MONTBRETIAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 108, 8 May 1937, Page 6 (Supplement)

MONTBRETIAS.

AUTUMN FLOWERING BULBS.

The newer varieties which have been introduced of late years do not appear to be nearly so hardy as the older types, so that except In very favoured localities and In light and warm soils where the winters are fairly mild it is advisable to lift the corms before severe

frosts arrive. Montbretias are sometimes irregular in their llowering, and some make a good display whilst others

are very shy of bloom. Where weather is very severe it is found necessary to winter them under shelter, and if this is so, it will be a good policy to get them lifted at once. A convenient method is to box them up quite closely together, packing some leaf soil or old potting soil round the corms to keep them under natural conditions, that is, not too dry. Place them in a cold frame, but if space under is very limited they will usually winter quite safely under a warm wall, with some extra protection during severe weather. In the early spring they may be divided and potted or boxed up early and eventually planted out in good soil, for they well repay a little extra attention.

SWEDE TURNIPS. Swede turnips that Lave had a reasonable check by frost, bo that growth may be reckoned as over, should be lifted and stored either in a cool shed or in clamps. Although clamps keep the roots in a fresh, juicy condition until late in spring, a cool shed serves the purpose quite well if the roots are protected from the air, and also from rats and mice. They should be turned over now and again to remove any showing decay, the movement also helping to retard growth from the crowns, which naturally reduces the food value. Late in spring these sproutings may be used ae a substitute for seakale; they serve this purpose well.