RHODODENDRONS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 183, 1 May 1936, Page 18

RHODODENDRONS

Why They Stand Still Rhododendron roots hang closely together in the ball of peaty or loamy soil iu which they are received from the nursery. It is inadvisable to disturb this ball when planting, because in the majority of instances the roots pass freely into the surrounding prepared ground. There are times, however, when for some reason they refuse to do so. When that happens, .the bushes make little or no growth and, as they lose their older leaves, they soon look very seedy. If your bushes are like this, there is no hope of better things until you lift them. With a sharply pointed stick tease out the ball. It may mean that most of the soil will fall away. Don’t worry about that. The position as it stands is hopeless, but when the roots are relieved from tbe factor that was holding them back, they will when replanted quickly pass into new soil—especially if you line the planting hole with an inch layer of lea f-mould. MANURING SHRUBS Need For Care You realise that when you are planting anything which is to occupy the ground for several years you mustn t be niggardly with manure. You can feed afterward, but you never have as good a chance of working manure under the roots. There is one point, however, you must watch, and that is to lay no root ou manure, nqr allow it to touch any part of a root. Manure isn’t appropriated straight away. It has to be decomposed still further, and the juices pass into the soil water before it can bo taken up. During these essential changes, pungent and harmful gases are generated. If they strike the root, die back is almost certain. So when you make your planting hole, and put in your first soil fillings, watch any pieces of manure that are likely to come in contact with the roots. LEVELLING LAWNS Do It Now A lawn is to a large extent judged by the evenness of its surface. If there are pot-holes and lumps it never looks nice, and you cannot mow properly. Now is tile time to adjust irregularities. Lift the turf carefully from the humps, 2in. thick, and remove sufficient of the underlying soil to give yon a correct level. Remove tbe turf also in the pot-holes, and add sufficient soil to give the correct level here, too. In both cases stir the underlying soil Gin. deep aud work in a dash of bonemeal. After re-laying the turf, fill in (lie cracks with good riddled garden soil or old potting soil to provide a bridge across which the two sets of roofs can travel.