GREENHOUSE PLANTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20235, 20 April 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

GREENHOUSE PLANTS.

PROBLEM OF WATERING

The season has again arrived when increased a (tent ion will have to be given to the requirements of indoor plants. With the decreasing temperature evaporation is naturally slower, and the moisture is longer retained in the soil. During the autumn and winter months water requires to bo carefully and judiciously applied, especially to tender or slow-growing plants or any that arc showing signs of decay. Too much caro cannot be taken in (he matter of watering, for there is no doubt that mora plants suffer from the indiscriminate use of water during (ho cold, moist weather than for the want o{ it.

The mistake is too often m.acje by watering at stated intervals whether the plants require it or not. One ot the chief arts in plant culture is to know how and when to apply water. The only reasonable method to follow is to water ns soon as the soil shows signs of dryness and then give sufficient to moisten the soil throughout. Plants naturally vary considerably in their requirements. FACTORS GOVERNING WATERING. A slow-growing variety, for instance, will not consume anything like the amount of moisture that rapidly-growing plants that have filled the pots with roots will. The position they occupy in the house, too, may affect their requirements. If exposed to tho full rays of the sun or the free circulation of air tliey may require more frequent watering. Any observant grower will soon lie able to single out the plants that need the most attention. Bulbous and tuberous-rooted plants th.it have flowered so profusely, will at this timo need careful treatment. To preserve these bulbs and tubers in a sound condition tho greatest care must lift exercised in watering during the autumn, or until they are quito dormant. SPARING APPLICATIONS NEEDED. As soon as the plants show signs of decay water must be sparingly applied, tho plants being given only sufficient to prevent the tops from withering. As the tops drop away naturally from the bulbs, watering must cease and the bulbs in their pots should be stored on a dry shelf or turned 011 their sido under the bench. Begonias that have been planted in tho outdoor beds or borders should not be disturbed until the tops die away. The bulbs should then lie carefully lifted and after drying, should bo placed in dry sand and stored where they will be free from drip. In order to keep up a display, every available autumn and winter-flowering plant should be brought into use. Tho streptocarpus is an invaluable auhjninflowering plant, the new hybrid varieties producing large trumpet-shaped flowers of various shades of colour. Tho flowers, standing well above the dark green foliage, produco a fine effect. •

EFFECTIVE WINTER FLOWERS. Many of the shrubby or fibrous-rooted Igonitis are effective autumn and wintcrflowcrinp plants, while early-sown primulas, both the sinensis and obeonion) varieties, may be had in flower almost, throughout/ the whole winter, tyelarnen are veil known aS quaint, and beautiful dwarf-flowering subjects. They avo popular not only for their lovely, flowers,

which, when well grown, are produced in tho greatest profusion, but also for their prettily-marked foliage. Being comparatively hardy, they grow and flower well in any cool greenhouso. When well grown they como into flower very early, and may with reasonable caro bo had in bloom throughout tho whole winter season. Cinerarias required for early flowering should be potted on from time to timo as required. The chief secret in raising these successfully is to keep the plants growing freely from tho timo they are raised until they come into flower. Chyrsarithemums in pots, when well grown, make valuablo plants for indoor decoration. In addition to the plants mentioned tliero are many varieties of bulbs, which, if potted and treated as advised some weeks ago, should como info flower early and assist to keep up a display at a time when other flowers aro scarce. TO CORRESPONDENTS. S.J.N*., Dnrgnville.—Plant to identify is Bidens' pilosa (Bur-Marigold >. nn important weed. A common cosmopolitan weed of warm countries. F,.J.L„ Mnuku.—The old Reed-heads of i'rotea mcllifera should ho cut off, not only for (lie appearance, but for tho benefit, of the plant. By allowing some to mature and produce ripo seeds young seedlings may bo obtained—a better system of propagation than layering. Only a small percentage of the seeds contain sound germs. By cutting some the seeds you can ascertain if they pro worth saving. An old plant, such as yours, should contain a fair number of good seeds. A.U.K.. Kemuera.—Flowering perennial 1o name is Helianthus orgyilis. one of tlio best of the autumn-flowering perennial sunflowers. The numerous yellow flowers form a lurgo panicle. It is a native of the United States. The variety, "Helianthus nngustifolius (narrow leaved), i 3 very similar and equally showy " Curious." Mount Roskill.—Ro the best means of killing a willow tree without grubLing it out (which would destroy a cliunp of punga. tree ferns close by). Cut a ring around the stem, close to the surface, about j Jin. deep and about sin. in width and pour a strong solution of caustic soda around immediately above tho bark on the* lower side of the cut. Make one application aftei tlie ringing and another when tho sap is rising in early spring. "Lemon."—Young Villa Franca lemon planted too close to hedge may be removed with safety about the middle of next month Disease that has atTected the apple is block spot. " Admirer," F.llcrslie. < Botanical, name of pretty yellow flower is 'Lecoma snuthu. .T.TT.. Hastings.—Name of grass scrd is I'halnria arundinacea, one of the canary grasses, a native species commonly called reed grass.

