GARDENING NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 January 1939, Page 3

GARDENING NOTES

(BY “ WELL-WJSHER".). To those who visualise a continuous display of bloom during the Autumn and early Winter months, steps must be taken now to bring about the floral effect desired. If we want to obtain the maximum amount of bloom possible, it is necessary to plant and sow and keep all vacant plots filled up as the former display finishes. Wallflowers and Sweet William can be dug out as they finish their cycle of growth. Do not keep them for another year, as young plants can be procured easily, and the unsightliness of their foliage often mars a whole floral scheme. The back rows, or the background, can now be filled with Cosmos. These plants need plenty of room if grown to advantage. Orange Flare and double early crested are varieties that make a good show. The small sunflowers cun also b<‘ used between the Delphinium to till up the gaps at present. If the seed spikes were removed when the Delphiniums finished blooming, the second crop of blooms will soon be making their appearance. Cornflowers, especially the Jubilee Gein, can be used to advantage

now, with the scarlet Larkspur os' the contrast in colour, is very striking. Beds in the border can he tilled up with stocks, pansy, phlox, Iceland poppy, sweet scented mignonette, aster, balsam, bedding begonias and zinnias. In order to have Iceland poppies flowering throughout. (he Winter months, seed should be sown now. Do not buy cheap seed, as there are ninny new shades grown from vigorous and robust plants that will throw up their erect flowers during the Winter months, and these new tried varieties are well worth paying a little more for. Many so called improvements in Power culture are improvements in flowers only, as the constitution of the plants themselves have been sacrificed in or-

der to obtain large blooms. What isj, (he use of giant blooms that lay on thet ground, and that, grow from weakly, I spindley plants? No dahlia can pass! through the Wislcy trial gardens it it i less it possesses that stamina that] holds its blooms erect, and present sj itself to the judge. So varieties oil Howers should be chosen for their | erect habit as well as their hardiness to withstand drought or wet condil ions Don’t be gulled Io rest mi your oars if your garden is a mass of bloom now. or even looks like producing a mass of bloom for some time to come. Make provision for the laic Aiilumti ami early Winter by ing seeds now. so

that the early part, of their growth will be rapid, and you will have advanced seedlings ready for transplanting when the Summer and Autumn subjects have finished. A. sewing of the newer kinds of Calendula should be made now. These are the best and showiest, of Winter flowering subjects, and when grown in solid beds they are very effective. Many of the new double art shades contain colourings from almost, piP'e ■white through creams and buff, to yellow and deep orange. They are not only outstanding for massed bedding purposes, but are very useful as cut flowers.

Salvia Bonfire should be planted out now. as this plant requires lime to develop before coming into bloom. Massed bedding makes them most effect i ve. IF DRY WEATHER COMES. If dry weather should happen alomr. and don’t forget if is overdue, be sure to see that the earlier planted shrubs do not lack moisture: a mulch of strawy manure or lawn clippings P good t" prevent cvaporai ion. Il should be remembered that shrubs take ma:tv years to grow or to replace, if allowed to die out. Annuals (hat often air-orb the most of our time can easily be re-

placed, so attend to the shrubs, am! remove any seed pods. Itoses should he. gone over to re move spent blooms, and robber shoots that, appear below the grafts. A dressing of super should be given, and the soil well cultivated around the trees. Chrysanthemums should be now well on their way. and a lop dressing ol good, rich soil will be of immense b- imtil. and will help to keep the plan's moist at Ihe roots, and also help to ripen the wood. Those plants, vAmilmi grown in tins or open ground, always respond to good treatment. See Hmt they are tied firmly to stakes, and f . vi slopping is done, so that the plants will be bushy. Spraying must not be neglected, am. I iiml it a good plan I" use a mixed

sprav, that is. combined sprays that tb<' desired efforts on Innmml diseases as well as mi the leaf Byer moth ami the elmwiim. insects. D.'ih" eshould be sprayed for leaf spot v.i'h Cosan Colloidal liquid sulphur, umm'-'. mm ounce to six gallons ot watci. be< that thev tire securely staked, as i ic stems tire very brittle, ami consequent|v should be grown in a sheltered position. Pinch out ihe centres when plants are nine inches high, so Hull side shoots will grow and develop, on which later the buds appear. Disbud ding should he practised, it exhibition ' blooms arc desired. I'hc. dahlia is be coming immensely popular in America

Australia, and England, and is last taking the place of the chrysanthemum. Antirrhinums should be sown now. These plants are very slow in growth in their early stages. This plant will do well in poor soil, it is not. particular regarding atmosphere, and will generally give a wealth of bloom, and does not need the nursing required by other plants. One drawback is that it Hten suffers from wilt disease. If tins should appear, pull out all affected plants and burn them. Seeds can be purchased of varieties in separate colours, and this is where they look their best if bedded in separate colours. Plants that have already flowered can have the seed spikes broken oil. and new growths will tippear that will lengthen the flowering period. Majestic varieties tire Um best, io grow, as more newer shades are produced from these than from any other.