ASTERS FOR EXHIBITION

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 63, 16 March 1933, Page 17

ASTERS FOR EXHIBITION

'•'A Horticultural Friend" asks for information on the above. Asters are •perfectly hardy and will grow in almost any class of soil which has been reasonably worked and manured. An article on aster growing by Mr. D. Young, o£ Kiwitea, was published in this column on September 17 last. His-advice was to apply agricultural lime at the "rate of six cwt to the acre at the time of working the soil in early winter. During August "blood arid bone" at the rate of four cwt to the aero was applied and worked in. Seed was sown outdoors in September, sand being used freely in the seed drills. ,'■

Asters are very subject to ".wilt" or "clamping,off" disease;, especially -when grown under unfavourable conditions, in heavy, wet soils. Plots of such a nature should be improved as far as possible by a good system of drainage, the addition of stawy manure, and ashes from a rubbish fire. The treatment of the soil with "Chcshunt Compound" both before sowing or planting and during growth will keep the

plants free of this trouble. To get exhibition blooms it would be necessary to remove all surplus growth and confine the whole energy of the plant upon the one bloom as is the practice with chrysanthemums.

For green-manuring your soil nothing is more satisfactory than' blue lupin, which should be sown in rows fairly close together and be dug in as soon as a good growth has been made. To encourage rapid growth in the lupin it is advisable to give the ground a dressing of superphosphate before sowing the seed, about 4 ounces to the~ squareyard. This is a 1 quick-acting manure and its influence would, ba felt immediately. •■■...