Flowers

Northern Advocate, 13 September 1947, Page 3

Flowers

Spring is the season when most people feel like digging over a piece of ground and sowing some seed. Unfortunately many beginners sow seed of plants that arc coming into flower now.

Seed of nemesia, stock, pansies, etc., sown now would come into bloom during the hot summer weather, and would be unlikely to be satisfactory. Seedlings of spring-flowering annuals planted out now would flower in a few weeks, and if given attention should flower for the next two months.

Seed of the summer and autumn flowering annuals should be sown this month or next. Asters, French and African marigolds, zinnias, petunias and salvias are the favourites for bedding. These are easily raised from seed.

To explain the whole process of soil preparation and seed sowing in boxes .is too lengthy, but following are a few hints:-—Sow seed in shallow small boxes in good friable soil with a little sand added. Have drainage holes and ,cracks in the boxes. Put the boxes in a tub with about 2in. of water. When the soil is thoroughly wet, take out, and allow the surplus water to drain off. Put an inch of fairly dry soil on top, and sow the seed. Press lightly with a board, and cover the seed with soil. Small seed is barely covered, larger seed such as zinnia and dahlia about a quarter inch deep. Cover with glass and brown paper, and put away in a warm place. Sunlight is not necessary for germination, but light should be given as soon as the seedlings appear. Keep them moist by immersing the box in shallow water kept shaded during the heat of the day. As soon as large enough to handle, prick out into boxes of good soil. When the roots have filled the box, transplant into the garden. Water before transplanting so as to keep the soil on the roots.

Pansies and violas are growing well now. If more plants are needed, pieces may be pulled off with roots attached, and planted in good soil. These soon make good plants. Begonias for edging, borders, and the tall fibrous-rooted varieties are easily raised from seed, cuttings, or divisions of the roots at this season. Tuberousrooted begonias should be started into growth slowly, and potted up as soon as shoots appear.

Chrysanthemums that were planted early will be ready for cutting back now. Cut off the top few inches below a joint, and plant. Continue to plant trees, shrubs, hedge-plants, climbing plants, perennial plants, and rock-garden plants.