GARDENING NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 February 1925, Page 2

GARDENING NOTES.

(By “Waratali.”) j Narcissi. —The flowers of these bulbous plants more commonly known as daffodils, 'aie much appreciated in spring. The. bulbs may be planted i«i almost any soil or situation, and will produce good flowers with little or no cultural treatment, but ii some pains are devoted to their cultivation, they will respond by giving much nnei flowers. Although good results may be obtained on most kinds ot .soil, tlie soil that suits them best is a fresh turfy loam. If the soil is good no manure is necessary, hut il oi a pool nature, lozs of bone-dust to the squarp yard should be forked into the ground before planting. If the soil is light and sandy, 2ozs of sulphate of potash should be added to the bone-dust. Fresh animal manure should not be mixed with the soil at the time of planting the bulb's. If some thoroughly decayed manure is available a small quantity may be mixed with the soil before planting the bulbs, or they may be planted in soil that has been manured the previous year, but the soil should not contain, a, large quantity of manure as it is apt to induce decay in the base of the bulbs. The addition to the soil oi sulphate of potash. will deepen the colour of yellow flowers and also the red-cupped varieties, hut it should not he added in a larger quantity than 2obs? to the square yard. IT too large a. quantity is used an alkaline condition of the sod will boproduced, inimical to plant life. The bulbs should he planted three or four inches deep, according to, size, and if a space of from 4 to (Jin. i® allowed between the lvulbs they will not- require. to he disturbed i’or_d.i vision for three or four years. Plaid* if 1 possible in a. situation facing south or southeast, protected from cutting, winds. Planting ishouid he completed by the end of March; if kept out of the ground after this time the bulbs will become very dry and lose vitality. I f daffodils are "required .for cutting early in the season they may be planted in boxes Bin. deep. Use ordinary potting soil and plant the hu-lbs close together. The boxes should be placed out of doors on a bed of ashes or on a hard bottom to prevent the entry' of worms. Leave the boxes outside until full of roots and the bulbs sfrow top growth. They may then be placed in a* greenhouse or frame to flower. Give the plants plenty of water as soon as growth commences, and plenty of air on sunny days to keep them .sturdy. With an insufficient .supply' of air the plants will be spindly and weak. Anemones. —Anemones are easily' cultivated, and are hardy' bulbs with flowers of nearly all shades and colours. They are highly ornamental in the garden in spring and valuable for cutting, lasting a. long time in water. The tubers may be planted from February to July' to provide a succession of bloom. They will grow and flower well in. any good garden soil that is well-drained. In very wet or heavy soils the tubentTnay decay in the* winter. If the soil is poor the addition of some well decayed cow manure will materially assist The growth. If this material is not available fork in 4ozs bonedust and 2oz.s sulphate of potash per ■square yard. The plants look most effective in groups or large beds. The beds should be elevated at least three inoh.es *• and ranr; if the position is liable to water standing in the winter. Plant the tubers Bin. apart and Sin. deep. The best strain to plant is that known as the St. Brig id. The flowers t : of this strain are produced, on long stems and. the colours: are very' varied, some of the dark shades being particularly beautiful. The flowers are semidouble with a, fair percentage of true double flowers. Another good variety to plant is anemone fulgens, which has bright"vermilion flowers with a central black blotch. There are single and double sub-varieties; both are useful for cutting,. as they last a long time in water. The 'tubers of this, variety .should, be planted in. a. warm, dry’ position, a,s they are more susceptible to delay in. wet winters than the ordinary garden varieties. Ranunculus. —The flowers produced by ranunculus tubers are very brilliant in colour. A mass of them in. spring is a beautiful sight, ami they aie also very useful to cut for house decoration. Although quite a distinct plant from the anemone, the cultural treatment and soil necessary to their successful culture is exactly the same. The tubers, should be planted 4in. apart, claws downwards, with the crowds a full 2in. below the surface of the'- soil a.nd covered with fine soil. If the soil in which they are planted is of a heavy nature or lies wet in winter, a little sharp .sand should be placed around each tuber . The tubers may be planted any time until the end of April. Notes on the culture of hyacinths, tulips and various kinds of bulbs will be published next week. Chrysanthemums require special care now, particularly if the blooms arc- being grown, for show purposes. The plants must be watered thoroughly and regularly' during dry’ weather and a solution of liquid manure applied once a, week. See. that the stems are securely tied to stakes to prevent damage by strong winds, and keep the plants free from: insect pests and fungoid diseases. Pot hyacinths, free,sia.s, tulips and narcissi for house decoration. Plant anemones, narcissi, ranunculus for early spring flowering. Sow winter-flowering sweet peas. VEGETABLE GARDEN. Celery and leek plants will require plenty of water in dry weather. Spray plants of brocc-oli, cabbage, etc., that- are affected with aphides or caterpillars with, a solution of kerosene emulsion.

Attend to tomato .plants as advised in .previous notes. Lift the runners of kumeras occasionally with the hands to prevent them rooting; at the joints. Sow carrots (Early Horn), endive, lettuce, mustard, parsley, radish. Silver beet, .spinach, turnip and a small quantity of cabbage, and cauliflower .seed to provide plants to put out in April.