DAHLIAS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21473, 22 April 1933, Page 8 (Supplement)

DAHLIAS

CACTUS VARIETIES Tho following is a reliable list of and exhibition varieties of cactus dahlias:—Ballego'a magenta, rosy purple and maroon;, Buccaneer, a glorious rich crimson-scarlet; Edith Carter, yellow, heavily tipped carmiue; F. W. Fellows, brilliant orange-scarlet, very full; E. F. Hawes, salmon pink always, reliable; Gaiety, deep rtagenta pink, one of the best; Galaxy, pure yellow, spotted and striped scarlet; Katherine. Valentine Smith, pure pink, lighter centre, largo; Mrs. E. Bradley, pure white, very erect, rigid stems; Mrs. F. Warner, white centre, shading to pale rose; Nightingale, citron yellow, on long strong stems;-Rebel, -crimson maroon, extra good stems; Red Star, fiery scarlet, a magnificent flower; Saxon, yellow shading to orange at tips, stiff stems; Steadfast, crimson scarlet, very large, good stem; Royalist, crimson scarlet, long narrow petals, one of the. best; Victoria, the best incurved yellow cactus, with long florets; White Triumph, pure white stems, long and wiry, splendid. MINIATURE TYPES Minature decorative or charm dahlias fere a most floriferous and delightful typ6 for cut flowers and garden decoration. The following is a good list: — Baby Royal, salmon pink, shaded apricot yellow base, most floriferous; Baldre, bright cerise, suffused yellow, Dne of tho best; Ella, bright orange red, j very neat and attractive; Kathleen, deep rich apricot; Le Conge Beiges, bronze foliage and almost black Howers, a splendid bedder; Marianne, pure apricot, most floriferous, a gem for cutting; Myfanwy, charming fawn, deepening towards the centre; Nagpur, brilliant scarlet, an outstanding variety; Onah, amber shading to orange, stems rigid; Phyllis Wheaton, rich satiny pink with pale discs; Shot SiiK, cherry cerise, yellow centre; Rita, 6carlet tipped and splashed bright yellow, splendid.

HYBRID SPECIES Hybrid or semi-cactns dahlias form a link between the narrow petalled cactus and the decorative types. The flowers are large and full of attractive and artistic formation. They are carried on stiff, wirelike stems well above the foliage and are most constant. They are splendid for garden decoration and exhibition. This class must become increasingly popular. The flowers retain their fulness to the end of the season. The following varieties are of proved merit: —Ambassador, yellow buff suffused salmon; Eagle Rock Wonder, orange buff, tinted coral pink and splendid; Eugenia, deepest old rose, suffused gold sheen; Flying Officer Waghorn, rich crimson with ruby tints, giant stem; Frau Au Bracht, lemon yellow, a champion of champions; Golden Sonne, ,bright golden yellow, stiff I stems; Jack Hobbs, cream at centre to nearly white at tips; Madame Breeds, lovely rose tint, strong stems; Neum, lovely rose-pink, largo and full jPrince George, deep orango yellow at centre, flaming orange at tips; Pola Negri, deep mahogany brown-red, distinct; Santa Anna, beautiful salmonrose, suffused gold centro; W. H. Waite, delicate pink, suffused salmon, creamy white centro. A list of pompons will bo given next ;woek. LILIES OF THE VALLEY POPULAR DECORATIVE The pure white fragrant flowers of lily 'of the valley (Convalaria majalis) aro universally known and widely grown, oither outside, where climatic conditions are suitable or by forcing. Immense quantities are imported into England front Germany to meet the demand for forcing purposes to supply tho great demand for cut flowers. Tho lily of tho valley is a widely-distributed hardy herbaceous perennial found throughout Europe, North Asia and the "United States. Jn some parts of England quantities are found growing wild in the woods. This plant may be successfully grown throughout New Zealand. Cultivated 111 pots the lily of the valley is much esteemed lor greenliouso and room decoration. PROPAGATION AND CULTIVATION 'I ho method of propagation of lilies of the valley is by tho numerous crowns .that form at the ends of tho creeping roots or underground stems. Jhe crowns should bo lifted in the autumn or at any time before the growth starts. Prepare' a suitable border with u southerly aspect, well trenched and manured, of a naturally moist loamy character and partially shaded. Sort and select the crowns, draw or cut out a shallow trench and place the crowns upright in it 2in. spart with their points 2in. below the surface after filling in tho soil. Cut out other trenches with a space of Din between each. Water during dry weather until tho foliage dies away. When snce planted and established tho crowns keep increasing and tho larger' ones lowering without any attention beyond the' application of a top-dressing of Manure or rich soil in the autumn, mlies of tho valley may be successfully grown- iu Auckland provided suitIble Boil and southerly cool situations ire,, chosen.