Gardening Notes

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 23, 30 October 1930, Page 9

Gardening Notes

THE POPULAR aLADIOLUS.

It has often l»e«n said that gardening is the greatest of all human diversions. rJßtoe iiobby of growing one's favourite floircr to perfection is certainly a plea.sttrablo jwistime.

Although the Gladiolus in European species has been in cultivation in gardens for over 400 years, it was the intMduetion of the forms native to .Southern Africa, to Jilurope iv .1745 wirieh was responsible f,or the marked improvement in forln and colouring, and to. which is due the ever inerea.sijjg popularity of the Gladiolus.

Hie appearance of a striking seedling in the Van Houtte nurseries in Belgium in the year 1840 was really tho starting point from whi<?h the modeTii Gladiolus has been/ evolved. This seed-' lixig named Gaudavansis, was such a dis ■ tiaet break that hybridists ianniefliately <50nrm<inc(Ml raising seedlings from it with such .success that by. 1880 more than 400 varieties had been named. Messrs Victor Lbmoine, of Nancy, 1 France, and Max Lcightlin, of Baden Baden/in Germany, further improved and developed the flower, and were rdblly responsible for the two distinctive types known as the XjGmohinii or Butterfly G-ladioli, and the Childsii hybrids. In the modern G-ladiolus traces of these typos have almost boon lost. In this type, raisers aim at a hardy plant, having a long straight stem. wixieh gives large blooms fairly ' close together on the stem, and having a large number of flowers open at the oae time. ; Xainderd, one ot! the leading American Gladiolus raisers, has bred and distributed some fine types, all of whiehhsv© ruffled or crinkled edges to the petate. The Primtdmus hybrids are assailer flowered than the other types, and the hooding is very distinct. The vaaoe of tlieso hybrids cannot be too strongly emphasised. They-, are hardy, light in appearance, delicate in shades, and very suitable for house decoration. This species was intriduced in 1899 ifrom the Zamibesi Falfls, in South Africa. !fhfi Soil. - *'■ ■ .' ■ .;.;\ , ■".';■.' : •The Gladiolus will grow1 in ; almost; any kind of soil, but the best results. me obtained frorii^a deep, rich, well iirained, fairly heavy soil. Light sandy Stotiis are improved by digging in deeply from old decomposed cow or farmyard aoanuxe, some time previous to planting; extra heavy clay soils need some sand or decomposed vegetable matter dug in to keep it open. Frequent stirring of tlie surface soil (whilst in a condition not too wet) will help to mellow even tie heaviest sail. Situation The Gladiolus is a sun-loving plant, and given proper conditions few flowers axe more easily grown or give a richer return. Any aspect will grow Gladioli; ibat the ideal is one wkere plenty of sunlight shines for the greater part of the day, sheltered from strong winds. Owing to the possibility of injury to bud and flowers/ through excessive heat at flowering time, there is a temptation to plant in shady piaees tiose eorms wiiich. are expected •to bloom in summer. This is a mistake; the Gladiolus dislikes shade. Hfben grown in'shady places or crowded under talleT growing plants the result ■wiH be drawn spindly plaints, with a weak, short flowering spike. A better, ffen would be to provide a light movable shade and place on the north side and overhead only on veTy hot days. Avoid as far as possible growing them on the same plot for more than one

season. Planting. */ Soil and sub-soil must be moist but not wet at planting time. Plant deep-

ly. In light not soil sto 6 inches is not too deep. In heavy soils from 3 to 4 inches according to size of conn. They may be planted in clumps or in rows; the conns about 9 to 12 inches apart, 15 to 24 inches between the rows. Surround the conn with charcoal or ashes

and sharp sand. This keeps away ineect pests, sweetens the soil and provides local drainage. Use three parts aand and one part charcoal. Gladioli may be planted from the end of Jxdy til learty February. Those planted end of July and August usually commence to bloom aboot the end of November «nd those planted vi Decemiber-January bloom in March or April. Cultivation,

Constant soil tillage is essential, and one of the best safeguards against disease, especially in soils apt to set hard around tie stem. As soon as they shoiw above the ground keep the hoe going between the rows at least once a week. When the growth is about a foot high mulch them, with straw manure. In hot dry weather water thoroughly. A good soaking once a week will be far more beneficial than daily surface sprinkling. Cutting the Blooms. Cut the spikes when the first flowers open and plaice in a cool room, where thoy, .will-open perfectly and keep fresh for a week or more. Always cut stems with'a long slope (not square across) Give fresh cold' water each morning and <-ut aibout inch oil the stem. "'.■ln. lio; case should the flowering spike be al- • lowed'to remain on the plant aftear the flovfers have Gicd, as this i'otar'ds the .jf-ro-wth of the now coran. Lifting and Storing. : When t'iie foliage begins to turn yelli.iav is the best time for lifting' the conns; immediately cut ofl; the stem dose to the base with a sharp knife. Dry well in the air and sunshine for a day or two, then place in a dry airy shod for a few weeks to cure thoroughly. IJemoye the old dry withered bullb and corhilets from underneath, place in .single layers in boxes or on shelves, cover with dry sand/ When planting "connlets .remove the outer eaverijig; plant in drills two inches deep and'from 4 .to 6 inches wide; plant, elosel^, .cover Trith an inch of soil and sand, firm with back of .spade ■and wa.'tca\ Choose, if possible, a warm. 11 ay eaTly in spring.