IN THE GARDEN

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21728, 10 March 1936, Page 5

IN THE GARDEN

WORK FOR THE WEEK

(■PICUU.T WWTTMI JTO» IK» HUSI.)

IBy W. 3. KUMM.I

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS Enquirer.—Possibly the cause of the EpiphyUum not flowering is due to its not liking the soil it is growing in. These plants do best when growing in sweet, gritty soil. The pot should be well drained, as excessive moisture causes the roots to decay. Repot the plant in a mixture of sweet loam, coarse sand, and crushed up brick. Stand the plant in a partially shaded position and at all times be careful not to over water, especially during the winter months. The other plant, asparagus springerii, is affected with hunger scale; cut off all diseased portion! and repot the plant using good rich compost. are hungry plants and require frequent potting. When the plants become root bound they may be maintained in health by giving them, each week sulphate of ammonia. This is best applied in liquid form at the rate of . one ounce to the gallon of water Apply to the soil only, as it is liable to burn the foliage. Rawhiti.-The best way to raise peaches from stones-is to place the stones in shallow boxes in autumn. Cover with sand and expose them to the weather Frosts have a marked influence on their germination. Plant them in shallow drills in spring not more than . three inches deep.

VEGETABLES As soon as the soil is in workable, condition sow lettuce and onions to stand through the winter. . Make a sowing of carrots, prickly spinach, and turnips. Continue to sow all salad crops. . . Cut and store marrows and pumpkins as they, ripen. Frost is very, destructive to them. Sow seeds of early varieties of cabbage and cauliflower in a sheltered place. . „ a As soon as possible remove all spent crops. Cabbage stumps, withered seakale, and rhubarb leaves all tend to harbour insect pests, t and should be burnt. . . ... Do not forget the winter rhubarb; as soon as the soil dries a little give the plants a good soaking of liquid manure. Discontinue the cutting of summer rhubarb. \ Lift and store potatoes; carrots, and turnip-rooted beet, as they become fit. On no account lift them during showery weather. Be sure to dry onions well before 'storing them. Cuttings of sage and thmye, if put in now, will strike freely. Do not cut the tops off the asparagus until it has turned yellow. Do not earth up celery when the soil is in a wet condition.

FLOWERS

The principal work in this department at present is tidying up. All annual plants past their flowering should be removed. Seed pods, withere.d stems, and Jeaves give the garden an untidy appearance. Keep dahlias, chrysanthemums, and all tall-growing subjects well tied. They are liable to break down during wet weather. As soon as the soil is in a fit condition 'to work, fill the vacancies in the borders with such plants as sweet Williams, hollyhocks, Canterbury bells, pentstemons, Iceland poppies, pyrethrums, and aquilegias. Lilium candidum, the Christmas lily, should be planted nO'w. Brompton and East Lothian stocks may • also be planted. Plant out carnations; they should get going before winter sets in. Prepare positions for delphiniums. These plants do best where drainage is good and lime is present in the soil. Primrose, polyanthus, and auriculas may also be planted. Those intending to make a show with • spring*. flQwers should " get the bulbs planted /as hj soon as 5 possible. Daffodils <Jp not iijiprpveibyf being kept out of the ground. They must be given time* to develop roots before their flowering period arrives. All bulbous plants do much better if their bulbs are surrounded with sand. Do not use animal manure when planting bulbs; they are much better without it. Make' cuttirfgs of perennial plants such as pentstemons, petunias, verbenas, gazanias. Pansies and viola cuttings may also be made.

THE GLASSHOUSE

Give the glasshouse a thorough clean up before the winter-flowering plants are brought in. Exercise care when watering during wet weather. Plants cannot thrive if the soil is constantly kept wet and cold. Reduce the shading on the glass; plants will not winter well if kept too soft.

Give plenty of air on all suitable occasions. Plants must develop vigorous constitutions before winter sets in. Dust Hortnap on and under the benches. It will keep {he house sanitary during this damp weather. Pot cinerarias and primulas as they require it. Sow schizanthus and mignonette. , Continue to take cuttings of pelargoniums, and geraniums, also df heliotropes, nasturtiums, and coleus. Give fuchsias and begonias liquid manure.

Pot on fuchsias which were struck last spring; they will bloom for some time yet..

rRUIT

A thorough inspection should be mad? of all classes of fruit trees. Those not fruiting to satisfaction through old age or other causes should be removed or regrafted. Remember fruit trees in indifferent health are those which contract disease first.

Keep the grourfd under the trees free from weeds. Trees which have borne a heavy crop of fruit should be given a dressing of basic slag and knit at the rate of six ounces to the square yard. Gather and destroy all diseased fruit.

Prepare ground for planting fruit trees. Although these should not be transplanted until May, they do much better if the ground is prepared well in advance of planting. Beauty of Bath, Mr Gladstone, Irish Peach, and Worcester Pearmain are reliable first early apples. Continue to plant out strawberries.

AUTUMN FLOWERING BULBS Although the majority of bulbous plants make their display in spring, there are many of the most beautiful kinds which reserve their flowering period until autumn. These are now making their display. All of them, without exception, are worthy plants, and where a bright display is needed in autumn these perennials should not be passed by. The amaryllis known as Belladonna lilies are quite good subjects, and are useful for both garden decoration and cutting. Although there are many forms of these, those which do well here are amaryllis Belladonna and its dark-flowered form, major. To get these plants to give their best select a sunny, well drained position for therri.-If the soil is of a tenacious nature mix some gritty material through it. This will improve the drainage and be to the plant's liking. Amaryllis, when ones established, should not be disturbed by transplanting. They do not require it. In fact, they should remain over a long term of years, and with little attention beyond an annual top dressing should become more profuse and effective each year. The, best time to procure and plant these bulbs is as soon as the flowers fade. Belladonna flowers are bright pink on a white ground; the major form has much larger flowers of a deeper colour. Meadow Saffrons—These useful plants ;are often confused .with the autumn crocus; which are quite a distinct, iaxphy. of plants.; <.Xha meadow