GARDENING NOTES

Hawera Star, Volume L, 6 March 1931, Page 7

GARDENING NOTES

(By “Warutali.”)

SIMM N G-FL 0 WERING BULBS

i it is now time to plant some of the l spring-flowering bulbs for early flowering. A light, well-drained soil is the best for bulbous plants, and it must not contain any fresh animal manure. At the same time the soil must be fairly good and if poor some well- [ rotted manure or leaf mould should be ‘added; if these be not available mix s»ome bouedust with the soil to a depth of six inches or so. Where the soil is-lieavv or is wet in winter it is advisable 'to plant in raised beds and to place a small quantity of sand under eaclt bulb- or tuber. All the bulbs described below arc easdy grown and useful for garden decoration or For cutting purposes.

ANEMONES. These are popular for both garden decoration and cutting purposes. They are quite hardy and may be planted from February to the end of April for succession. They should ..'be planted two inches deep and six inches apart and either in groups or six or twelve or in a lino in front _ of a _ border. There are several varieties, viz. : St. Brigid.—These have large double and semi-double flowers in almost every colour nil cl islicido oir coloni. w De Caens. —Single, largo flowers m a. great variety of colours. Fulgens.—Scarlet flowers with black centres; may be obtained in single and double varieties. Double.—Double flowers in various colours and shades. RANUNCULUS. These require the same treatment as anemones and flower about the same time. The tubers are claw-shaped and should be planted with the claw downwards two inches deep and six inches apart. The variety known as Asiaticus is the best variety to grow. It is vigorous and free blooming and has very brilliant and varied colourings m large double and semi-double flowers; should be planted in clumps or masses, or as an edging to a- border. FREESIAS. These are deliciously scented flowers which may he grown in the open around or in pots for table docomtiqn. They require a warm, sunny position sheltered from the winds when grown outdoors; if required for cutting purposes they should be grown in a frame or bush bouse; the stems are much longer when growing in complete shelter” They should be planted in light, sandy 'soil about three inches deep and three inches apart. If grown m pots place about six bulbs in a five-inch pot filled with good sandy soil; the top of the bulbs should 'be just beneath the surface of the .soil. Keep the soil gist moist until growth staits, and o-ive more water when coming into flower, but not enough to make the soil in a sodden condition. There are a number of various coloured freesias in addition to the original white one; a particularly good one is Burtoni, which has very long, stout stems with flowers of a rich cream shade. Other colours which can be obtained are blue, orange, pink, ruby, and hybrids which embrace all shades. INIAS.

These are very graceful border plants with lovely flowers, ranging in colour from white to yellow, mauve, rose and crimson; there is also a areen one (viridiflora), grass- green, with a black eye. They like welldrained soil and a sunny situation; plant four inches deep and three inches apart. As they are about two feet in height, they should be planted some distance from the edge of the border. They are very useful for cutting purposes.

MORPHIXIA PANIOULATA. This is a soft, red-buff, tubular flower, a member of the ixia family; requires same treatment as ixias, but may be grown nearer the edge of a border, as it is not so tall.

CROCUSES. Well-known and popular flowers, Aliev are the earliest to appear m urn spring. Plant two inches apart, and two inches deep in front of borders as. an edging. May be planted at intervals for succession. The colours are white, blue, yellow and striped. May also be grown in pots. TULIPS. Tulips like a well-drained, sunny situation. They should be planted in March or April. They will grow well in any soil. Plant four to six inches deep "(according to the size of the ' bulb) and six inches apart. The Dar- | win type of tulips are the best for ! cutting purposes; when well cultivated tlic.v may be grown to a height of al T most three feet. The stems are strong and the flowers have a large range of colours. There are other kinds, single, double and Parrot,; the single or cottage variety are useful for growing in pots or foi- bedding purposes. Place six bulbs in a six-inch pot. or four to five in n five-inch pot: fill with rich, fibrous soil, with some sharp sand, added;, do’not use any fresh manure; The bulbs should be planted with the crowns iust below the surface. Keep in the shade out of doors until growth commences : afterwards move _ into a sunnv position. When growing well keep well watered. The pots should be nlaced in saucers or on ashes while outdoors to prevent worms entering the pots. Further notes on bulbs will: be given in next week’s notes.

ROUTINE WORK. ,Sprav potato foliage with Bordeaux mixture (.summer strength, one pound Bordeaux powder to each 10 gallons of water, add one pound of treacle in showery weather) to prevent attacks of Irish blight. Spray apricot, peach, plum, and nectarine trees with Bordeaux solution (summer strength) or lime sulphur solution (one part to 125 parts of water) where trees are badly affected with leaf curl, bladder plum, or dieback disease. Spray every 14 days until leaves fall; thou spray with winter strength Bordeaux (lib Bordeaux to five gallons of water) or .lime sulphur solution (one part to nine parts of water).

Spray apple, pear and quince trees with arsenate of lead isolation (two leaspoonsful of paste or 011 c if in powder form) to destroy grubs of the codim moth. Spray the whole of the trees thoroughly with a mist-like spray every three weeks until fruit is ripe enough to pick. Sprav winter vegetable .plants such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, etc., with a mixture of one teaispooUful Black Leaf 40 and two of arsenate of lead in paste form (or one if in powder form) to destroy aphides and caterpillars of the cabbage moth. To make the mixture adhere better one

quart of skim milk should be used to three quarts of water, addinjg one t£aspoonful of nitrate of soda to each gallon of the mixture. ; . Gather up and burn all fallen fruit not fit fop use. Sow broad beans, cabbage cauliflower. carrot (early liorn>, cress, endive, lettuce, mustard, onion, parsley, radish, silver beet, spinach and tuinip. Keep tomato plants tied to thenstakes as they advance in growjli, and pinch out all side-shoots ■ which grow at the base of each leaf at lbs junction with the stem, pinch out tlic tops to throw the strength of the plant into the fruit. Spray with Bordeaux solution (summer strength), adding two tea-spoonsful of arsenate of lead (or one if in powder form) to destroy caterpillars on the fruit. Si pray every 14 days in dry weather, ' more frequently in showery weatheyr. Clip" evergreen hedges. / Spray dahlias with araeuate of lead to control caterpillars. ' 1 Plant cabbage, late broccoli and leek plants.