GREENHOUSE PLANTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

GREENHOUSE PLANTS.

EARLY-FLOWERING VARIETIES

Among early-flowering greenhouse plants at present in bloom, tiieio aro few that mako a more attractive display than cineraries, cyclamen, and tho different varieties of primulas. Tlieso aro essen tiallv cool house plants and can bo sue cessfully grown in greonhouso or frame However, these are by no means the only varieties to be seen in flower at this time. At tho Ellerslie racecourse and Domain magnificent specimens of many varieties or orchids and other tropical plants can be seen in tho greatest perfection of form These can only be satisfactorily grown by persons having heated houses adapted to their culture and an expert knowledge of how to grow them. Plants naturally vary widely in their requirements and cannot bo. successfully grown tinder common conditions. Somo

varieties will stand and even require almost tropical heat, while others, and among these arc cinerarias, primulas, "cyclamen, herbaceous calceorlarias, tuberous begonias, and various others, can only bo successfully grown in a cool, moist temperature.

SPECIAL CARE NEEDED.

Even when grown under tho most favourable conditions certain varieties need special care, as thev are so subject to the attack of green aphis. This is especially tho caso with cinerarias and calceolarias. It is only by constant watching and by taking efficient preventive measures that tho plants can bo kept free from those pests To keep cinerarias in a healthy condition and prolong tho flowering period, manure water should bo freely applied. Herbaceous calceolarias, Gloxinia, tuberous begonias, streptocarpus, and various other flowering plants follow in succession, and maintain an attractive display. Some of tho earlier-sown calceolarias should soon ho sufficiently advanced to shift into their flowering pots. Caro is required in potting, as tho foliage is very brittle and easily broken. Gloxinias are extremely showy flowering plants and List a long tirno in floaver. Bulbs that havo been stored away will now bo starting and should bo shaken free of tho old soil and lie repotted into clean pots, using a compost of good, turfy loarn and leaf mould with a little well-de-composed manure anil a sprinkling of silver sand.

TUBEROUS-ROOTED BEGONIAS.

Tuberous begonias, too, are nmonj the 11103 L beautiful of sumuier and autumnflowering plants. For decorating tho greenhouse or conservatory thev aro unsurpassed, their rich and varied colours being in striking contrast with other plants in flower at that time. For outdoor cultivation they aro equally valuable. The Horiferous character of the plants, and the length of time they continue to bloom renders them invaluable either for interspersing among plants in the borders or for clustering togother in separate beds. As thie is the time for starting the tubers into growth, those intended for outdoor planting may be placed into small pots until they aro well started, when they may bo planted out as desired. In no case should the plants intended for outside planting be started in heat, but should bo allowed to comrnenco naturally and become as hardy as possible. For indoor cultivation they may bo kept in the greenhouse until they show signs of starting, when they should bo shaken freo of tho old soil and repotted in a coinpost of cood, turfy loam and leaf mould with a little uand added.