WORK IN THE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 26102, 16 May 1947, Page 8

WORK IN THE GARDEN

In many gardens tlie popular gladiola lias been a success and great growth' lias been made. The splices have been good, and the flowers have retained their colours well. At this stage the conns should be lifted, if this has not already been carried out, and a little care must be exercised after lifting, as large numbers of corms are lost by a disease which seems, to affect them after they are lifted. In fact, a large number of small growers are giving up tlieir cultivation owing to this disease destroying the conns throughout the resting period. The writer made inquiries from some of the leading growers in the Domion of gladiolas to ascertain if they could give any reason for the disease destroying the corms after lilting, and the answer was that the corms must be allowed to be exposed to the air throughout the resting period, and on no account stored in paper bags. They should be placed in boxes or wooden trays, and receive all tlie air possible in a dry shed. The disease, which no doubt arises from a fungus, seems to be more effective if the climatic conditions through the growing season are moist. I would advise, when lifting, that the corgis he exposed to the sun and thoroughly dried off before placing them into a cold, dry store. If the foliage has not died down, do not cut it off, but allow it to dry off from the conns beI fore storing. A dusting of flower of sulphur over them will also prevent any other pests from attacking tlie corms when resting. THE FRUIT GARDEN. Tiie seasonal work required in the fruit garden, must have attention from now on, and the pruning of raspberries, Loganberries, and Boysen]ierries can be carried out. First of all, the old fruiting wood must be taken out, allowing only the strongest wood to remain, for which there is room. On no account should the canes be crowded. In cutting out the old canes, the cut should be made as close to the base as possible. All weakwood which has been made this season should ■ be removed. It is advisable after the old wood has been removed not to tie in the canes for next season’s fruiting, but allow them to be exposed to the sun and air until about the month of July, when the canes should be tied to the wires or other supports which have been provided. It is also most essential that plenty of room be allowed between each cane when tieing in. When the pruning has been carried out, all the primings and weeds should be cleaned .up and burnt, and after lightly forking over the surface between .the canes, a dressing of wood ashes should

j be applied, and over this a good mulch of well-prepared compost or wellj rotted animal manure which contains plenty of strawy material should be applied. The winter rains will then carry the plant food' down, to the ; roots. It will bo protection for the i roots, which should lie near the surface, from tlie severe winter frosts, j The strawberry beds also should have a mulch placed between the plaids, I especially the old-established beds, j The more protection that can he given to protect tlie .surface roots the better. Also the mulching material will break down with the action of the winter rains and frosts, and . become a useful food for the young roots in the spring. Before tho mulch is used, all runners and weeds should be removed, especially tlie runners, as these have a tendency to weaken the old plants. When plenty of l'hubarb crowns are available, a few may be lifted. After being exposed for a few days to tlie sun and air, they may be placed in a dark stove, covered lightly with light material, or they may be placed under the bench in the glasshouse and a .saekliung up in front to keep the light from them. In a few days good stalks of delicious rhubarb nuiy be pulled, | which will be greatly appreciated dur- | ing the winter months. A little water which has been standing in the glass- ! house should be given when there is } signs of growth. This is best applied by using the rose on the can. j Those who are growing that deii- : cions winter vegetable, sea kale, can i lift a few crowns and treat them under j the same conditions as advised for ! rhubarb. | THE ROCK GARDENS. | Now is the time to look over the j rock gardens, where we shall find lots of little jobs, such as removing any dead flowers and also weeds, which, through the climatic conditions, have | accumulated. Many of the stronger- ! growing plants have the tendency of i over-crowding the weaker plants. ; Where this has happened, these should ! be cut back, or divided into smaller | clumps and planted into pockets : where the weaker plants of choice I alpines have died out, or perhaps more | colour is required on other parts of l the rockery. It should be remembered | when planting that the strong-grow- ' ing plants should ho planted in "a posij tion so as to somewhat protect the j weaker-growing alpines. At this stage i the soil in many of the pockets will ! require renewing so that tho winter i rains will wasli it down to the roots. ! Care must lie taken also that tlie right materials are used, as we find what j will do for some rook plants will not Ido for others. But if a well-mixed ] compost, which contains plenty of I rotted leaves, peat, and sand, with ! a little fibrous loam, in which a dressj ing of Oceanic lime (oyster shell) has i been mixed, this mixture will provide all the necessary food that most of the rock plants require. It is not wise to plant new alpines unt.il the early soring months in these districts, ns the - hard frosts will destroy 7 them before the plants become established. —F.S.P.. N.D.H. fX.Z.).