GARDENING NOTES.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 15 October 1934, Page 3

GARDENING NOTES.

Colour in the Garden. It is “tulip time.” The stately, cupshaped blooms of these favourites earn for them every right to be termed ‘ ‘ Queen ’ ’ on the October garden. The Darwins, with their length of stem in a wide range of self-colours arc prime favourites, while those of the cottage variety are still loved by many as well as the quaintly marked parrot type with double flowers. The tulip is in great demand as a cut flower and has long lasting qualities. The texture and exquisite formation of their blooms together with their colouring, lend charm and grace to any room. The month of October brings the joy of the flowering cherries, the brooms, early azaleas, pyrus (flowering apple), and many other bright shrubs. Over arches, trellis and fragrance of boronias and freesias is yet with us, with plump buds on the charming old fashioned pinks, giving promise of much fragrance to follow. .Early planted stocks too, are among present joys, with Jily-of-thc-valley slowly unfolding fragrant, snowy-white bells. Borders arc gay with Iceland poppies, sanunculus, anemones, and calendulas with polyanthis. Primroses still contributing many spikes towards the garden display, while edgings of aubrietea and violas are outstanding features.

In the rock garden a lovely contrast in blue and yellow is noticeable where the lovely lithospernium prostratum is planted in combination with alyssum sascatile. Daponaria is commencing to open its soft pink flowers, with helianthemums and mesembry anthennxms budding freely, showing a bloom here and there. Armcrias (thripts) add a quota of bright rose pink while the deminating blooms are those of gentiein acaulis. The large, velvety deep blue trumpets of this specie are intensely fascinating and the lover of the beautiful never tires of gazing into their glorious blue depths. Gayanias, rock phloxes and all manna of dainty bttle bulbous things add interest, with the contrast of the perennial white candytupt and the white of double and single arabis. Routine Work in the Borders. See that all newly planted shrubs and trees are, all staked and tied so that gales do not damage the new roots which are beginning to take hold of the soil. Plant generously of carnations for summer display. Continue to plant out hardy annuals and perennials. Sow sweet-pees for summer blooms. Plant gladioli comes at fortnightly intervals. Keep the surface soil well loosened among growing things. Sow'.seed of bobelia, petunia, salpiglossis, lonfire salvia, and all hardy annuals. Yinnias, french marigolds, celesoi, and asters are all the better left until the end of the month as these need more Avarmth for good groAvth, The Vegetable Garden Weather conditions have improved and the soil is now a little Avarmer, enabling seeds to germinate quicker. Doav seeds of shorthorn carrot, early turnip, spinach, silver beet, beetroot, peas, dAvarf and summer beans, onion, lettuce, and other saladings, cabbage, caulifloAvcr, and parsnip. Plant onions, cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, and tomatoes. Use a little superphosphate among all groAving I greens, hoeing lightly in. Keep all groAving plants Avell hoed, and prepare I ground for main crop onions and ■potatoes. 1 Weeds are now g v OAving rapidly and if these are removed to the composed [heap they form valuable manure. Top dress straAvberry beds Avith a little Avell rotted manure, liquid manurings arc beneficial Aveekiy. The Cultivation of the Cyclamen The cyclamen is a very popular plant on account of the fact that it blooms when floAvors arc scarce and also on account of its freedom of blooming, it’s decorative foliage, and its long lasting floAVcr. Well grown plants in five inch pots suggest the ideal, and the salmon and pink shades are the most popular, followed by the good buttyfly type of whites. Crimsons and scarlets are next in floAvcr, Avhile magemtas arc mostly liked on account of adding variety. Seed may be soavii either during spring or autumn, and it pays to purchase the best seed available. Furnished Avith a reliable strain of seed, soAvn in pans made up Avith good, sound loam, to Avhich has l-cen added sufficient leaf mould and sand to ensure free drainage, germination is sure enough, but then sowing is advisable, .so that in the event of irregularity the more forward seedlings may be carefully lifted and potted off into small pots to commence Avith. .Sprinkle sharp sand liberally over the surface of the compost before soAving, then cover not more than three forths Avith line leafy sandy composed. To keep the seed pan nice and moist place a layer of moss over it, tvatering carefully, or that the moss can be removed as soon as germination is detected.

Potting must be done carefully, making the compost firm by gentle but intersive methods with thumbs and fingers. Cleanliness is essential, and therefore pots and cracks should be well washed before planting up. Healthy young plants make vigorous root action, and it will be necessary to give them careful attention in regard to watering, for they should never suffer from want of moisture, and for preference should be watered from the

bottom. Likewise they must never suffer lack of nourishment, and if the small pots become filled with roots before the next potting can be undertaken, frequent applications of diluted manure and soot water should be administered, and damping down with the same solution should bo practised. In the early stages the plants are best kept in rather a cool atmosphere, but always avoiding draughts of cold air. The aim should be to promote strdiness and build up solid, prolific crowns, and for this reason keep the plants as near the glass as possible, but during hot weather shade to prevent excess of heat. If plants are kept too far away from the light the flowers and foliage becomes too drawn.

The cyclamen pays for liberal feeding when the flowering pot is w t cll filled .with roots. Liquid manure can be given with advantage every other day, and one can feed with. Liquid manure each other day with satisfactory results, alternating by giving an application of root water, clean w’ater the next, and clay’s fertiliser in liquid from the next. The aim should be to keep the plants growing freely throughout and build up well furnished conns that will make the individual plants specimans of real merit. A ] word about “trouble.” It comes in . the form of mite, aphis, and red spider, j and must be carefully watched for, I fairly frequent fumigation with a : good nicotine fumigant is the only sure preventative for the two first mentioned, tyhile red spider is not likely to be a serious menace if spraying of the foliage regularly is attended to in 'he warmest nionths. ft is also advisable ! to thoroughly steam the compost foi cyclamen before planting, just in case of any lurking soil pest. But they are really not at, all difficult to grow 7 if given reasonable attention. Anemone Fulgens The scarlet wdndflow'cr is one of the most beautiful and show r y among the | early spring flowers blooming at flic present time. The rich dazzling scarlet with blue black central boss of stamens, it is a most pleasing subject, especially for including among rock plants where a dark or grey background of rock throws the flow r ers into wonderful relief. Although its native

habitat is the south of France, its hardiness is beyond all question, and severe frosts will not harm it, but stagarnt moist spots should be avoided. It will thrive in well drained, comparatively rich manured loamy soil. Large groups or beds are very striking, also winding irregular masses in the less formal part of the garden. It also makes a charming subject grown in pots for indoor decoration. Preferably the roots should be planted in a position with a fairly sunny aspect, protected from ground winds which are apt to spoil the flowers. Auriculas There is an unmistakeable renewed interest taking place in the cultivation of this beautiful spring flower, and it is quite surprising that the general lovers of horticulture do not take up the auricua more extersively, because its cultivation is very simple as long as common sense is displayed in its growth. The show 7 varieties generally with mealed foliage, except the green edged, which are always green come under four classes; Green, grey, and white edged, and seifs, and another hardui and more robust class which are termed Alpines. When grown as pot plants they require all the air possible as their natural habitat in the Alps. The soil used should be good fibrous loam three parts, one part leaf soil, sufficient silver sand to keep the compost open, a small quantity of wmod ash and crushed charcoal, and a sprinkling of crushed oyster shells. Do not use any manure except it be very old, which may be cow 7 mamar two o> three yeai's old, and then .spanng:y. If the plants are over fed they may do well the first-year, but the plants will subsequently suffer and perhaps never recover. The alpine varieties are very hardy and suitable for growing in the rock garden.