POLYANTHUS FROM SEED.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19529, 11 July 1925, Page 3

POLYANTHUS FROM SEED.

I have not tho least hesitation in stating that tho most common garden plants often make a brilliant show and especially among these common plants I would mention tho polyanthus. Everyone knows this plant, and I believe that most gardens contain at least a few plants, but not everyone grows them to display their full merits or gives them a chanoo to exhibit their glorious colours. Tho most robust plants are those raised from seed or those which have been divided up during late summer —i.e., after flowering. When the polyanthus is loft to grow as it will it becomes a large clump, the flowers decrease in size and tho colour loses its brilliancy; when one plant alone, it sends out long shoots which bear largo trusses of flowers. Seed should be sown in spring. If, for some purpose, plants are required true to variety, they must be obtained by breaking up old dumps as indicated above. Plants raised from seed show much variation and cannot bo depended upon; but it is possible to have seed of whites, yellows, rods, gold-laced and others. A packet of mixed kinds will give a delightful variety in all shades of seifs and attractive blendings of different shades. I have recently been pleased with seed which I obtained, known as Munstead varieties, mixed. I wish to point out to beginners that the polyanthus is very, very easy to grow; it needs no frame, no shelter and no ca.ro beyond transplanting from the open seedbed when the plants oan be handled. — “Lanarkshire,” in The Garden.