HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2692, 18 October 1905, Page 10

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Bt J. Gebbib.

— Primula Obconiea Grandiflora. — This primula, if bettar known, would soon become a -favourite on account of its freeblooining' qualities. Seedlings commence to bloom in four or five months from the time of sowing, and will continue developing fresh trusses for a long time. The old primula "obconiea was discovered in the interior of Ghina, at the lohang Gorge, and -flowered in England in September, 1880. Its cultivation is easy, and it is well worth a place in any greenhouse or conservatory. The_ seed should be sown in pots, and the seecUings pricked off as soon as they can be handled, and grown in a cold frame where thsy can, be shaded from the sun. If pricked off into boxes they will thrive better than if in pots, and can grow in. these until large enough to put into sin cr 6ia pots, which will be the most useful of pot to use. A healthy plant in a- 6in pot had at one time 30 more or less expanded trusses, and every healthy plant is able to carry 10 or more trusses contii:UJ<lly without exhausting its energy. The soil in which they delight is loam, with a little leaf mould and well-rotted stable manure added. Dunedin seedsmen offer two or three varieties, but the seediugs vary somewhat in tint of colour and in size. The delicate and refinedtrusses are charming as cut flowers for a "bouquet, and foi winter decoration it is especially valuable. ■ — 'Iceland Poppies. — Where flowers for indoor decorations are wanted the Iceland poppies are indispensable. Many are under the impression that poppies are such short-lived flowers that they are worthless for cutting. Such, however, is not tho* caise, as may be inferred from the fact that in the neighbourhood of London Iceland poppies are grown largely for supplying cut flowers for market. These are out in the mornings soon after expansion and endure fresh and fair several days in vases Indoors. The original variety cf this poppy was found in Eastern Siberia about 1730, and %vas shortly afterwards introduced into England, and for a long tmie was only to be found growing in botanic gardens. At that time only one colour (yellow) was known, but in later years v.hite, orange, and yellow have been prominent, and now we have all gradations of tint, from snow-w'iite and yellow through reds to almost a scarlet, and in Nimmo and Blair's catalogue for 3905 a new strain is offered in which tjiere is to be found about 25 different shades, colours and Mendings. These received an award of merit from the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. They are easily raised from seeds sown in the open bordsr, and if they come up too thick they can be easily transplanted. Seed may be sown at any time during spring, summer, or autumn, and in light, dry soils they wili soon become naturalised. The plants form dwarf tufts but a few inches high, while the scapes rise lOin or 15in in' height, and the flowers are 3in or 4in aoross. — Chrysanthemum Silver Pins. — . Flowers for cutting are always in demand, so that any new thing suitable for this purpose making its appearance is generally hailed with delight. A Sydney nurseryman is offering to the public a new chrysaEthemum. This new- introduction, offered for the first time in the colonies, is a fine pure white, and very free-flowering. The petals are about 2in long, and from one-eighth to one-sixteenth of an inch in width, nicely spread, well built up to the centre, and never showing an eye. Being of vigorous growth and very floriferous it will no doubt be valuable for florists. A writer in an Australian publication says that the appearance is very feathery and charmingly decorative, and that he had seen the effect of a table decorated with this fine

pure white florists' flower in Sydney reoeiitly, and an easy first was scored through its merit. Probably some of our enterprising nurserymen will introduce it into this colony ere long, so that its merits may be tested by those who are qualified to judge. — Hum-ea Elegans. — At one time this plant was frequently seen at the Dunedin flower shows, but, like many other good things that have _ been lost sight of during the past 20 years, it has dropped out of cultivation. In many ways it is a useful plant, being equally'' adapted for the greenhouse or for the flower garden during summer. It is a biennial, the upright stem attaining- a height of 6ft or Bft, and throws out graceful drooping sprays rivalling in beauty our most ornamental grasses. Any time during the* spring or summer ths seed may be sown, and the young plants of this season's production will grow on and bloom next season. They delight in a sandy soil, and from the first should be grown in a mixture of this kind. Plants ISm or 2ft high may be grown in a 4in or sin pot, and are useful to mix with other plants, but their greatest value for decorative purposes is when they are growa in Sin, lOin, or ]2m pots. When growing in such pots in the greenhouse in spring they need not be turned out of the pots if wonted in the flower garden during summer. On the contrary, they should be plunged in the pots; then they can be conveniently lifted and taken into the greenhouse for decorative- purposes again in tho winter. It is a native of New South Wales, and was .'ntroduced into England in 1800. — Anthurium. — An extensive genus, chiefly valuable in hothouses for their beautiful foliage, the flowers or spathes, as they are called, being seldom regarded as objects of beauty. I noticed in the report of the Dunedin spring show that Mr R. Glendining exhibited a specimen of Anthurium Seherzerianum, being remarkable amongst its fellows for the brilliancy of its spathe, which is bright red in colour, terminated by an intense scarlet spathe, the spadix being orange cloured, affording % beautiful contrast with the deep green leaves. It forms a splendid exhibition plant, and on account of its leathery texture will stand uninjured in a cool house during summer. It is a native of Costa Rica, luxuriating in a high temperature and moist atmosphere, so that it can only be grown by those possessing a hothouse. — Lycaste Skinnerii. — This belongs to the genus of orchids, and of these there are many species. Of this species L. Skinnerii there are several varieties, differing much from each other in colour. All sorts of lycaste have short, thick pseudo-bulbs and flag-shaped leaves. The flowers are produced from the side of the bulbs on spikes about 6in in length. This is one of tho finest plants for winter blooming, lasting a long time in beauty, its singularly formed and richly-coloured flowers rendering it peculiarly attractive. — Phajus Grandiflora. — Under this name another orchid was exhibited in the collection of Mr P. R. Sargood. This is a native of China, and is an evergreen plant growing about 3fb high, and blooms during the winter and spring months. It can be grown in small pots, and also makes a noble plant for exhibition when grown into a large specimen.