AZALEA VARIETIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20058, 22 September 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

AZALEA VARIETIES.

MANY CHOICE SPECIES. ' Azaleas are exceedingly handsome ' spring-flowering shrubs suitable for either , pot culture or planting in the open , ground. The evergreen varieties known j as Indian or Chinese azaleas, of which ( there are a great number of named j garden sorts, include every shade and colour in single and double flower forms. With a selection of varieties that cover the season a long succession of flowers , may be obtained. They are of comparatively easy culture provided a few of their special requirements are regarded, namely, freedom of lima in the soils; avoidance of all strong manures and of interference with thenfine fibrous roots by digging or cultivating close to tho plants. They succeed best in a fairly moist and well-drained fibrous loam. The hardier tall-growing varieties are suitable for growing near the edges of the shrubbery, and upou the sides of grassy banks, or they can be distributed here and there on each side of tho drive. SPECIAL CARE NEEDED The dwarf, slow-growing varieties, and the double-flowered species, require a little more care in their cultivation and should be planted in prepared beds in more favoured localities where a little shade is afforded, and where good drainage is provided. They should be freely watered during very dry periods, and should receive an occasional sprinkling overhead to keep thrips and red spider in check. They are benefitted' during the summer by a light surface mulch of thoroughly decayed manure or leaf rubbish. Azaleas may bo transplanted almost at any time throughout the year as they can be lifted in a ball of earth with all the fibrous roots attached. Transplanted when in full flower they are not affected by the removal. The present is a most suitable time for transplanting them. HARDY DECIDUOUS SPECIES. Ghauts or American azaleas, also sinensis or mollus, the Chinese and Japanese forms, are exceedingly popular. They are very hardy deciduous shrubs, and are suitable for planting in t.ho borders and shrubbery. They come into flower before the leaves appear and grow into fair sized bushes. There are d large number of most beautiful hybrids that are well worth growing, especially in localities in which the evergreen azaleas are too tender to survive. The flowers are most distinctive in their colours, ranging from deepscarlet to bright yellow, with various shades of salmon, orange and pink. These azaleas should bo planted during the winter, before they start their new growth. They are of easy culture and will succeed in any good loamy garden soil. AZALEAS IN POTS. The choicer dwarf free-flowering varieties of azalea indica are most beautiful flowering plants for pot culture, j Thorough drainage is essential, arid a compost of good fibrous loam, leaf mould and sand in about equal quantities will be found most suitable for them. They require to be firmly potted, must be regularly watered and occasionally syringed overhead. It is best to place them in a cool light position in the greenhouse near the glass. The double-flowered varieties are most j favoured for pot culture. Plants of these in full flower are gloriously attractive. Suitable sized plants of azaleas lifted from the open ground and potted during the winter, flower profusely and save the trouble of growing them on throughout the year as they are difficult to keep free from thrips and red spider. SOWING AND PLANTING. DETERMINING FACTORS. The time for sowing seeds and planting small seedlings is governed almost entirely by the weather and the quality and condition of the soil. No hard and fast rule can be adhered to in carrying out the instructions and recommendations contained in each weekly calendar of opcrj ations. For instance the moist state of the weather during the past few weeks has rendered the sowing of any flower seeds in the often ground impracticable, and has also greatly interfered with tho planting of seedlings that under favourable conditions should bo planted as stated. Slugs too have been more numerous and destructive and are more difficult to control than ever. Consequently the operator must use his own judgement and defer sowing and planting until conditions are more favourable. Planting tender annuals must be avoided. As a rule the middle of October is the most suitable time for sowing seeds of the half-harrlv kinds in the open ground and the planting of a number of the more tender varieties. CHRYSANTHEMUMS. The importance of strong, healthy cuttings of chrysanthemums cannot be overrated in the raising of young stock. Select the healthiest stools or plants for this purpose, and if anv of them have had less feeding than others, thev will provide the lies* cuttings. Indeed, some growers keep a plant or two of each variety without feeding for tho purpose of supplying cuttings. Another point, is that as many as possible should be rooted at once, especially those varieties which produce very large blooms and require a long time to get sufficiently strong. They cannot make their proper breaks unless they have been rooted in good [ time, 4