CULTURE OF ANNUALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19542, 22 January 1927, Page 5 (Supplement)

CULTURE OF ANNUALS.

SOME CHARMING VARIETIES. Annuals now present an interesting and varied display. Splendid effects and striking contrasts may, by judicious use of the different kinds be produced in a very short time, and as present-day requirements, not only for garden decoration, but also for cutting, demand mass production, annuals specially lend themselves to these special requirements. The following are some of the best and most suitable varieties:—Zinnias, the giant flowered improved strains flower for several months in succession, the colours ranging from golden yellow to brilliant scarlet with intermediate shade. They are good, dry weather subjects, easily grown and supply an abundance of flowers for cutting. ASTERS AND PHLOX. Asters are general favourites on account of their lovely blooms and great diversity of colours. Unfortunately, owing to their susceptibility to collar rot, they are not so easily grown as formerly. Phlox Drummondii grandiflora is one of our best summer-flowering annuals, producing an abundance of extremely showy flowers for several months in succession. Late plantings flower into early winter. Petunias, although not strictly annuals, are best treated as such. The immense size of the flowers of the giant varieties, richness of colours, rare fragrance and profusion with which their blooms are produced, render them indispensable. Gaillardias are a gay flower, and a greatly prized genus. RIPENING LILIES. Lilies are universally popular. The (lowers are so exquisitely handsome and sweet. They are adapted for border or pot culture, and wherever seen they are admired greatly. Some buy in bulbs, flower them once, and then let them depreciate. This is not satisfactory. If properly tended the bulbs will go on for years and increase in numbers and display. This is what to try for and accomplish. The most hindering and injurious treatment they can be submitted to is in cutting off the stems before they have ripened. This is a common practice and a great mistake. I know of

nothing that spoils them so quickly and completely. No matter whether they are growing in pots or the open ground, 011 no account cut one stem off till it has become yellow and shrinks from maturing. Let nothing interfere here, and the lilies will be a real delight for endless years. Do not let them starve into ripeness. This would happen from over-dryness at the root. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Waimate North.—Names are*.— No. 1. Alatrcemerift psittacina, a tuberousrooted plant, belonging to order amaryl!idacece, a native of Mexico. No. 2. Mackaya bella, a monotypica genus from Natal. It is very ornamental. No. 3, A species of morphixia, now included under the ixia family. S.H.C., Waimauku.—Re best time to transplant large camellia bushes, about sft. high: About the end of July or early in August is the best time to transplant them, after thinning out some of the branches to lighten the tops and lessen the strain upon the roots, which may be done in April, at the same time digging a trench around the bush about 2ft. from the stem and cutting the larger roots that extend beyond that distance. Afterwards refill the trench •svith good soil and transplant as stated above. Dig the trench deep enough to cut under the tree with the spade. K.K.. Napier.—Train tomatoes upon one stem, pinching or cutting off all lateral shoots, but not interfering with the leaven. When the fruits on the lower bunches are about half-grown some of the lower leaves ma? be cut in half to admit more air and sun, otherwise they are better left intact until the bunches aro set well up the stem. E.iL, New Lynn.—Hemerocallis fulva Sore plena (the day lily) is the name of the double orange flower thai you have sent to identify. There is a single-Sowered form. They are of 'easy culture and well adapted for growing in clumps in shrubberies. " Spero," Beacblands.—FSant to name is the common chicory or -wild endive-, a hardy herbaceous perennial; botanical name, Cichcrium iniybss; natural order, saierace®. I: is cultivated much more in Franc® than in England for the leaves, which are blanched and used as a salad. A variety called the coffee chicory is growa in seme parts, which is cut up and prepared as a substitute . for co'&» and,. also powdered op and, mixed with coffee. A large-growing variety, called .the witloof, is much cultivated in Belgium, and has gained favour in Britain ss a vegetable, cooked whole or blanched. The . culture is easy,., sad, if quickly grown and the leaves well blanched, it is wholesome and. much esteemed. Chicory may be successfully forced. Wattle," Tiiirangi.—Name .o! acacia, with large handsome, foliage, is Acacia <tlaia, the cedar wattle. It grows into _a large and exceedingly ornamental tree and Sowers in the summer. It is a good park .or aingle-specinjen tree. The ether species, with narrow leaves, is probably Acacia ret*noides. " Inquirer."—The botanical nana of the <jaaint-Severing plant from. Western Australia that you know under the natae of kangaroo pa* is aafgos-anthaa. There are four or fire varieties. Fiavidtt#, the yellowSowered, 'is a native of New Holland, 7he others are indigenous to Swan ,'River, Western Australia. They are herbaceous perennials, said to. b# of easy. eurayatsos? requiring a. jsercus sail of peat and loam, with a liberal admixture ©t sand. Our . climate is xmis.ita.hl® for them, •* they recjsira to be kept dry daring "tee , winter, their aeasoa cf rest.