RANUNCULUS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21112, 20 February 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

RANUNCULUS.

SEVERAL BRILLIANT COLOURS. The ranunculus ranks next in importance to the anemone. Both are largely grown in all gardens of any importance. The giant French (Asiaticus superbissirnus) or garden ranunculus in large, double, semi-double and single flowers in most brilliant colours in almost all shades are the most popular and easily grown. The Persian produce compact double flowers in several brilliant colours. All are very beautiful. The turbans are another section the flowers of which are of enormous size, with few varieties. A green with a scarlet edge, deep carmine, orange yellow and scarlet arc some of tho most distinct. Special beds should be prepared for ranunculus. 'J hey prefer a moist, welldrained soil thaf has been previously manured. Any time in March is suitable for commencing planting at intervals to provide a succession. Draw drills, 2in. deep and sin. or 6in. apart. Sprinkle some river sand along the bottom of tho drills. Insert the roots claws downward, press them firmly into the sand and cover them with fine soil. Large beds or borders of ranunculus present a bright display when "they are in full bloom. Anemones and ranunculi are' specially prized for cut flowers. MISCELLANEOUS BULBS. A few of the allium varieties are useful on account of their hardiness and early flowering. Some become troublesome weeds that are difficult to get rid of-when once established. Freesias are too well known and appreciated for comment, excepting to advise immediate planting of the first batch. The new hybrid varieties have increased the populai'ity of this favourite class of bulbous plants." MUSCARI AND SCILLAS. Muscari, the grape hyacinth, and scillas, the common blue bell or wood hyacinth, should be planted now. The grape hyacinth are conspicuous and very quaint little bulbous plants with mostly bright blue flowers well adapted for naturalising among short grass and planting in groups in the mixed border. Scillas or wood hyacinths are specially adapted for naturalising along woodland walks and for borders. Garden forms of this species include a large white grandiflora, Alba rosea (rose) and rubra (red flowered). Alstroemerias, watsoriias, brodiaeas, zephyranthes, etc., may be planted now. PLANTING BULBS. As a rule the month of March is considered the best time for the general planting of the preceding species of bulbs. To provide as prolonged a season of flowering as possible successional plantings may be made as long as the bulbs are in fit condition. When planted out of season anemones and ranunculi are likely to experience too wet a period and suffer a set-back. This is often the case with the ranunculus planted in heavy soils. The leaves turn yellow, imparting a sickly appearance to the plants. The grower must be guided by the character of the soil. PLANTS UNDER GLASS. CARE IN POTTING. The heat experienced for many ■ weeks past has rendered it no easy matter, even when all the available ventilation has been given, to keep the temperature of glasshouses under control. Such conditions have naturally resulted in more care having to be given to watering on account of the more rapid evaporation of moisture. It is, however when the plants are making the most vigorous growth that the greatest care is needed in keeping their wants supplied, as well as using every means to keep insect pests under control. At this time a nice general moist temperature is the most effective means of checking the spread of pests that attack the foliage of many plants. When the plants are growing freely more attention is naturally required in polling, as some varieties root so freely as to quickly absorb all the nutriment from the soil, so that either potting must be done or the plants must be supplied artificially with the material required to sustain health and vigour. Manure water judiciously applied at this time will do much to keep the plants in a healthy growing condition. In potting there can be no hard and fast rule that will apply to all plants as they vary so widely in root growth that the size of pots that would he large enough to grow some plants to perfect ion would starve others, though they may be quite equal in size of plants. In such cases one can only be guided by close observation. The safest rule for the amateur to adopt is to pot only when the plants are we'll furnished with roots. ' This may result in some measure of the plants becoming pot bound before the work is performed, but even this is safer than increasing the size of pots before the roots havp reached the sides of the pot they are growing in. Over potting and injudicious watering is the cause of many failures. Plenty of drainage should be placed in the bottom of .the pots.