SWEET PEAS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21562, 5 August 1933, Page 8 (Supplement)

SWEET PEAS

ESSENTIALS TO SUCCESS When planting out sweet peas it is essential to shake all the soil from the roots and get these, their whole length down into the soil. It is important that the main roots have a direct downward course. Do not plant deeper than the collar, and press the soil well around them, afterwards giving them a dusting of soot or lime to keep away slugs and snails. If the plants have not already been stopped, pinch them now and place a few twiggy sticks around them. Many plants, no doubt, that were planted out early, have damped off at the collar. There is no cure for this, and the plants should be pulled up and burned. This will happen if plants have been grown several years in tho same trench. This is bad policy and never leads to good results unless the soil —or part at least —is changed every year. Sour soil and that deficient in lime also leads to this trouble. Staking is one matter which must be attended to when tho plants have become established, and if these are being grown for garden decoration only the sticks should be from 6ft. to Bft. in height. EXHIBITION BLOOMS Tf sweet peas are , grown for largo blooms a little moro time and care is necessary, and there is nothing better than tapering bamboo canes, Bft. to ,10ft. in height. A strong post should bo placed at either end of the rows, on which tho cross pieces should bo fixed to fasten wires to keep. tho canes in position. These should be tied firmly in position. Many growers now prefer to use special pea-netting in place of bamboos, wire and twine. TYING UP THE SHOOTS Tying the shoots to the canes should be commenced-when largo enough, in the case of those trained on what is known as the cordon system. This must ho done carefully without strangling the fragile shoots. Several side shoots will appear from the shoots that have been stopped, and robust growers may have two or three taken up, while the weaker growers should, only have one. Choose tho strongest as near tho base as possible. When the plants are making good headway, mulch them after a good soaking of rain. Do not use any form of stimulants until after the first blooms have opened and do not give dribbles of water. Spraying is an advantage after a hot day. VARIETIES OF PALMS THE GARDEN AND HOME What varieties of palms aro the best for garden decoration ? is a question often asked. One variety is Chamaerops excelsa. The leaves aro fanshaped and it, therefore, is known as the fan palm. The fronds are from three to six feet long, enclosed at the base in a dense mass of rough fibre and armed at the edges with small teeth like spines. The fan-shaped, leaves aro split deeply into segments, which stand erect and are of a deep green colour. It is very hardy in the open. Phoenix canadensis is one of the most graceful of palms with wide spreading arching pinnate leaves, broadly lanceshaped in outline with long narrow pinnae. Phoenix roebelini is a most graceful house palm. This kind will eventually oust all other kinds for hon*e decoration. It dislikes cold and draught. It is not recommended for bush house culture. Grown in a greenhouse it will give good results. Brahea filamentosa (Washington weeping palm) is a splendid specimen for lawns, and also for decorative purposes. It grows very rapidly, and providing it has good protection will make a handsome plant. Kentia forsteriana is one of the finest palms for table and home decoration. Besides being one of tho most graceful and ornamental palms for the house and conservatory, it is also one of tho hardiest and easiest to grow. It is not affected by dust and the dry air of the house, and will grow and thrive where few other plants would live, and will continue to increase in size and beauty for many years. SOUTH AMERICAN BEAUTY Cocos weddelliana (South America) is probably the most beautiful palm in existence. No collection would be perfect without including a specimen. The leaves are feather-like and gracefully disposed. The stem is covered with dark, brownish hairs or netted fibre. It is really a hothouse plant and dislikes being moved. Plants two feet high and well furnished can bo grown in quite small pots. Rhapis flabellifonnis, known as the ground rattan cane, is a singular palm with a reed-like stem and small leaves fan-shaped and deeply cut into segments. This palm produces suckers, bv which means in several years a pot or tub will contain a number of plants. THE lIARDY BROOM PICTURESQUE SHRUBS j The brooms are among the hardiest of ornamental- flowering shrubs, thriving on dry banks, and in the poorest soils, displaying a wealth of bloom in spring and early summer. Among the newest and best of tho garden varieties, mention may be made of Cytissus floribunda (lilac time.) This plant is strong vigorous grower, of free branching habit, forming dense twiggy branches, which are covered in October with masses of flowers of a most pleasing shade of lilac-pink paling to pink with age. This variety makes a distinct colour-break in these free-growing shrubs. Cytissus Dallimorei, has flowers of ruby rose shaded to mauve in great profusion. Andreanus Smithii, is a richly coloured variety. The flowers are of bronze and crimson. Cytissus albus, the Portugal broom, is an old variety, but still effective in early spring, with its masses of small white flowers.