CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 130, 3 June 1937, Page 26

CORRESPONDENCE

GLADIOLI.

"T." (Miramar) .—With regard to growing on the pips: These should be planted in the ordinary way—about two inches deep would be sufficient. They may be planted fairly close together, a couple of inches between them being ample. At the end of the growing period, when the tops begin to die off naturally, they should be lifted and treated just as ordinary conns. Preventing the plants from flowering the first season would probably have the effect of inducing the conn to grow larger. The time to lift the conns.of gladioli is usually considered to be as soon as growth stops and the tops commence to die down naturally. Probably the Australian experts have some special reason for advising earlier lifting, but it must be kept in mind that the different climate may have something to do with it. Gladioli do fairly well in any ordinary soil. Stable or cow manure may be added—the latter for preference—but as with other'bulbous' plants the conns should not come into direct contact with the manure, which should be worked into the lower spit of soil so that the roots may work down to it. During growth the plants should be kept moist, but I should not advise liquid manure. Forcing would probably do more harm than good; let them grow naturally. I do not know of any book which deals particularly . with gladioli, but H. H. Thomas has published a book called "Dahlias, Gladioli, and Begonias," an amateur gardener's guide to cultivation. It is published by Cassell and Company. SWEDES. "Amateur." —If you wish to clear the ground you may pull the swedes and store away, otherwise they ,may remain in the ground, and be pulled as required for use. They do not come to any harm when left in the ground. STRAWBERRIES. T.S. (Fetone).—Strawberries may still be planted. I am afraid you will not find your scheme of planting in troughs any advantage so far as woodlice are concerned—in fact the wooden trough would rather encourage the pests. Try dusting round the plants with "Tipulite," a soil fumigant, which is claimed to destroy all insect life. It does not do any harm to the foliage of plants, so may be dusted right over them.