SEASONABLE WORK

Evening Star, Issue 22578, 20 February 1937, Page 23

SEASONABLE WORK

THE FLOWER GARDEN Although climatic condition? are against some of the summer flowering annuals giving a good display, there are other flowering plants which are enjoying the moist conditions prevailing. One of these is the dahlia, and at the present time some very fine specimens are to he seen. The dahlia is of a succulent nature, and will take plenty of feeding with liquid manure or rich guano. Where weather prevents feeding with liquid the fertiliser can be applied in the dry form. A dressing should be given by placing it around the plants and then allowing the rain to ivash it into the roots. It should be applied at the rate of 2oz per square yard. Where plants are making too much growtli and not flowering freely they can bo assisted to flower by applying to each plant loz of basic slag. This should be Avorked into the soil around the plants Avith a light fork. At this stage if large blooms are Avan ted for exhibition, etc., then attention must bo given to disbudding. Most of the floAver stems slioav three buds, but the centre one only should bo allowed to remain. The side buds should be taken aAvay immediately they are formed. Also it is most essential that all surplus groAvth should be removed, or else the floAAers avIII be small. A watch must be kept for various insect pests, especially the eanvig, which will destroy the floAAers in one night if not trapped. It is wise to prepare-for this by placing small floiver pots, paper or • clay, Avith a little dry moss or leaves, upside doAvn on the stake; to Avhich the plant is fastened. These pots should be examined every morning and the eanvigs destroyed by dropping them into hot Avater. If the material is kept dry in the pots this will make a sure trap, but on no account Avill the pests enter the pots if the moss or leaves are wet. When the plants are attacked Avith green aphis then the folloAving will soon clean all the groAvth of these pests:—Mix 2oz of arsenate of lead into four gallons of AA'ater, then add of nicotine sulphate, and spray when the sun has left the plants. It is sometimes remarked by those who haA r e small gardens that they do not groAV dahlias as the plants take up far too much room. That remark no doubt was true Avith the old type of plant, but noAv avo have varieties AAhich are compact in groAvth and also very dAvarf, and the colours are wonderful and very hard to describe. The varieties AAhich have been placed on the market the last feAv years are the dwarf garden decorative, and the Pompoms. 'These dahlias, Avhen known, are hound to become very popular. The gladioli is another plant which has enjoyed the present moist conditions, and just iioav splendid spikes of blooms - can be seen in many gardens, large and small, in and around Dunedin, These, like the dahlias, are divided up into varieties There is the large exhibition, with its huge spikes of beautiful coloured self and spotted flowers which for perennial borders are unsurpassed. They are also suitable for the background of other plants. Then there is the lovely primulinus hybrids. These are the decorative varieties most suitable for boihe decoration and floral Avork, especially as the colours can bo had to match any room. These varieties are more suitable for cultivation in gardens which are not sheltered from the Avinds, as the light spikes SAA r ay with the action of the wind and less damage is done than_ Avith the large exhibition varieties, Avhich need plenty of shelter and good staking. When cutting for exhibition or house decoration the spikes should be cut just before the floAA'er opens, and placed in water immediately in a cool place. In .this way a much finer spike Avill deA'elop than Avlien left on the plant, ns every bud will open. If broAvn paper is tied around iiie loAA’er buds as they open a full spike Avill be obtained. When spikes are being treated Avith this method the Avater should be changed every day, and a small piece of common salt added to the water will keep the floAvers fresh for many days. LAWNS Those avlio have Aveeds in their grass can easily destroy them by dressing the affected parts Avith sulphate of ammonia. A light dressing should be given and nibbed in ivith the back of the rake. If the application is made so that sboAvers of rain ivash it into the roots, then no water will be required. In a few days the weeds Avill commence to turn brown and die. The grass surrounding the needs Avill quickly cover the patches Avhere the weed dies off. If this Avork is done now the lawn Avill recover and be in good order before the Avinter months arriA-e. It is not often that avg can commence this Avork so early as February, but OAying to the moist conditions this is an ideal time to carry out this important Avork. Grass seed to form iicav lawns can also bo soAvn. Mix the seed in red lead before sowing; this will preA'cnt birds from destroying it. F.S.P.