants must he watered whether one is at home or not. Quite a good method while on holiday and one that will not harm the usual run of plants, is to stand them in a wide-bottomed tub, hath, or metal tray with just a-quarter of an inch of water in the bottom. Round the top of the pots can be placed; some moss, which must be thoroughly watered before shutting up the house. Capillary attraction in the soil will do tlie rest and it will be found on returning home that the plants have not suffered at all. Geraniums for Winter. More attention is being given to the growing of Geraniums for winter flowering in greenhouses and sunny porches. Plants should he potted up into four-inch pots this month and the pots stood outside in a very sunny position in order to keep them thoroughly hardy. Flowers must be kept off till March and the plants repotted into five-inch pots. On removal indoors at the first signs of frost, the plants will commence to bloom, and il given the maximum amount- of light will, continue to do so all winter. The following spring the plants can lie cut over and stood outside again, repotting only in the following March and just prior to bringing the plants inside. Two good varieties are Berlin (large scarlet red) and Maxine Kavoliski (salmon red). The latter varietyis very popular at present as a general outdoor bedding variety.

Cacti Outdoors. All the commoner types of Cacti, and Succulents will benefit if plunged, pots and all, outdoors in sunny positions for the summer. This ripening of tiro growth leads to better flowering the following season. Before frosts occur the pots should be lifted, their outsides scrubbed and then placed in winter quarters in a sunny porch. In districts with a. high rainfall choose a position sheltered from heavy rains by the overhanging eaves of the house. The Collector. At this season of the year many readers will he out in the country by river and hillside enjoying the holidays, and many will wish to do a little collecting of native plants. Remember that no plants can be taken from a National Park or Scenic Reserve, nor can any plants be taken from private or leasehold property without the permission of the owner or occupier. If such permission can be obtained, then collecting may proceed. ‘ Bear in mind that only small specimens should he lifted, whether it bo from a sandy, shingle river-bank or from bushland. Place the plants in an air-tight container and if they are from bushland they will require shelter from winds and sunshine for some time. This can best be done by placing small pieces .of brushwood round the plants till, they become acclimatised. If only herbarium or dried specimens are required, whether herbaceous or fern, see that roots, leaves, and flowers are included. With the latter it will he necessary to collect a specimen of a fertile and a barren frond of each species. The specimen should he pressed between sheets of ordinary newspaper weighed down with some heavy weight dr the whole tightly strapped between two hoards, usually called a “press.” Change the papers every three days till the specimens arc perfectly dry, and then spend the winter evenings mounting and naming them.

Collecting specimens of native plants for mounting in this manner should be encouraged: among all school children, for it is one of the easiest methods by which a love for the incomparable flora of New Zealand can be instilled into the young mind. Pentsteirions. Pentstemons are a real boon to many gardens, firstly because they will grow equally well in both dry and wetdistricts, and secondly because they take no diseases usually associated with the general run of garden plants. Tn early summer they give a wealth of bloom and later, provided the old flower spikes are cut off, will again flower right into early winter. There are at the present time several named varieties which can be raised either from cuttings or seed. If by seed, it must be sown this month and' the young plants sot out in the late winter, and if by cuttings, these should be, made of the young wood inserted in sheltered beds of sandy soil in .February and the young plants set out in early spring. One point in _ raising them from cuttings, never allow them to flag, otherwise much harm will he done and many will fail to root. For growing under trees or clothing seemingly dry hanks and borders the

Pentstemon is absolutely ideal. As a cut flower it lasts reasonably well, provided the flowers are cut on a cool evening and the stems immediately placed in deep containers filled to tlie neck with water overnight. Next day they can be arranged in vases or bowls. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. When runner beans have reached the tops of their high stakes, pinch out the tops and send all nourishment into the filling of the pods. If early dwarf varieties of peas are sown during the month of January and given the best of attention, splendid late crops will result. Mildew in hot, damp weather will attack the plants, but this should be kept in check by spraying with colloidal sulphur at fortnightly intervals. Where room is available sow a row or two of swede turnips and thin out 1 the seedlings to nine inches apart. If the outer leaves of lettuce are boiled the liquid makes a splendid spray for keeping white butterflies off cabbages. Try it this month and watch the result. Great care is necessary in small gardens in order to watch the proper rotation of crops, especially when a row or two of winter greens are being planted. Constant planting of any of the brassica- family on the one piece of ground results in soil sickness and is one of the quickest ways of introducing club-root into the garden. Riant out late-maturing broccoli (to come to maturity in early spring), also savoys, kale, and drumhead cabbages. Spray celery if there is any sign of greenfly and keep a sharp lookout for any signs of celery smut, a fungus that quickly cripples the foliage. For this disease we must spray with Bordeaux mixture every three weeks. Remember prevention is better than cure.