" Curious," Matamata.—Xamo of treo of which you liayo forwarded a sample for identification is Salix caprea cinerea, n form of S. Caprea, the common, sallow or goat willow. The flowers, known as catkins, precede tho leaves and ore very pretty and much used for decorations. It is the earliest flowering of British willows. An easily-grown and exceeding ornamental hardy tree. "W.C.8., Olahuhu.—Tacnonia mollissima that is out of bounds may be cut moderately hard back. Quick-growing, hardy hedge for cold situation may bo chosen from Oxylobium. Pittosporum crassifolium and Escallonia ingramii. The latter is tho slowest growing of the three, but is very hardy Hid dense. 8.M.5., Featherston.—The yellowed-flow ered Cape wed (CryptostemnmJ is a most difficult variety to lull Hoed up and exposed to the sua it retains sufficient vitality to ripen its numerous seed-he.ids. Tho best plan is to hoe up, rake o!f : nd burn the old plants. "And when tho i-ecd-lings are coming up next spring top-dress with sulphate ot ammonia. April is Ihe best month to top-dress and apply fertilisers to lawns. Where the soil is poor and, the grass slow to start an early s-prini; manuring may be advantageously applied. 'U.K.. Parn el I.—for lawn badly infesied with daisies a preparation called lawn t'.aiul is effective, or sulphate of ammonia Apply both i.r the spring. J.M., Remucra.—Toward the end of die (lowering season is tho best timo to do any pruning to Acacia Baileyand. The handsome evenly-shaped dessert applt is the well-known Cox's Orange Pippin, ouo of the best dourer* varieties. The other is a poor specimen of Sharp's lale red. The disease us shown in the cut apples is bitter pit. Spraying Bordeaux mixture, the fi-4-10 formula, has been found the best. Homo trees, with age. grow mil of it. It is best to avoid thosu varieties I hat are subject to it A.M.V.S., Kiwi tea.—Feijoya sellowiana is fairly hardy and should succeed in your high altitude. Plants may be obtained from any Auckland nursery or seedsman " Amateur," Dargaville.—American Wonder and William Hurst are very prolific varieties of peas of excellent flavour, for very early planting Manure should be sparsely used with earliest, sowings. Farmyard manure well incorporated with tho soil is best both for early peas and potatoes The decayed pine needles arc better applied separately as a surface dressing. " Vine." Cambridge.—Albany Surprise is the hardiest and best grapo vine for outdoor culture and Black Hamburgh for i,i door. Gros-Colman is the. best late berry. Requires artificial heat to properly ripen. " Lindum." Remuera.—ln portion of your kitchen garden where buildings obscure the sun and the soil is volcanic and rather wet during the winter, lettuces, rhubarb, cabbages, beefs, horse radish, leeks, parsnips, mint and crss should succeed. Lucerne would do better in an open, sunny situation. G.F., fiisborne.—Apples to hand in perfect condition. Tho name is Tosma, known as Democrat when first sent out. It is a Tasmanian-raised seedling most evenlyshaped, and one of tho most highly coloured and handsome apples in cultivation. The flavour is most agreeable. Its handsome appearance, size and flavour fhould make it a popular homo-use and commercial variety. Ketos.