In the GARDEN

Northern Advocate, 8 January 1938, Page 12

In the GARDEN

BY “TAINU

Dahlia Culture,

It is very important in dahiia growing to keep the plants on the move. Dahlias are succulent plants and naturally drink in a large amount of water. The best way to keep up the supply is to conserve soil water as far as possible by surface cultivation. Chip the soil with the hoe once a week. This will go a long way towards keeping the water in the soil, and at the same time the weeds will be kept in check. Cultivation also helps to let the air into the soil, and this is necessary for the chemical changes in the soil, and for the respiration of the plant roots. Aeration also encourages the activities of useful bacteria. Hoe as soon as possible after rain.

The best time to supply water to dahlias is in the late afternoon. Excess watering results in flowers of poor keeping , quality. To give the maximum amount of food and water without danger of injuring the plant is a big problem. Where possible apply a mulch about the plants during January and February. This will help to hold the moisture, and at the same time prevent the soil from caking.

At bud-setting, a little stimulant may be given to advantage in increasing the size and substance of the flowers. Spread on the ground about the plant a tablespponful of poultry or sheep manure mixed with sand. Rake in. Pour over all a bucket of water and finally cover with soil.

Seaside Plants. I have already written at some length about seaside plants, but I would like to mention a few plants that I noticed recently doing very well within a stone-throw of the waterfront at Russell. Most conspicuous among these was polygala virgata. This plant grows almost at the wateredge in sandy and gravelly soil. It is used in Russel] and Long Beach as a hedge plant, and it looks very happy and prosperous in its position. It is known by its numerous short bluntish leaves and its purplish flowers. These look remarkably like pea-flowers, but they actually belong to a different family. The plant, which reaches a height of six feet or more, looks very clean and appears to stand clipping, though little clipping seems to be required. The plant may be more generally tried for our local beach hedges. It is a native of South Africa, and should do well here.

I noted too that hydrangeas were doing wonderfully well on the banks within easy reach of the salt air. The colours were mostly blues, with an occasional pink.

The blue and the white Agapanthus also looked particularly well, bearing large heads of clear coloured blooms. In several gardens near the seashore I noticed the scarlet hibiscus looking very beautiful, more beautiful than usual. The hot summer evidently suits it to perfection.

Abolia is another plant that seems to thoroughly enjoy the sea air, and it evidently stands the dry spells wonderfully well. It is a fine clean plant that should be more generally grown as a hedge or specimen plant.

Plumbago Capensis was also looking very bright 'and clean, and flowering well. Oleander 1 have mentioned before as a successful seaside plant. Another plant in full and beautiful bloom was the Matilija Poppy, Romneya Coulteri, one of the most beautiful of flowering shrubs. It was doing very nicely quite near the waterfront.

Between the famous churchyard and the waterfront at Russell, I noticed a specimen of the umbrella tree, Melia Azcdarach in full bloom.«. The tree is perhaps not at its best in the position, but it is attractive, with its graceful

panicles of flowers and its attractive

foliage

The well-known wax-tree, rhus succedanea, was doing very well, and I am told that the leaves are won'derfully coloured in the fall.

Cauliflowers.

Late maturing cauliflowers planted out in October and November will have come on well by this time. They will require a lot of attention in the way of protection from the cabbage fly. This pest is devastating during the hot dry weather of January and February. It is not nearly asf conspicuous as the white butterfly, and the grubs are much smaller, but it does much more damage. It is not easy to keep the pest in check. Arsenate of lead is sometimes used, and it is effective only when the undersides of the leaves are sprayed. Another measure is to use a dry poison such as tobacco powder or hellebore powder. If these powders are dusted on to the central bud, this at least may be saved. Later, when the fly has taken its departure, the plants will take a new lease of life and heart in nicely. Again, some fumigant, such as tar-water or crude powdered naphthalene, may be used, but these are only effective so long as the odour of the fumigant lasts. An occasional good sharp hosing will go a long way towards checking the pest, and at the same time it will help to keep the plants on the move.

Green Manuring The value of green manuring in our immediate district cannot be over estimated, and I am sure that those who have trenched, and dug in any amount of green stuff for their spring and summer vegetables will agree with me. The decay that quickly sets in produces srinciples. It also encourages the activities of essential soil bacteria; and not least, it forms a splendid water holding medium, to say nothing of the extra bottom heat that the fermentation of the greenstuff causes. Once this job of deep digging and green manuring is properly done, it is much more easily carried out the following season. There is no other way of giving

new life to a soil that shows the worse for wear. So don’t forget to use your grass cuttings, etc., to improve your soil. If you have no lawn, gather some armfuls from the nearest roadside. Pairie grass ' and Cocksfoot make excellent soiling soiling material.

Tomatoes. Don’t let your tomato plants go unattended. They are growing apace just now, and will be developing numerous side sheets, which should be removed. If one plant produces five or at the outside, six bunches of fruit, you should be well satisfied, keep the stem tied at regular intervals and if the plants are developing toomuch leaf, remove some, either w hoHy or in part, choosing those haves that are keeping the sun from the fruit clusters. Do not water unless the plants want it badly, and then water about the roots.

Correspondent. The blue flowered tree you refer to must be Jacaranda Ovalifolia, native of Brazil. It i s flowering particularly well this season.