THE GREENHOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20384, 12 October 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE GREENHOUSE.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

With the favourable change in the weather a marked change can bo seen in the growth of most greenhouse plants. Numbers of plants that had to bo carefully nursed during the winter months is again starting into active growth, while most of the more hardy kinds are now growing vigorously. Prom this time onward too much attention cannot bo given to their requirements. As the season advances and tho temperature increases evaporation will naturally be more rapid and greater care will need to be exercised in watering, potting and keeping insects under control.. As the heat of the sun increases extra ventilation becomes necessary, and this naturally results in the soil in tho pots drying inoro quickly, so that extra care is required in watering. As the growth increases tho greater is tho demand made by tho roots and unless this demand is provided healthy growth cannot be maintained. A genial, moist temperature, too, is an important factor in producing healthv growth. To keep up a succession of flowering plants such free-flowering varieties' as herbaceous calceolaria, gloxinias, tuberous begonias, archimenes, and other early summer flowering plants should be cultivated.

The calceolarias aro among the most attractive of early summer flowering, plants. They are naturally cool house plants and succeed best when grown in a cool frame until the plants are well advanced or until tliey commence to throw up their flowering stems. Few plants _ aro more susceptible to the attack of aphis, and on this account they require to be carefully watched and tho pest kept under control bv fumigation or other method. Gloxinias are usually the next to bloom. They are extremely showy plants and last a long tiino in flower. As soon as the bulbs show signs of starting shako them free of the old soil and repot in a mixture of rich, fibrous loam and leaf mould, with a little silver sand added. After they have started keep the plants in a niron even fairly moist temperature, as they do not like sudden changes of temperature.

USE OF LIQUID MANURE

Among earlv, hardy, free-flowering plants primulas, cinerarias and cyclamen are the chief features of attraction. They make a very pleasing display, and to keep such plants in a healthy growing condition and to prolong the flowering period manure water should bo 3*? di* ciously applied. Cinerarias, especially, require liberal treatment, for when growing and flowering freely they soon absorb the food properties from the soil, and unless this is supplied by repotting into fresh soil it must be supplied In a liquid form or tho plants soon weaken and cease to flower. Manure water, in fact, plays an important part in the successful cultivation of plants, more especially of free, rapid-growing varieties., Discretion, however, is required in its use so as not to give strong stimulants to plants until they are woll established. Unless the roots aro in such condition as to be able to assimilate tho food supplied it may have an injurious instead of beneficial effect. Another important matter is not to apply manure solution of too strong s nature, as it is always safe? to appljj jreaker

strength and mora often than. to rislc failure. Manuro water should in no case be applied to plant 3 recently potted, for if tho soil has been properly mixed and propared it should contain all tho food properties necessary to ensure healthy growth. Tho safest rulo is to apply liquid manure when tho plants can no lon per obtain tho necessary quantity of food from tho soil to sustain healthy growth.

TO COKIvESPONDENTS.

•'Shrub." To Arohn.—Tho numo of tlio shrub is Korria japouica, tho only species known to cultivation. There is a doubleflowered variety as welt as the singleflowered one. und also a form having tho loaves variegated with sea green and pure white. They are handsome-flowering, deciduous, hardy plants. They are natives of Japan, the natural order being rosaceao. G.8.P., Faiha.—Farmyard manuro would bo tho best fertiliser for a tecoma hedgo growing ill black loamy soil, mixed with shell and small shingle. Blood and bono and bonedust in equal parts is the next hest. Escallonia Ingramn is one of tho best and hardiest of eurdon hedges. It is dense growing and very, ornumcntal and requires very little, attention, one annual clipping being sufficient. It is of a permanent character. Sand makes an excellent mulch during dry weather. K.G., Great South Road.—The names of flowers sent for identification are.oaxifrace crassifoliu (thick-leaved). Ibis is an extremely useful rockery plant, being a nativo of Siberia. It flowers during tho winter and is very acceptable when other flowers aro scarce. 2. Sedum opposilifoliuru. Another rock plant, now ill full bloom. It is often, but erroneously, called London Pride. Saxifraga umbrosu is the true London Pride. :i. Plectranthus. fvutirosiis,. the eockspur flower; a native ol C'ape Colony. a. Diplacus glutinosus, a slender-growing shrub, with glutinous leaves. It is amenable to training. ;>. X-.itho-spermuni prontratum. It has deep blue flowers and is a very handsome, dwarftrailing plant, most useful for rock work. C. Lcycestcria formosa.

C.N., Pacron.—The, three Cnpressui Lawsoniana that have died in different places in tho row aro affected with root fungus, which is, if unchecked, likely to spread to tho oilier trees. The only remedy ib to well fork quicklime and sulphur with the soil ,0V White Island produot No. 1, occasionally stirring tho soil, as exposuro to the air is detrimental to thiß species of fungus. Do not replant anything in the same places until next, winter. Four-year-old Tjawsonianus may bo transplanted after taking them up carefully with perfect safety. Tho sample of soil containing the white stringy-like fungus that is destroying your anemones is to , hand. Tho samo treatment of the soil is, recommended. Carbon bisulphide infused in tho soil by making small round holes about Bin. or l'Jin. deep und pourine 2oz. of the liquid into each and closing it with earth permeates the soil and completely destroys insect and parasitic life. Make the holes about 2ft. apart; Soil from the rubbish heap often contains fungus spores generated from old clippings. G.T., Tawa.—The old walnut trees, judging from tho portions of branches sent, are literally smothered with growth of lichen, which must greatly impair and eventually destroy the trees if left unchecked. 'J ho caustic soda-alkali solution is much tho most effective, and, if the trees have not stalled into growth, use 21b. instoad lib. of canstio soda to make it most effective. if applied through a fine nozzle, it will thoroughly moisten tho wholo of, tho branches. Tho Binall quantity of liquid that reaches the grass beneath tho trees will not affect stock that are grazing, in tho paddock. Newly-slacked roach lime will kill most of the moss and may bo applied through a coarser nozzle. " Curious." Epsom.—Tho shrub now showing heads of reddish lilac flowers is Hebcclinium macrophyJlum. It is now known under tho name of eupatoruni. Although a native of tropical America,, it grows in tho open in sheltered positions at Epsom. The common white speoies that has bt'como naturalised hero is Eupatorium ripnrium, a native of South America. It is now in full flower. Tho Epacns purpurascens that lias become naturalised at Manurewa is very difficult to transplant and establish. Your bent plan will be to procure small plants taken. up carefully with a ball of earth. Tho original cosmos, from which all the large-flowered varieties owe their origin, is a native of Meiico, that storehouse of beautiful flowers. Kisros.