THE NEW HYBRID POPPY, “COONARA PINK.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20318, 28 January 1928, Page 3

THE NEW HYBRID POPPY, “COONARA PINK.”

From the Garden we extract the following article on the above-named hybrid poppy, the variations in the colour shades of which make it so attractive a garden subject;— The name of this new poppy gives one little idea of what it really is: Ooonara Pink was introduced by an Australian firm. It is said to have been raised by a lady from a cross between the single Iceland and the Shirley poppy. In habit and form of flower, it is practically identical with the single Iceland, though its flowers are, on the whole, larger and the petals prettily frilled or crimped. Some of the shades found in Ooonara perhaps, faintly reminiscent of the Shirley, but there the resemblance with the latter ceases. Evidently it was introduced in the belief that it would come fairly true to colour, otherwise there would be no point in its name. We saw;, a few weeks ago, a fine bed of many hundred plants in full bloom at Messrs W. J. Unwin’s nursery at Histon, but not more than 25 per cent, at the most could be classified as any shade of pink; indeed, no two on the whole bed seemed to he exactly alike in shade. This unfixity is an advantage rather than otherwise, for the colour range is remarkably wide and pleasing. If the pink, or any others of the exquisite shades, can be “ fixed ” so well and good, but in my opinion, Ooonara Pink is certain to please a much greater number of amateur growers as it is. It is impossible to convey an accurate impression of the wonderful tones, nearly all of them self colours. They embrace all shades of pink, salmon, lemon, tangerine, cerisepink, apricot, biscuit, saffron, old gold, salmon pink, yellow, orange, etc., strongly reminding one of those soft and dainty shades as well as the bright colours found in begonias. In spite of their diversity of colour, there is no sign of “clashing” when they are mixed together, only a warm and attractive blend--111 Iceland poppies are favourite cut flowers for indoor decoration, but these new hybrids will be found much more valuable for this purpose. All flower lovers will want them on account of their charming colourings, dainty and graceful form, and easy culture. For cut bloom, Ooonara, like the Iceland poppy, should be picked when young, just as they are opening, and preferably in the early morning. Should any difficulty be experienced in making them “ hold up ” in water, it is a good plan to insert the ends of their stems in boiling water for a few seconds; indeed, this procedure is usually necessary in hot, dry weather. If cut in the young stage, the flowers have excellent lasting qualities; but to obtain the maximum effect they should be arranged lightly and daintily in slender clear glass vases. Much of their beauty and all gracefulness is lost if the vases are overcrowded. Their culture is very simple. Although, strictly speaking, they are hardy perennials, they may be sown in boxes in the early spring, and will bloom the same year. Better results,, however, may be obtained by treating them as hardy biennials. Prepare the seed bed now, leaving the soil in a fine condition. Sow the seed thinly (it is very tiny indeed) in drills, at the end of July (January in New Zealand), watering thedrilh before sowing if the soil is dry. as - a rule, no further watering is necessary; but should u dry spell eet in when the seedlings are small, water them periodically as they need it. At the end of September or early October (March, April), transplant them firmly to their flowering positions, choosing a time when the soiMs nicely moist. They are more effective when planted in a bed by themselves than when dotted about here and there in the border; but in either case j-repare the soil deeply and manure it liberally, for, like the Icelands, these poppies will “ stand ” a good deal of feeding, and good culture will be amply rewarded by greater length of stem and larger flowers. Bone meal will be found an excellent fertiliser if incorporated in the soil just before transplanting. A few plants may bloom in the late autumn, but this should not be permitted. If the buds ire nipped off when small it will give the plants greater strength. They will flower profusely and continuously if the blooms are picked regularly and no seed pods allowed to form. They are like sweet peas in that one can “ cut and come again ” every day for weeks.