VIOLET BEDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 70, 24 March 1938, Page 26

VIOLET BEDS

To have good violets in late winter and spring the plants must be properly cared for during'the heat of summer. The plants should now be growing away in strong clumps planted from nine to fifteen inches apart, according to the variety.*"' '■- ' The first necessity with them is to remove all runners as-fast as they appear. This is a very easy business, for it is accomplished by merely grasping the'runners, one or two at a time, and pulling them from the plants. No attempt should. be made, however, to pull away a handful at a time or. the plants may be' injured or even pulled up. - ■ : With any choice or scarce variety it I.would -be good policy to plant these runners in a shady 'corner' to make stock plants, but in the ordinary way sufficient runners are produced in the spring time to maintain a supply of plan.ts.--.-f '■■'.'; , ''-'."■' '"'" ■; ;: It is well to emphasise the fact that ,if good, large violets are; expected frpm\border' plants they 'must have their runners removed.' "< In common with- the rest of the-viola "family, violets like; a ■:cool, rich, ,and i deep soil. if; they > have, this . all will -be well, if npt ■'; they- must - have extra attention 'now or the plants will suffer.

;■.; Copious waterings should^ be given at least'Once-a,-vyeekr,in ; dry,-weather, and ithe;;plants sare "helped igreatly by mild doses ,of liquid, manure, or a dusting- of ...one'of ithe artificial ifertilisers. A, sprinklingjof soot applied when the foliage is quite-dry,, is also very helpful, for it feeds the plants and keeps at bay several-pests that prey, on the leaves.;' .- - '....,''

'The soil between. the plants should be hoed .frequently; so. doing helps to keep it moister and'cooler.. The chief enemy; of ■ the .violet. in ' the' summer is the Red' Spider, and watch should be kept, for it' that .'it jnay be checked before'the plants are utterly ruined.

' When any part of the leaves begins to>assume:a.pale green appearance, it isi-a.-signr.thaf'the red spider is multi-plyirig;-:Upon them. ' ...-, :. /-s The steam- arising from: moist earth is against thev'pest;; hence there is a double value to the watering, and even spraying regularly ■ with pure water, helps to keep the pest down.

There are several good specifics sold specially for. the destruction of red spider, or a bi-weekly spraying with sulphide of potassium will be effective, or. lime sulphur may be used. The great difficulty with any spray is to get it into contact with the insects, as they congregate on the lower sides of the leaves and protect themselves with fine webs. Of the various fungoid diseases attacking violets only two need serious consideration.

One causes enlargement of the stems (cluster cups), which fin.ally assume a

reddish-orange colour as the spores begin to ripen. Stems so affected should be picked off and burnt. The other disease (violet spot) somewhat resembles potato disease in its symptoms, causing decaying spots on the leaves. This disease is within the plant,' working outwards, and the real remedy is to cultivate them well and so lift them above its influence.: The use of a mildew specific or the solution of sulphide of potassium helps to prevent the spores from spreading. Potassium sulphide should be dissolved at the rate of one ounce to three gallons of water and applied by means of a syringe or spray. LAVENDER FROM CUTTINGS. Lavender plants have practically finished blooming, and in. most instances the crop of bloom has been harvested. : . ! This month is the best time to pro-j pagate a new stock of plants from : cuttings. Every little side-shoot will root if taken with a heel of old wood and inserted in a shady bed of sandy soil or in-pots in a cold frame. ..-

Firm planting of the cuttings" is essential. It is always advisable to have a few young plants coming on, as frequently, without apparent cause, some of the old plants will die out. When plants. become overgrown and straggly : the evil may. be overcome by cutting them back fairly hard after: flowering. They will make nice fresh growth and produce better spikes of bloom in the following season. Lavender plants like plenty of lime, and a good dressing may be given them during the winter months. TIGRIDIAS. These showy . bulbous plants are, at present in flower or in early places have just finished. This is one of the gaudiest of all bulbous flowers, reminding one of the old-fashioned bandana handkerchiefs. The wide, open flowers are very gay; they are large and showy, oddly marked with- a cup-shaped or saucer^ shaped centre, *and wide spreading limbs .formed by-the outer segments which are bright red on the limb and yellow or red-spotted on the claw. The cup^shaped centres of the flowers' are richly and darkly blotched and splashed; hence' the name, tiger-flower.

Although the blooms are very fleeting, in character, and individually: last only^for a day or two, they are.very gorgeous, and are 'prdduced in succession during the warm weather, opening. out fully in bright sunshine. The bulbs are quite hardyj and, an open situation in any average soil suits them quite well. The bulbs increase rapidly, and the plants are also easily raised from seed. , Plant the bulbs in the spring after all danger of frost is past!