GARDEN NOTES

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 230, 28 September 1940, Page 9

GARDEN NOTES

(By “Ngaio.”)

Seeds which were sown at the beginning of the month will be about ready for pricking out now. When the second pair of seed leaves appears is a good time to do it. Before that the seedling is rather young and tender to stand a move, and later is also bad as the plants will have grown tall and lanky being so close together in the seed-box. The object in pricking off is to encourage) the tiny plant to form a good bunch of fibrous roots so that it will leave some stamina by the time it is ready to be placed in its permanent position. With some of the hardier plants the pricking off stage can be dodged if the gardener is pushed for time and if he has remembered to sow his seeds thinly. Plants with large seeds such as zinnias and sunflowers can be sown in the open ground next month and the seeds should bo individually placed in the drills to allow room for growth if pricking off is to be dispensed with. Fine seeds such as Iceland poppy should always be pricked off. The plants develop much better, and when they are planted out at a reasonable size they are less likely to be attacked by slugs. Phlox drummaidi is a plant which must be pricked off when young, otherwise it developes a lanky growth and does not bloom profusely. This useful annual does very well if sown where it is to bloom, but the seedlings must be pinched back at least once, twice is better, to encourage husky growth. Dahlias are among the very few plants which will thrive in the same bed year after year; chrysanthemums, on the other hand, prefer new soil every season. Ground should be prepared for both these autumn favourites now. Lift old roots of dahlia and put aside the best bits in a warm corner to shoot, or best in tho whole plant and divide later when shoots appear. Manure the ground well as dahlias are greedy feeders, but their long blooming season amply repays any time and trouble spent upon them. If animal manure is not available dig in rotted grass clippings—dahlias don’t mind 6tray meat, but above all, give them something to carry them through the summer and autumn.

The giant flowered dahlias with their enormous blooms of vivid colour make au immense appeal to some people, but they are not. always the wisest choice for small gardens or exposed places. For both the house and garden the charm dahlias, including the miniature paeony and miniature cactus, are really unrivalled. They bloom profusely over a long period, last well in water when cut and are easy to arrange in tho house; they can be had in almost every colour imaginable so they can be made to fit into any colour scheme. Other good types of dahlias for the smaller gardens are the pom-poms and the orchid flowered; the former are the best of all for lasting indoors and may be obtained in many attractive colours; the latter are not so vivid, but they have a charm of their own with their graceful twisted petals.