THE GARDEN

Southland Times, Issue 21835, 12 October 1932, Page 12

THE GARDEN

WORK FOR THE WEEK

(By

J. A. McPherson).

The Greenhouse.

The main batches of annuals should all be pricked off by now and ready for hardening off in cool frames. The last annuals to sow should be French Marigolds and Asters. These are not planted out in quantity till the middle of November when the ground is warm and all chance of a check from severe weather past. Some growers make a big mistake in planting Asters very early, which is a mistake. They are a true late summer and autumn blooming flower and must not be rushed into the ground when the first batches of annuals are bedded out. However, to return to the greenhouse; make a sowing of Saluia Bonfire. This plant makes a very fine showing in the autumn if the plants are gradually potted on until they reach their final potting into six or seven-inch pots. Pot Begonias as the shoots show good growth. Streptocarpus are coming into flower and a sharp look-out should be kept for greenfly. These plants do not require much heat to flower them.

If one has a very warm border a batch of Zinnias may be sown in gentle heat. The seedlings must be grown steadily on and not given any severe check, otherwise when planted out they will produce very few flowers, often just a single flower at the top of a single stem. Rooted Dahlia cuttings can be gradually hardened off and above all things do not permit them to become spindly. The Flower Garden. The main group of Narcissi are nearly over and attention should now centre round the care of the more permanent spring flowers such as Wallflower, Polyanthus, Anemones, etc. Wallflower in some districts are subject to “dieback,” due to the presence of a powdery mildew. This will be noticed in several of the stems dying back and gradually affecting the whole plant. By lifting and destroying the affected plants the disease can be reasonably arrested and the spores prevented from entering the soil, there to lie dormant until next season’s plants are set out. Mark the best and most promising varieties of Polyanthus for the purpose of saving seed. Sow the seed as soon as it is ripe and good strong plants will be obtained for next spring. The best flowers are found on well grown first year seedlings, the second year the flowers are more abundant; but after that the plants lose their blooming vitality and never give good results. To have success with Polyanthus, a batch of seedlings should be grown each year and the older plants discarded altogether. Giant Munsted is a good strain and by careful crossing and selection any reader should be able to raise a splendid group of plants both as regards vigour and also size and colour of blooms. Anemones too require to be constantly renewed by sowing a batch of seedlings each year as soon as the seed is ripe. It is from the first and second year plants that the best results are obtained. Old plants of Anemones never give good results. What applies to Anemones applies equally well to those splendid gaudy coloured late spring flowers the Ranunculus. The most outstanding trees in bloom at present are the flowering cherries. This spring, owing to the absence of winds, has suited them splendidly. In many gardens may be seen trees loaded with blossom, the two outstanding varieties being J. H. Veitch (rosy pink) and Mont Fugi (double white). Then there are also the flowering plums of which Prunus pissardi (single pink) and P. Moseri (double pink) are outstanding. Both the above have purple-red foliage; but there is another with small green leaves Prunus triloba (double rich pink), a splendid dwarf species whose flowers are far more attractive.

If good Narcissi are required for next season, their cultivation does not finish this month. The plants must be kept free from weeds, well watered in dry weather and if possible given liquid manure. The foliage must on no account be permitted to become damaged. It is this after cultivation that builds up the bulbs and their flowers for next season. Unfortunately many overlook this important point when growing good varieties and are disappointed when their' blooms are not up to show standard.

Routine work in the flower garden at present is of a very pleasant nature. Gardens are tidy, the spring flowers are being enjoyed and a start has been made to bed out early summer blooming plants. Plant out Calendula, Antirrheniums and Iceland Poppies, following a little later with Nemesia and then Stocks. Do not be in any hurry to plant Verbena and Phlox Drummondii.

Lift, divide and replant Dahlias and Michaelmas Daisies. The final batch of Gladioli should be put in towards the third week of the month.

Take advantage to till the surface soil after a shower of rain, thereby making it fine and fit for sowing seeds in clumps where the plants are to remain.

Rose growers will find plenty of work in rubbing out excessive growth, cutting away pieces of “die-back” wood, spraying for greenfly, and lightly topdressing the beds with sulphate of potash. The Vegetable Garden. The recent rains have been very beneficial to all parts of the vegetable garden. Seeds are germinating well; but birds are troublesome especially where gardens are surrounded by large trees. It is of interest to note that slugs have not been troublesome this spring, possibly on account of the recent spell of dry weather. A start can be made with the sowing of the main supply of root crops. Sow the seed early and not too thickly and above all things visualise the ultimate spread of the leaves and tops of the plants and space the rows accordingly. This permits not only of easy access for weeding purposes; but allows for constant hoeing of the soil, prevents the escape of soil water into the atmosphere. Peas (maincrop), Carrots, Beans, Beet (turnip rooted), Parsnips, Onions, Radish and Turnips may all be sown. Watch the weather carefully and if quite settled sow French and Runner Beans. They require good land which has been limed and must never suffer a check if good results are to be obtained.

Batches of early hearting cabbages may still be planted out for succession.

Schallots must be got in immediately as it is getting on the late side. Sow Brussel Sprouts, Savoys and Drumhead Cabbage to plant out when early potatoes are lifted. Plant all maincrop potatoes. Order a supply of strong plants of Leeks and Celery for delivery later on in the season.

“Purpurea”: Let your Clematis grow and layer it in autumn when the stems are firm and the dormant buds showing.

