THE GLASSHOUSE

Evening Star, Issue 23497, 10 February 1940, Page 6

THE GLASSHOUSE

To have a supply of plants and flowers in the glasshouse throughout the winter, months seedlings of winter-flower-ing plants must be worked along in pots from now on, commencing with 4in, and the final potting plants should be placed in 6Jin pots. This size will be found large enough for any of the soft-wooded plants. 1 often wonder why the horticultural societies do not order for the general varieties of plants to be staged that the pots shall not exceed 6*in, At the present time it is a common thing to see various sizes of pots staged in one class. The expert gardener is the person who can produce the largest and the best-bal-anced plant in the smallest pot. No plant should be over-potted at any time. The usual and the most successful sizes range from the seedling size fflin) to the final, which should not exceed fijin. At the present time such plants as cyclamen, primulas, cinerarias,, stocks. ■ schizanthus, etc., should be potted into 4in pots and should have a position near the glass with a slight shading on it. Plentv of ventilation should be given, also ample room between the plants should he allowed. When the pots become full of roots the plants ought to he immediately shifted on into the next size.

Care most be exercised when applying water, especially to plants , newly potted. The' plants must be allowed to dry out before watering, or else there is a tendency for the soil to get sour before the roots are formed. Watch for any green aphis which may make its apearancpe in the softwooded plants. This should be destroyed at once With the cultivation of cyclamen a moist atmosphere must he given. If the plants are sprayed once a day with clean water it will-be sufficient. The above advice is for seedling cyclamen, but where there are norms these should be potted up at once and placed in a shadv position on a bed t of ashes or sand and .kept outside until the growth is strong. The plants nan then he placed on the benches inside the glasshouse and treated as advised fpr the seedling plants.