HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3003, 4 October 1911, Page 12

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

BY J. GEBBIB.

FREESIAS AFTER FLOWERING

As freesiae go out of bloom they may be stood in a cold frame under glass, and water them as usual until the leaves begin to die, then give less, until by the time the leaves are dead none, is given. When the leaves have altogether died down, allow, the bulbs to remain in tihe pots, where they will get a 'good baking from the sun. During December or January 'shake them out of the old soil, and repot in clean pots ,and, fresh soil,'•' and return to the a succession of bloom '■ may be kepi up'for a long 'time'.,-- Freesias .are- easily raised from seeds, [„ and if, • eofth how 1 ' will - bloom" .in} the greehhbuse,'pif;_ window ; about May or June. *» ".:'- "£i- ■ ;.';-■-■'« TEN-WEEK STOCKS.

The ten-week stock is a universal favourite that' is easily- raised from seeds, and it is not too late to sow now. Every one should grow ten-week stocks, if only for their fragrance. ' It is usual to raise them from seeds sown under glass; but they "may be sown now in the open in soil that is not heavy. On light soil with the surface well broken up the seeds germinate readily, and severe thinning must be practised as the plants develop. In growing stocks the fat that they like a rich soil must not be lost sight of, and if they are to give satisfaction they must have it. Well-grown stocks are delightful plants, but stocks bad'y grown are the most unsatisfactory things one can have in the borders. There are several classes of these stocks; all are good. Some prefer the dwarf varieties, others again, prefer the taller" varieties, and for Large beds the tall are preferable.

FLOWERING SHRUBS. J sA very; pretty shrub with long, graceful "shoots and picturesque appearance ie Forsythia suspensa, popularly' known as the golden belt. It is now covered with little gcfldeh" bells, which come but before the foliage.. .. In „a fairly sheltered spot away -from rough'winds it will grow to a height of/Bf<t in ordinary garden soil. The flowers aJKpear; on the ; young, wood; it is therefore advisable^, to prune'away some" of the old wood when" the shrub "has finished flowering. Magnolia conspicua is another note- • worthy shrub now:in bloom, and one that flowers before' it makes . an effort to put forth leaves. Its. large white, flowers are produced in such profusion as to completely .hid© every part - of its otherwise bare branches, and is a._ most attractive shrub for individual planting in a lawn.. Berboris- Darwini, although often used as a hedge plant, makes a fine specimen on the lawn. I noticed in-a cottage/garden two large b usnes °f symmetrical form, and about 7ft ' ihigh, _ litei\p,lly covered ,'w.ith bloom. These with a few large bushes of Pyrus japonioa and the large-flowered lauristinus, with • a profusion of violets and narcissi in full bloom, arrested the attention of many a passer-by. .SNOWFLAKES (LENCOJUM). The snowflakes form a small but beautiful family of-bulbous plants, closely allied to, the enowdrpps. . .There are about nine species, all beinar natives of Central Europe and...the -Mediterranean ; -Tegion. Their flowering period is spread ,ov ear nearly the

whole of the year. Lencojum vernum (the spring snowflake) has been flowering for some time. The large, handsome flowers, which are snow white, with a green blotch on the tip of each segment, are very attractive. It is a favourite, and perhaps the most valuable of the genus for garden decoration. The first year after planting it does very little, but when established it grows freely. In light soils deep-planting is essential; in stronger soils it grows more vigorously and produces larger flowers. It is on© of those bulbs that dislike disturbance, and should never be kept long out of the ground* as the bulbs soon begin to get soft, and shrivel. REPOTTING PLANTS. However small a collection of plants may be, the work of repotting them is necessary at some time or another. It seems a simple operation, but is sometimes improperly carried out. A plant ooasionally gets water-logged through the drainage becoming choked, and it is necessary to remedy this by turning it out of its pot, and putting the crocks, or whatever material is used, right. Worms are often a trouble, and their dislodgment may be effected by turning the plant out of its pot. In using new pots it is well to soak them in waiter for a time- and occasionally a pot is found with an uneven, surface on the inside, or is found ribbed. These should be avoided, for they prove • a difficulty in getting the plant out of the pot. To perform the’ oneratjbn (Smartly, dace th© fingers over the soil with the stem of the plant between them, invert, and, holding the pot with the other hana, give the rim one or more sharp taps on a bench. This will cause the ball of soil to slip out of tho pot, and, holding it bottom upwards, the roots are ready for examination, or for removal to another pot. This completed, if the plant is not to be repotted, place the pot over the ball, press it down and turn the right way up. Then, keeping th© fingers firmly on the surface of the soil, gave the pot on© or two sharp raps on the bench to settle the plant in its place. Occasionally, a .difficult is found in turning the plant out of th© pot in which it has been growing, for perhaps a long time. This may be remed.ed by soaking the ball of roots in water, and Sometimes it is necessary to insert a thin knife between the roots and the pot before the plant can be turned out. IVY-LEAVED GERANIUMS. The ivy-leaved - are old inhabitants of our gardens, having been in cultivation for over 100 years. In the open garden they are available for many purposes of adornment, such as baskets and vases; and as bedding plants they make a fine show for a long period. They display their fine qualities best, however, when well grown in the form of pyramids for the greenhouse or conservatory. To grow fine specimens is not a difficult task, but requires attention; they must be of free growth, and bear- an abundance of bloom. Cuttings are easily rooted, or young plants may be procured from the nurseries in 3in pots. ■ When the pots are filled with roots the plants must be shifted! into the next size, and care taken not to repot them until they have filled their pots with roots, and to give them no more pot, room than they can occupy in a reasonable space of time. At the final shift they should occupy an. Sin or 9iri pot; beyond this it is not advisable to go. The soil most suitable for these plants in loam from rotted turf, .Well-rotted old hotbed manure, with either peat dr leafmould, equal parts, with the addition of sand sufficient- to keep the whole porous. In training, the growth should be allowed some degree of freedom, as these elegant plants look bast when not tied in too closely. In the early stages one or two light stakes will suffice, but as growth progresses three, four, or even more may be required, and draw them together at the top to form a kind of cone. By training the leading shoots to these stakes, and leaving tho side shoots in some degree free, a neat form without any stiffness will be secured. Should th© plants become . than at the bottom, cut them back, arid as soon as they begin to grow pgain- freely, ,give them a shift to the next sized pot. They require free ventilation, and if /crowded up with other plants they are certain to become thin at the ‘ base. They should therefore stand apart so that the light plays equally upon them from head to foot.