Regulating Growths

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22628, 16 January 1937, Page 10 (Supplement)

Regulating Growths

In consequence of tho generous amount ot moisture with which the summer bedding plants have been supplied, the greater proportion of them have made stem and leaf growth lately -.it a greater pace than usual. This abnormal vigour has not resulted .vet in a siiperabundanee of bloom, except, iu the eases of a few plants that are lovers of moisture. It has, however, caused a good deal of "overcrowding where, in the ordinary way, each plant would have had plenty of room. The novice is naturally reluctant to cut away large portions of petunias and similar plants before he has seen a quantity of bloom commensurate with the size of the plants. That however, is the best means of regulating matters. Jsy removing the outer branches which crowd into their neighbours, air passages will be opened and daylight admitted to harden up the remaining growths. That is exactly what is required to throw plants of this kind into bloom, when they have been making too much soft growth. This pruning, if carried out judiciously, getting rid of the softer shoots, and leaving the stronger, will, even as a. result, of the slight, shock the plants receive, speed up their efforts to bloom. Within a week or ten days the plants will be showing bright flowers instead of foliage only.