THE GREENHOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21130, 12 March 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE GREENHOUSE.

FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE. For some time past, in fact, almost throughout the whole summer, many varieties of bulbous and tuberous plants, such as begonias, gloxinias, gesncrias, achomencs and others, have been among the most attractive features of the greenhouse. No greenhouse, however, where a good display has been maintained, can do without a good collection of foliage plants and ferns. A fairly wide range of both flowering and foliage plants, when tastefully arranged gives a much prettier and more lasting effect than can be produced by either flowering or foliage plants alone. Hanging baskets, fitted with suitable flowering foliago plants and ferns inako valuable additions in decorative purposes. Gloxinia, when in ilower, are extremely showy and when well-grown continue a long time in flower. The greatest success is attained with these when the plants are grown in an even, moist temperature, and shaded from the direct rays of the sun. Theso, however, and other bulbous or tuberous plants that have been in flower over a considerable period will need careful treatment. As soon as the flowers fade water must be gradually withheld until the foliage turns yellow, when the pots should be stored away in a dry place. Other bulbous and tuberous plants as they cease to flower and the tops show signs of decay should bo wJmilarly-treated.

WINTER AND SPRING FLOWERS. Although tuberous begonias still continue to flower and assist to furnish the house with flowers, it can only be a matter of a few weeks before these must yield to nature's demands and take their rest. Few plants that are of comparatively easy culture Ilower more profusely or produce such a diversity of colouring for greenhouse decorations as these. Many of the shrubby varieties, too, are extremely useful free-flowering plants for decorative purposes. In growing flowering plants for winter and spring decoration, the amateur grower wiio has only the convenience of a cool greenhouse will do well to confine his energies to hardy free flowering varieties which, with reasonable care, can be successfully grown. Such kinds, for instance, as cyclamens, primula, sinensis, and obconica, cineraria, etreptocarpa, perpetual carnations, herbaceous calceolarias, shrubby begonias and other hardy, freeflowering plants. Many varieties of hardy bulbs, too, when properly grown in pots ar© invaluable for winter and early spring decoration. RAISING PLANTS FROM SEEDS. In sowing and raising plants from seed the greatest care should be taken that the pans, pots or boxes, as well as the soil should be fresh and clean. The safest plan before sowing is to scald with boiling water the vessels to be used, for sowing, to destroy any germs of fungoid disease, while tho same can be done to 'he soil with advantage. With many varieties of plants propagation by cutting is the only means of perpetuating the varieties as seed may not be easily procurable, or even if obtainable cannot always be depended upon to reproduce the characteristics of the parent plant. In selecting cuttings always take them from healthy plants that are free from disease, or insect-pests. In making the cuttings cut off some of the lower leaves, and then, with a sharp knife, cleanly cut off tho cutting immediately below the joint. There are a few exceptions to tin's rule, such as verbenas, bouvardias, and a few others that strike best when cut between tho joints. Most varieties, however, are best treated as above mentioned. GROWTH FROM CUTTINGS. The autumn is the best time to propagate several varieties of rockery plants and other perennials, notably tho different varieties of : mesembryanthemums, shrubby calceolarias-crassula coccinea zonale, ivyleaved and other kinds of pelargoniums, Marguerite chrysanthemums, gazanias, agathea coolest is, lithospermum, veronicas and several olher plants for early spring planting. The autumn also is suitablo for the propagation of numerous plants that are increased by divisions inserted in seed pans or shallow plant trays in loamy soil, with the addition of one-third river sand under a glass frame near the glass. This is the most approved system of striking the majority of the rockery and other bedding plants. Tender kinds, such as irosines, etc., may be put in later ami placed in the greenhouse. The old system of propagating verbenas, pansies, penstemons and several other plants from cuttings is seldom practised locally, as seeds produeo stronger and better plants and equally good and sometimes better flowers both as to colours and varieties.

DAHLIAS. Dahlias are, strictly speaking, late summer and autumn-flowering plants and are at I lieir best at this season, being benefitted by the longer arid more dewy nights. The foliage drinks in tho moisture from tho dews. Excepting for . tho production of some early (lowers it is a mistake to plant dahlias before tho middlo of November. Planting should bo completed by tho end of December. Tho plants are usually in their best condition of growth towards tho end of February and during or up to about March 20. After then many of the kinds, notably tlie giant-flowering decoratives, begin to show their centres, which is always a defect with this section. Recent rains have greatly benefited the plants and checked the ravages of caterpillars*