SWEET PEA CULTURE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2218, 3 August 1914, Page 4

SWEET PEA CULTURE

The information which was given by Mr. G. Mocdio in Dunedin last week upon sweet pea culture,' will be of interest to many women who are growers of this delightful llower. Mr. Moodio is a'.well-known exhibitor of sweet peas, and it is needles* to say his remarks were listened to by an audience keen to make the most of the knowledgo which wag, placed" at its disposal. Most sweofc pea growersvwill probal)ly have planted their seeds some months.ago, but for late sweet peas directions hp gives for planting them will be of value for this coming season. . ' ■ • , In order to produce blooms for exhibition, the lecturer said it was neces-; sary to dig a trench about 2ft. dotip, and the same in width,' filled with turfy loam, mixed. with lime, and; enriched with stable manure in the lower strata, fhe primary object being to cause the roots to penetrate deeply , in search of nutriment. The top layer should -bo composed of good rich loamy soil, mixed with a "little , superphosphate and bone dust, the whole. • being very firmly trampled down, firm soil being a preventive of streaky blooms and diseaso. Being a strong believer in the' firm ground theory, the lecturer claimed to have got good results from adopting that method. Autumn sowing in pots was strongly urged, the blooms of au-turan-sown peas being much superior to those grown in spring. Before sowing the seeds _ tho outer skins should bo chipped with a knife just sufficient to break through the outer husk. Another good-method was to place the seeds in a muslin bag and pour boiling water over them; this method having been found to be quite successful. Tho' seeds should be sown in turfy loam in pots, and staked with small twigs as soon as the plants were .ready to twine their tendrils around a support. In order to sccuro vigorous plants the lecturer said ho removed the main stalk and_ encouraged three side shoots to grow out from tlio crown, and when about 6in. high the plants were placed in rows, allowing a 6pace between plants of 6m. for each shoot—plants having four shoots • being kept 2ft. apart. To produce flowers for exhibition the plants should he .disbudded when 3ft. high, all the smaller shoots and tendrils being cut out in order to force the .growth-of the blooms. The lecturer showed enlarged photos of sweet' pea plants 18ft. high, ,as grown by him under "the methods outlined above. Ho deprecated the use of forced feeding during growth by means of chemical manures, with the exception of .phosphate of potash, splendid effects being obtained by a liquid mixture of cow manure given to the plants.during a spell of hot weather. Various kinds of delicate types required shading in order to prevent the blooms from being spoilt by the sun's raj's, salmon and crimson shades being easily spoilt unless means were adopted to shade them from the direct rays of .the sun. Mr. Moodio specially warned growers against the'uso of any artificial stimulant containing nitrates, the latter being injurious to sweet peas. Contrary to general opinion, the lecturer said, more benefit ivas to be derived by a vigorous and persistent uso of the hoe than by watering, quoting his own success in proof of the assertion. By following the advico given, , the Iccturer- said anyone could grow sweet peas for exhibition, provided tlio locality was a suitable one.