HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3168, 2 December 1914, Page 12

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

By J. Gebbie.

POT PLANTS. Pot plants in flower or approaching that state having tlie’ir pots filled with roots should be given weak, clear manure water once or twice a week, according to the weather. This is important, because the roots have exhausted the nutriment in the soil, and, as regards such as produce successions! blooms, it will help them to maintain vigorous growth and blooming. Clear manure water is advised when such is derived from animal droppings, because if this is not attended to the surfaces of the soil will become clogged, resulting in them being covered with green. The safest liquid manure for the amateur to use is that made by placing a peck or so of horse, sheep, or other droppings into a bag, securing its mouth, and immersing it in a tub containing 10 or -15 gallons ot water, the usefulness of the manure being prolonged by well stirring the bag after more water is added following the use of the first or second supply. Artificial manures obtained from the seedsmen are usually to be relied upon, but amateurs are advised to apply them carefully, and not to make the solution too strong. An 'Ounce of any reliable artificial manure, whether consisting of one kind alone, such as sulphate of ammonia, or a mixture, will be ample for ’ each gallon ot water, and as regards sucoessional waterings, as above, from half to three-quarters of an ounce will give good results. Do not apply such manure to non-prospering subjects under the mistaken idea that it will “bring them round,” as it can prove beneficial only to active, healthy root plants. GROWING CUCUMBERS. Anyone having a spare garden frame can turn it to very good service for the summer by growing cucumbers. If the frame is on the remains of a hotbed so much the better; but if not, this can be dispensed with at this season, the sun supplying the needed warmth. The soil best suited is rough, fibry loam, or turfs and old manure in about three parts of the former to one of the latter, and used in a rough, lumpy condition. The fragments should be about the size of walnuts or a little larger. Tor manure, horse droppings will do very well, mixed together thoroughly, and then made into a heap in the centre of the frame. A good bucketful will be sufficient for a heap to commence with. It may be left a day or so to warm from sun heat while the cucumber plant is being procured. Any good kind will do, though Telegraph and Tender and True are specially good. The cucumber should he planted in the apex of the heap of soil, and the frame kept fairly close to encourage rapid growth. If the sun is bright, shade so as to screen the plant, but leave the rest of the frame exposed. Cucumbers like a warm, moist atmosphere; hence much air is not desirable, though a little should be given early in the morning when sunny to prevent scalding. At about 4.30 to 5 p.m. syringe or water overhead the whole contents of the frame, and close for the day. Do this regularly unless the weather prove cold and wet. As growth proceeds nip out the centre of the plant to encourage side shoots, of which train one to each corner of the frame. Sublaterals from this will bear the cucumbers. When these appear pinch out the end of the shoot three leaves beyond the fruit. As the plant grows it will be found that roots appear on the surface of the mound. When this happens add a thin layer of lumpy soil similar to that first used, so as to form a mulch for the roots. Repeat this as often as the roots find their way to the surface. FUCHSIAS. It is surprising how widely different manj of the fuchsias cultivated to-day are from the few original kinds. Those that we so much admire for their beauty of flower and elegance of habit are of garden origin. As fuchsias will soon bo coming into bloom, some may bo tempted to add them to their collection, and no plant will repay the cultrvator better. When well grown, no plants are better for the summer and autumn decoration of the greenhouse and conservatory. They are well fitted by size, beauty of flower, and pendulous habit to grace the choicest homo. For home decoration they are good subjects to use, and nicely grown specimens are always admired; while as a greenhouse plant they arc of the easiest culture. Rich soil, moisture, and regular and frequent syringings to keep the foliage clean are the moans by -which good plants may be grown. By giving liberal shifts, fuchsias may be grown 6ft high, and will furnish pyramids in a short time, while very effective specimens, useful for decorative purposes, may bo grown in Sin or 6in pots. Suppose a plant is procured from the nursery in a Sin pot, pinch off the, point of the shoot to induce the side shoots to break freely. When the shoots have grown lin or 2;n pinch off all the points so as to induce them to form compact little bushes. As the pinched shoots begin to push, shift the plant into the Sin or 6in pot, pressing the soil moderately firm. As the pots become filled with roots a little liquid manure may bo given, and a more liberal application when the flower buds appear will bo of benefit. Fuchsias like a cool, moist atmosphere, and where a coid frame is available with sand or some such material to stand them on there is the place of all others in which to grow them well. The lights can bo moved off altogether at night in favourable -weather, as they greatly enjoy the dew. MICHAELMAS DAISIES. Only a few years ago Michaelmas daisies were a sadly neglected race of plants. In those days they were hard I v cons 'dcred worthy of special attention, and were seldom spoken of under their more d.gnificd hutless appropriate name of perennial aster, ■p.'.t in a few years there has been a decided change, and these perennials have leapt into public favour. They have now come to bo regarded as the best of flowers for autumn effect. The hybridists have been busy in improving these plants, and wonderful improvements have been achieved. At the present time there is sufficient variety in colour, form, and habit to keep up an unbroken display from February till late in May. They are easily grown plants, and look best in large masses so that the flowers are produced in clouds of colour. Few flowering plants are better suited for planting under partial shade or in the foregroundl of a shrubbery. Among them are various shades of white, pink, and mauve varying in height from 18in to sft. For cut flowers and indoor decorations they are invaluable.