WORK IN THE GARDEN
FLOWER GARDEN
Those who require chrysanthemum plants for cutting purposes in the garden should now commence to plant, but it is most essential that the soilis made friable and that these plants must have plenty of good plant food worked in before planting. It is not wise to dig in new animal manure; it should be well decomposed. If animal manure is not available, blood and hone would make a good substitute, but where good prepared compost is available (not from the refuse pit, as this contains far too lflucli acid for tlie young plants to root in). A good dressing of oyster shell (Oceanic lime) would also be found beneficial when worked into the surface prior to planting. It is most essential when growing these plants in the outside borders for cutting purposes to pinch out the tip of the leaders when _ they get about 9in in height, and this should be continued up to December month. This method will save a great deal of labour in staking, and the plants will become compact in lmbit and the flowers will not be damaged with the action of the prevailing winds. It is also advisable to select varieties which are most suitable for outside cultivation, and the following should give good results :—Double varieties: Blanche de Poitou '(white), Jean Pattison (broilze), Rose Chochard (rosy mauve), Coronation Gold, Isabel Lennic (yellow), Enton Beauty (deep crimson). Pink Terrace (deep pink), Miss Ethel Shaw (golden buff), Edith Cavell (bronze), Afterglow (golden bronze), Primrose Poitou, Romance (golden orange). Exhibition singles: Tunisia (deep cerise), Phyllis Oates (deep yellow), Rivalin (yellow;), Pares (light pink), Betty (deep 'bronze), Desert Song (crimson and bronze). Late: Russell Ritchie (flame), Mme de Pozzia (deep pink), Ratta (terracotta), Red (Rover (deep crimson), Yliunip (beautiful cerise), Bandmaster (bronze). Anemone-centered varieties, delightful flowers, are bound to become popular .as the colours' are so beautiful and the habits of the plants are ideal for outside cultivation. The following are the most suitable for these districts Alice Dunevan (orange bronze), Beautiful Lady (bright pink), Miss Ethel Anderson (deep beige), Trama (lavender mauve), Triumph (golden brown), Faith (lovely pink), Godfrey’s 'Perfec-tion-(white). Pompon varieties are very free in flowering and will become very popular, especially for the 'cut-flower market. Ethel (bronze and red), Marilyn (clear orange), Golden West (old gold), Miss New Zealand (deep cream and bronze), Baby (golden yellow', very small), Wendy (bronze and red) are all supplied by the local seedsmen. One of the most popular spring flowering plants is no doubt the free-flow-ering auricula, and no matter where we. find these plants growing, in large gardens'or small, they are always admired. Their cultivation is very easy. The plants enjoy partial shade, and will flower for months on end. The soil should be well drained, and contain plenty of good plant food, such as well decomposed animal manure or good compost from the compost heap, which has plenty of Jeaves in it. 1 find that these plants enjoy plenty, of oyster shell or good, clean sand mixed, in the soil. Those who' have a glasshouse available can raise the plants from seed, but the greatest trouble is to obtain the seed; or the plants can be increased by breaking up the old plants. This can be carried out as soon as they finish flowering. There, is no doubt that these plants give the best display when massed together, eiiher in beds or used as an edging to other spring-flowering plants, such as polyanthus or ranunculus. The finest collection of these ’ free-flowering plants I have yet seen in these districts is in the gardens of Mr W. G. Pickard, Belleknowes, who is a keen gardener, and has raised a splendid collection of over 39 varieties. Some of the individual flowers arev2in across, and the colours are far different from any yet seen on the market. An invitation is given to anyone who is interested in the cultivation of these delightful flowers to pay a visit to this garden. Continue to plant all varieties of annuals and.perennials. After rains the soil becomes warm, and the plants will root up quickly and get established before the dry w'eather arrives. There are several of our old favourites coming hack on the market again. One of. the best I noticed this week in a seedman's window was the beautiful arctotis scapigera hybrids. These plants have a good range of colours—brown, orange, and yellow and mauve shades. They enjoy plenty of sun, and the soil must be well drained. These plants will flower over a considerable period, and are valuable for the decoration of the home, as they keep in water for a considerable time. They are also most suitable for the rock garden, and even grown as a pot plant in a cold glasshouse will continue to flower for months on end.
THE VEGETABLE GARDEN
Sow main crop of peas, also plant out celery plants for early work into prepared trenches, containing plenty of rich plant food. Plant cauliflowers and summer cabbage, also lettuce plants. Finish planting potatoes for late crop, and earth-up early-planted potatoes. A dusting of lime applied before the earthing-up is carried out will be. found beneficial, or, if the soil is poor, a dressing of fish manure should be given, covering the same when the earthing-up is done.
ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT
“Signal Hill.’’—l would advise you to propagate the plant submitted. It may be just a freak of Nature. You would soon see'if it was fixed iiva very short time. It is ’certainly very unique. E.S.P., N.D.H. '(N.Z.).
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19461101.2.127
Bibliographic details
Evening Star, Issue 25938, 1 November 1946, Page 10
Word Count
926WORK IN THE GARDEN Evening Star, Issue 25938, 1 November 1946, Page 10
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