HALF-HARDY ANNUALS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1678, 27 April 1904, Page 69

HALF-HARDY ANNUALS

(By An English Gardener.) Several of these are among the most usenul of all flowering plants, either for orcuuaiy garden decoration, or for supplying cut flowers. For small there is scarcely anything .to- equal mean, as they give more bloom in a given space i chan any tiling els©', except, perliaps, a lew ordinary annuals, while the flu u eirs Ibemsrives are deadedly superior m point of quality to those of most of the latter. Most of this class succeed almost, as well in town or suburban, gardens or limited area as in ccjunitry piaces, but the only drawback is that not being p&ifectly hardy, the seed must either be sown in a heated house or frame towards the end of March, or early flowering, or not until 'the end of April, on a sheltered bonder in the open .air, where there is no convenience for raising the plants earlier.

Ali the half-hardy annuals require what is termed good culture, that is, to be sown in a rich but light soil, whether m the open air or under glass, and be planted cut in rich, well-worked ground, with plenty of moisture in hot weather. The little plants must be pricked oiut singly before they become at all crowded in the seed-boxes or parts, placing them from liin to 2in apart, either in other shallow boxes filled with rich soil, or in a bed of the same 3in or 4in deep, made up in a frame. Keep them rather close., with shade from bright sun, until they have formed fresh roofs and began to. gro.w again', when air should be given more' and more freely; and when thoroughly strong and well-hardened, in May or June, plant ;,hem out-of-doors in good soil and a sunny position. Very few of this class thrive or bloom to any extent in the shade, almost the only, exception being the pretty little Nemesia, which does better in a cool and partly-shaded spot than when fully exposed to the sun. Where a considerable number of plants of any one kind are required, the need should, if possible, be sown in a shallow bed of soil placed in a frame over a very gentle hotbed on the decline,, but if only a few dozens are wanted, one oir two moderate-sized seed-boxes or “trays” of each will suffice, care being taken not to sow too thickly. _ A convenient size for these boxes is about Uin by 10in., and 2in or Sin deep. The seed should be just covered with fine soil, and the boxes placed on a greenton o he If, or in a slightly-heated frame, taking care to keep the soil evenly moist, but not wet.

A useful alternative, where there is no greenhouse. or frame available, is to sow the seed in ordinary grocers’ boxes, such as 'those in which Swiss milk or salmon are imported filled about three pants full of soil, with good drainage, and stood in the yard, 1 or any sheltered and ‘ sunny spot. Cover _ each box with a square of glass, .which must be gradually removed lyhen the. seedlings are up and getting strong. Otherwise there is no alternative but ta want until 1 the last week In April, or beginning of May. and then sow the seed on a sunny bolder. Here they can either be sown thinly, in drills or patches, and merely, thinned out when well up* or be transplanted elsewhere when fit. Of the various kindls of half-hardy annnals, the astern are perhaps the most showy and generally Bi/ssful, as we'll as very easily cultivated. Stocks require rather more ca.ro. and should be sown! earlier tlian tli© cithers-—these are etxoellent for pot culture. _ Phlox dfummondii also make a, Capital pot plant-. Zinnias should not Be sown too early, and require rich soil and at, warm position. Other fine kinds aret the Salpiglossia, and the French and. African mangolds