HYDRANGEA CULTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19508, 11 December 1926, Page 5 (Supplement)

HYDRANGEA CULTURE.

BEAUTIFUL EFFECTS. Hydrangeas are to be seen in almost ©very garden. They are of easy culture and when in full flower exceedingly ornamental. Our climatic conditions are particularly suited to their requirements and especially so this season when rains have teen so frequent. Propagation is readily affected from cuttings. They delight in & rich soil and abundance of moisture daring their period of active growth and flowering. In addition to culture in the open ground they are specially adapted for growing in pots and tubs; when grown in this style they must be liberally fed and regularly watered. They may be propagated in pots annually to produce one large head of flower each a method largely practised for house decoration. Artificial manures should be freely given just as the flowers are developing. VARIETIES OF HYDRANGEAS. As with all popular plants hydrangeas have been taken in hand by specialists, resulting in the creation of many sterling jnpveltifcs '■ in improved forms. Hydrangea exhibits of plants in full flower are a feature of some of the recent horticultural shows in Britain eliciting special encomiums. The problem of colour in hydrangeas has been a matter for investigation. It is commonly known that in Borne soils the pinks change to blue, and 2?ice-versa. This has been solved; the white always reproduce true. COLOUR IK HYDRANGEAS.

In the matter of the blues and pinks, Scientists ;advise that to obtain the blue colour it is necessary to have the soil in an acid condition, also that iron must be present iu sufficient quantity to affect the change. In limestone land or where lime has been freely used, which is the opposite of an acid soil, the colour will ba pink. Water in which alum has been .is used artificially to cause the change. However, the matter of colour is not sufficiently important to worry over the chemical constituents of the soil to cause the reproduction of true blues or (kue pinks. ' - CHRYSANTHEMUMS. These popular (lowers require constant" attention from the time of planting until the flowers are in perfection. The main tequirement is to keep the foliage in perfect condition. The ideal plant at the time of flowering should be in perfect condition with healthy foliage. To affect this, war upon insects and fungoids must . be persistent frqih the propagation of the • cutting.

The enemies of the chrysanthemum are many and active. Thrips and green and black aphis are often troublesome in the early stages of growth; black leaf 40 is the best -for these pests. Later leaf roller and other caterpillars make their appearance ; hand picking and spraying with arsenate of lead are effectual remedies, or better still, make use of a combined spray for insects ana fungi by adding Bordeaux mixture to the arsenate. The rust fungus Es the worst enemy the grower has to confend with. To control this preventives, by timely spraying with fungicides, are essential CULTURE Or THE PLANTS. After the plants have started into growth pinch out the centre of each plant so that lateral or side shoots will break out. Select three of the best of these shoots to grow on to prduee the flowers, removing ail the others. Some growers retain five shoots in case of accident by grubs or other agencies and remove them later. From this until the- beginning of February, all that is necessary is to keep the plants regularly tied up as they advance in growth, and the foliage free from insects and fungi; to keep side shoots pinched off, and to water when necessary. A light mulch of well-rotted manure of spent hops keeps the surface soil cool and moist. FOE GARDEN DECORATION. _ These require no special care or attention beyond nipping out the tops when the plants are four of five inches high. This causes side branches to break evenly around tbe stem; these may again be pinched back, causing a symmetrical bushy plant that with a little thinning out and occasional spraying for fungus and insects will produce an abundance of flowers for garden decoration and for cutting. Mulching and watering will also be necessary. TAKING THE BUDS. The beginning of February is a most anxious time for both professional and amateur growers for exhibition, in knowing which bud to take or retain to produce the largest flowers, whether first or second crown or terminal buds. The first crown is the best bud to Belect for those varieties that are liable to show their centres, the second crown for the full-petailed or very double flowers. In some varieties the terminals are the most reliable. A crown bud is easily distinguished from the terminal by having a bare stalk below the bud, whereas the terminal is surrounded by numerous fcrnall flower buds. Instructions about bud taking will be given at proper time.