PLANTS UNDER GLASS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

PLANTS UNDER GLASS

SEASONABLE TREATMENT In greenhouses where a variety of plants ftte grown, there is probably no season of the year when they require more careful management than during July and 'August. At .this time the temperature is usually at it 3 lowest, and this, together with an excess of moisture is soon felt by piany of the more tender subjects. riant?., when making little or no growth, require but littlo water, in fact the drier many of them can be kept the better; particularly summer flowers, bulbous and tuberous rooted plants that should now be practically -dormant. Many of the deciduous flowering plants, climbing plants, etc., are better kept fairly dry throughout the nest month or until they show signs of again starting into growth. It is after a long season of comparative rest, that many of the plants require special treatment. / REPOTTING OF PLANTS Almost every plant in the house / will now be benefited by being repotted. In performing this operation, many of the plants will require to be. freed of much of the old soil, which" will naturally have become exhausted and soured by excess of moisture during the winter. In repotting, come knowledge of the varieties and their requirements is essential, as it does not in .every case mean increasing the size of the pots, for, while this may be necessary with strong vigorous growing (Varieties, others may be benefited by shaking the old soil from the roots, washing them clean and repotting in as small pots as they can be placed. A good mixture of soil, clean pots and plenty of drainage will do much in assisting to reinvigorate plant growth. IMPORTANCE OF DRAINAGE Any amateur "grow'ers thoroughly experienced in watering will do well when , potting to fill the pots at least one-third with broken rocks, scoria, or other rubble that will allow of free drainage. This is most important as insufficient drainage is almost sure to land the grower in difficulties. After potting, water must be sparingly applied until fresh root action takes place. Without the aid of artificial heat it is almost impossible to keep many of the more delicate and tender plants in a growing condition, while it often requires the most careful treatment to keep such plants alive in winter. It is far better for amateur growers to confine their collections to the more hardy, cool-house plants, that with reasonable care can be successfully grown. // . EARLY FLOWERING PLANTS Every encouragement should be given to all early flowering plants. To keep up a succession of" flowers is the aim of most plant growers. This may in a great measure be accomplished by selecting and growing fairly hardy, free flowering pldnts, to suit the season, such for instance ns primula, sinensis and the liiore approved varieties of obconica; these are Invalcable winter and spring flowering planta and, are hardy and of easy culture. ' Cyclamens, too, are indispensable for winter decoration. These, together with shrubby begonias, and other free flowering tool-bouso plants, will continue to keop up a display until cinerarias, herbaceous. calceolaria and other spring flowering plants como in. CINERARIAS AND CALCEOLARIAS Cinerarias should now be making vigorous growth, and should be potted o» from, time to time as they advance in growth. Those should never be allowed to beeomo pot-bound until they have been finally shifted into thoir flowering pots. Herbaceous calceolarias require similar treatment, but ir. potting special care must bo taken not to injure the foliage, ss it is very brittle and easily broken. Both of the above named aro subject to the green aphis and require occasional fumigating or other preventive remedies. These 1 calceolarias, when well grown, are among the most beautiful and attractive of spring flowering plants and amply repay for any caro bestowed upon their culture. Many varieties of hardy flowering bulbs, too, if I treated as advised some fnonths ago, ' make valuable additions to greenhouse decorations. Hyacinths, narcissus, tulips, lachcnalias, anemones, frecsias and others, when properly treated, flower well in pots. OVERHAULING THE GREENHOUSE Tho whole of the greenhouse should, at this time, receive a good overflaul. All climbing plants should be taken down from their supports and be sponged over with I insecticide to destroy mealy bug or other garden pests. The material upon which t | la Plants are placed upon the benches, removed and be replaced with 4csi clean material. The rafters and woo'dnHH'' ' s^ be well washed and if iSff' 50 " s t0 Induce as healthy atmosphere as possible.