CYCLAMENS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20868, 9 May 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

CYCLAMENS.

FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE. Cyclamens claim/ special attention at this season. They are the brightest and quaintest flowering plants for outdoor, find grow in pots, throughout tho late winter, spring and'"early summer months. They well repay any care that may he bestowed upon their cultivation. 1 hey are quite hardy' growing freely and flowering profusely in tho open ground. They are best adapted ior planting in round beds cut out of the grass, or for planting at suitable distances apart near tho front of tho mixed border. Tho soil best suited for cyclamens is a Viell-draiued, fairly moist loam with some powdered cow duhg, with a little coarse sand incorporated with the soil near each plant. When in beds arrange the plants about 12vn. apart each way and leave tho top ot the bulbous rootstock, from v. hi eh tho leaves and flowers proceed.

slightly above the surfaco soil. Cyclamens i, aro ,'i!so suitable rock garden plants. Nestling in some /of the upper pockets they are most effective. In addition to

tho I'ersicum varieties, there are several liardy species that are specially adapteil for the rock garden. Cyclamens are not only icinarkable for/ their lovely (lowers, tint, also for their/ beautifully marked leaves, and dwarf habit of growth.

POT CULTURE METHODS. Few plaaits aro better adapted and more appreciated than cyclamens, when properly grown in pots, and in full flower for winter and spring flowering. They require to be grown on from the seedling to tho flowering stage without a check. To effect this pot the seedlings into small three inch pots with successive shifts into four, five and six inch. i pots. A compost of equal parts ol' loam and leaf, soil with a littlo sand added and some dry chopped up cow dung, is most suitable, with good drainage. They /require to be grown in a light airy place'near the glass to prevent drawing. When the pots aro filled with roots, an occasional (lose of liquid manure should bo given. Cyclamens are subject to green /fly and occasionally, i -5. in unfavourable places and suffer- [,' ? n S from improper watering, to red B P'^ er an d thrips for which treatment •~P' CIUS ' 1 k° promptly adopted.