SOME LOVELY GODETIAS Godetias may be obtained either single or double, tall or dwarf, and in different colour's, both selfs and fancies, says “Popular Gardening” (London). The taller sorts provide excellent cut flowers, which last a long time in water, while all varieties are splendid for bedding. They also make good pot plants. Thin out the seedlings to 9in apart. The following are some of the best sorts: Crimson King, rich red blossoms, darker at the base, borne in branching sprays (height, lift); and Cherry Red, a new introduction, 2ft to 3ft, are double varieties. Good, single godetias are Sunset, Thunderbolt, a new dwarf sort, the darkest red of all; Gloriosa, blood-red; General Gordon, crimson; Flamingo, a lovely colour between crimson and scarlet; and Crimson Glow, rose-red, free-blooming. All these grow about 12in high.

Of double mauve varieties there are Mauve Queen, heliotrope, with long slender sprays of flowers; Lavender Queen, pale lavender (both are lift); Grandiflora lilacina, lilac-mauve, lather taller; and Whitneyi azaleaflora f1.p1., rose-mauve, shaded with carmine, 12in. The best mauve single is Lavender Gem, lift; it bears long sprays of blossom, each with a white centre. The best double white is White Queen, with long sprays of pearly white, lift. Good singles are White Queen, 9in; Duchess of Albany, satinwhite, a little taller; and White Ptarl is another very good kind. Schamini is a reliable double pink godetia, with tiers of blooms. Rosy Morn is a variety of this with double coral-coloured flowers. Both are 2ft high. The tallest double is Shell-pink, nearly 3ft, with long, graceful sprays on which the blooms are loosely arranged. A new sort is Whitneyi azaleaflora comelia, rose, the glistening petals having a most beautiful effect. Two other fine double varieties of this colour are Coral Princess and Queen of Roses, rose-pink. Both grow lift high. The most compact single pink is Dwarf Pink, 9in; Lady Satin Rose is another good sort, 12in. Pelargonium is a new double fancy. The name describes exactly the flower, which is very like a show Pelargonium. The petals are blush-pink, blotched with carmine. It, grows lift. Rose Queen, 2ft, is a new variety that will be popular the carmine flower is overlaid with a rosy sheen. Marchioness of Salisbury is an exceptionally good single fancy, the cherry-red blooms bear a clearly-defined broad light margin. Apple Blossom, with dainty pink and white flowers, is another fine single; Bride is blush-white, with a crimson -stain at the base; and Bridesmaid is pure white, with a large rose blotch. Bijou is the smallest, a very pretty white-and-rose kind. Godetias of varying heights and colours, grouped together, create delightful colour schemes. NEW FLOWERS TO GROW In addition to some striking flower novelties, to add to the merits of plants already popular, seeds of some entirely new garden subjects are available and will be found well worth trying. Antirrhiniums have received the attention which is due to them as summer bedding plants of lasting beauty. A bright orange, as distinct from flame, is Orange Glow. Crimsons and reds are plentiful, but none as effective as Volcano, dazzling fiery-red. Malmaison is prettier than Nelrose or Fascination, among pinks, and as a fancy variety Picture, yellow and apricot is beautiful. The big-flowered Majestic class now includes many colours— Rosabella, carmine-rose; Rose, Beauty, pink; and Avalanche, white. Of new Azalea-flowered Godetias, Flamingo and Firelight, orange-red and flame, should be noted. Flambeau and Fireflame are distinct novelties among Eschscholtzias. Annual Scabious is gradually losing its slender, tall growth and becoming stronger and dwarfer. A real scarlet is now available in Fiery Scarlet. Coral Rose is a pretty shade, too. Clarkias bloom in spring in the greenhouse and in the garden in summer, and for either purpose Crimson Queen and Enchantress, pink, are recommended. The best double-flowcr-ed Shirley Poppy is The Dazzler, orange-scarlet. Those in search of a blue-flowered annual 12in. high should grow Anchusa Blue Bird, and near to it sow Calendula Guinea Gold, a more pleasing shade in the opinion of some than Radio.

Viscaria is not as widely grown as it should be, but everyone should grow the variety Fire King in pots as well as in the garden. Growers of Zinnias will. be pleased with the Be-gonia-flowered Dazzler and Picotee Delight. Sweet Peas Derby Day, Elstree, Patriot, Goldfinch, Amy Johnson, and Thriller will quickly become popular. Among new plants Heliophila lincarifolia grows 12in and bears single blue flowers with a white eye. Another new blue flower is Gilia capitata, with fern-like foliage. Venidium fastosum and Ursina anethoides, with orangeyellow flowers, are also promising. Hibiscus Sunset and Eucnide Barton oides, both with orange-yellow blooms, will make a distinctive show out of doors in the mildest parts; in other places they will add charm to the greenhouse.—“ Popular Gardening,” London. EVERY MAN’S DUTY The following extract from Wisconsin Horticulture, by Paul C. Lindley, in “Say it with Blowers,” is worthy of record:— “Blessed are they who plant only long-lived trees along our highways; future generations will appreciate their thoughtfulness.” “Blessed are they who are owners of homes and show exterior culture to the passer-by.” “Blessed are they who appreciate God’s greatest gift, for they will be builders of beauty.” ' “Blessed are they who can show a visitor their back yards and help keep clean the adjacent lot.” “Blessed are they who keep the grass mowed, home bright and fresh with paint; praise from the populace will be their blessing.”

“Blessed are they who keep friends and neighbours from destroying our wild flowers.”

“Blessed are they who keep their side of the divisional hedge cleaned and neatly trimmed.” “Blessed are they who appreciate Nature and her gifts, for they have their reward.”