ORNAMENTAL ASPARAGUS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22628, 20 July 1935, Page 24

ORNAMENTAL ASPARAGUS

Although known far and wide as asparagus ferns, these ornamental foliage plants are not ferns at all, but flowering plants belonging to the lily tribe. Under suitable conditions they will flower every year, and produce seeds, but the flowers are not showy, and it is for their beautiful foliage that they are grown. Indeed, the foliage is so popular that immense quantities are grown commercially to meet the demand for cut trails. The outside edible asparagus belongs to the same family, and as growers know, the foliage of that species is also very serviceable at times for “ foliage.” Amateurs who have a greenhouse generally have at least a few plants for foliage or decoration on their greenhouse staging. The various species and varieties are easily raised from seed. Sometimes it is stated that a high temperature is required for these foliage plants, but the fact of the matter is that 50 to 55deg is quite all right for them, and they are safe even when the temperature is not much above 45deg. In winter the plants are dormant, like most other things, and they are best left alone with just enough water supplied at long intervals to keep the soil moist. Growth will commence in spring. This is a grand time to repot and to topdress with rich compost. Feeding may also be resorted to as the season advances to encourage luxuriant development. The best compost for use when repotting is carried out is one which contains a good body of loam; to it has to be added some sand and a small quantity of granulated peat or sifted flaky leaf mould. Mix all together. For larger plants one part to six of really old manure may also be added to the compost, or, where cow manure is difficult to get, bop manure can be used instead. ' When plants become really large, they are unwieldy, and do not give the best results. In such a case, dividing is desirable, and small parts are then repotted in sizes which just hold their roots nicely. In spring small plants can be secured from nurseries, and grown on,, shifting into larger pots before they become rootbound. Feeding with liquid manure and sootwater, always in a very weak solution, hurries on things very considerably, and gives enhanced results. In summer give the plants plenty of fresh air. In winter and spring there is always danger in exposing plants to cold draughts and actual frost. A favourite variety is Asparagus Sprengeri. This produces long streamers of foliage, and it is seen at its best in a hanging basket. It can take a lot of feeding, and this should be attended to. In winter water will only be needed at infrequent intervals. The species grown for its flat foliage is A. plumosus. _ This can be had in two varieties, the original being a fairly rampant climber, whilst the other, A. plumosus nanus, is an ordinary pot plant, bearing larger and flatter leaves.—H. 11. A., in Amateur Gardening.