AMONG THE FLOWERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21118, 27 February 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

AMONG THE FLOWERS.

| ; GENERAL OPERATIONS. The bountiful rains have penetrated deep down, thoroughly soaking the soil and imparting a vigour of growth and freshness seldom experienced at this season. The moisture has enabled the sowing of flower seeds in time to germinate quickly and become well established and out of the reach of slugs before the weather breaks. The hardy varieties of annuals and biennials sown in the autumn provide flowers at a time when there is a general scarcity. Winter-flowering sweet peas may be transplanted into their flowering quarters and seeds of the summer flowering variety cither sown under glass or in prepared places in the open ground.

ANNUALS. / >. y Phlox Drummondii, zinnias, petunias, verbenas and coreopsis are always popular. Large beds and groups of theso best of all summer-flowering annuals, as well as French and African marigolds are splendid dry weather subjects. They flourished and presented the greatest profusion of many-coloured flowers throughout the previous long dry spell. Annuals now present an interesting and varied display. Splendid effects and striking contrasts may, by tho judicious uses of the various kinds of annuals, be produced, in a very short time. Too much can scarcely be said in favour of these indispensabie subjects Tor tho decoration of the flower garden in our climate throughout the greater portion of the year. The introduction of some new varieties and the wonderful improvements in the older 'kinds, such as the elimination of objectionable colours and the substitution of others, including lovely art shades. An improved habit of growth and the much more floriferous and lasting character has added greatly to the popularity of annuals which have of late almost if nob entirely displaced the once orthodox bedding plants, so much in vogue during previous years. Many object to annuals on account of the/ frequent replacements that have to be made to provide a continuous succession. This, however, is an advantage, as it allows the ground they occupied to be properly treated when vacated during the( time the different varieties have done' flowering and are ready to dig under and prepare for replanting.

THE LILIUM FAMILY. Lilinnis, notably tlic varieties of Specicsuni, Auratum, the'golden-rayed lily of Japan, the belladonnas, brunsvigias, and different varieties of crinums enliven the garden Arid grounds \vith their attractive and highly, perfumed .blQSspms. . The hardy varieties are specially adapted for naturalising- on. grassy ■ banks and in oilier localities. When once planted they reed ltot be disturbed. They push up their flower stems at a regular time in the autumn irrespective of the condition of the soil. This was evidenced by the flower stems appearing through the dry hard ground previous to the late rains. CHRYSANTHEMUMS. Chrysanthemums need special attention from now until the flowers begin to develop. Taking the bud at the second crown is usually selected for show purposes. Locally, this bud makes its appearance in February and continues later. Select tho buds as they appear rubbing off any side buds. Spray with a combined insecticide and fungicide for caterpillars and rust. Keep the selected shoots tied up and give the plants an occasional dose of weak liquid manure.

/' DAHLIAS. Dahlias have greatly benefited by the leaking (he ground hf.s received and they are the outstanding floral feat-ire of our gardens. The new shoots must be regularly arranged and tied up. Some of the superfluous buds should be pinched off to obtain larger and finer blossoms. Caterpillars are prevalent holing into and destroying the flower buds. Spray with annate of lead or hand pick. ARTIFICIAL MANURES. In using artificial manures tfiey should rlways be as finely pulverised as possible before application, so that they can be more evenly scattered on the surface and afterwards hoed or lightly forked in the fioij. .Ammonia manures should not be mixed with lime, basic, superphosphate or basic slag, or else much nitrogen will be lost. Nitrate of soda and lime, when mixed with superphosphate, guano or dissolved bones, become moist and sticky, while a small quantity of nitrogen is lost. Superphosphate and dis- • solved bones also react chemically with basic slag, and the soluble phosphates are so changed that they only become available after some time. Potash is an essential for all plant foods. It does not seem to perform any isolated function, but experiments have shown that without potash other salts are of no avail. Phosphate of potash is ft valuable manure, as it supplies two necessary ingredients of plant food, but is somewhat expensive. Fresh wood ashes supply potash, and, as they comprise most of the manure that plants or trees have absorbed, thev are a valuable natural fertiliser. fife . .