PANSIES AND VIOLAS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 45, 23 February 1939, Page 23

PANSIES AND VIOLAS

These plants are past their best and at this season are very liable to be attacked by mildew. If it is desired to increase the stock'of any particular variety the only sure way is to propagate from cuttings as the plants seldom come true from seed. The plants should be cut well back to the base, the soil round them being lightly forked over, a little bonedust worked in around them, and a light dressing of fine clean soil sprinkled right over the crown. In a very short time new growths will come away and from these a stock of young plants may be procured for next season. Cuttings should be made from the young growths referred to. Ttie easiest method is to lift the whole plant' as

soon as the growths have attained one inch and, after shaking out as much soil as possible, to pull them off carefully.' They will usually pull away with a small piece of root attached, in which case they readily take hold of the ground provided they are kept reasoanbly moist. A little light shading for the first week will give the tiny plants a better chance especially if the weather is very sunny. Cuttings may be made from larger pieces but old growths, with hollow stems seldom make good plants. It is as well to plant the young cuttings in .a nursery bed of really good soil. They may remain there until they have attained a reasonable size for planting out where they are to flower.