CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21100, 6 February 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

A CRITICAL PERIOD.

The beginning of February is a most anxious time for both the professional and amateur chrysanthemum growers, especially if they have not grown tho variety befor», as they do not know ■which bud to select. The first crown bud is generally the one that produces / the finest flowers, but in most cases tho second crown is the most satisfactory, and is generally selected. Tho first crown is best for those varieties that have not many petals, but when taken at the proper time produces the largest flowers. The second crown is tho best for the full petalled varieties. Taking the bud is the term used for retaining the bud. The first crown bud is the one that is formed at tho apex of the selected shoots after the first break and has a clean flower stem without any side buds. Roughly speaking it takes from 40 to 50 days to develop into a perfect flower, according to the variety. THE SECOND CROWN. The second crown, the bud usually //selected for local conditions and shows, makes its appearance about the middle of February and later. When one has pinched the tops off the three or four '< Belected shoots they will throw out side Bhoota. Allow the shoot <?n each to // grow on and pinch off all the others. The end of December or the first week in January is the best time to pinch back the selected shoots. Buds that ap- ' / pear after the first stopping in November are first crowns, and those appearing after the second stopping are jecond crowns. TERMINAL BUD FORMATION. In many instances the crown bud will either be deformed or eaten into by i caterpillars, and rendered worthless or appear too soon. Under these conditions allow a fresh growth to extend which, will produce what is known as a terminal bud formation and different from the crown in having flower buds immediately below it. Reserve the terminal flower bud and rub the others off. Terminal buds develop quickly and should not be taken until about a month after the time fixed for taking the crown buds. AFTERCULTURE AND FEEDING. Dry weather, such as we have had lately, necessitates frequent waterings. - Keep the soil at the roots well mulched and apply an occasional dose of liquid manure. Cow dung placed in a barrel with a little soot and diluted until it is the colour of weak tea is an excellent H stimulant. Nitrate of soda or sulphate ammonia may be applied, using one ounce to the gallon of water. Apply the liquid manure once •every week until the . f flower buds begin to show colour, then discontinue to prevent damping. ORDINARY PURPOSES. Chrysanthemums grown for ordinary , garden decoration and for cut flowers ' need no special attention, except in keeping the soil around them liberally mulched and watered. Give an occasional dose of liquid manure. Some of the shoots that crowd the plants should be cut off and the numerous flowers, when they appear, ''should bo well /pinched to produce fine heads of flowers. Spraying for rust and caterpillars must be attended to. 7 LILIUMS. BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS. Liliuni auratum, the golden-rayed lily of Japan, is now in full flower, permeating the garden with their delicious perfume. !■' Jhe large flowers are produced on stout , stems and are white with a prominent golden band in the centre of each petal, I, which is spotted brownish-red. The flower stems often come much flattened or fasciated instead of the round or cylindiical form. Enormous heads of flowers ' are produced upon these abnormal stems. -There are scvoral sub-varieties of this superb lily. Auratum platyphylluin and rubro-vittatum are distinct forms. The species are adapted for growing in the . open ground and also for pot culture. OTHER VARIETIES. Lilium tigrimun in single and double flowered forms are also in full bloom. The colour is deep bright orange-rod, with numerous small distinct purplish-black spots. Tiger lilies are easily grown, and are very showy, hardy and distinct. The / varieties of lilium speciosum, which produce stately heads of pure white, rose arid crimson flowers, spotted with claret red. are now in bloom. The lilium in ils many species and varieties is one of the noblest and most beautiful of all bulbous plants. By planting a selection of tho earliest, medium and late flowering kinds a long season of flowering may be covered. They require a deeply-worked, well-dra'ned soil that is enriched with manure. The bulbs should / lie deeply inserted. The variety llenryi should be planted as much as five inches beneath th«i surface when 111<-> stems are showing their (lowerbiids, The surface soil 'around tho bane should be well mulched and liberally watcrod during dry periods.