GARDENING NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 7, 9 January 1946, Page 2

GARDENING NOTES

GLADIOLUS CULTURE (Contributed by the Wanganui Horticultural Society.) With the Glad’ Show only a week away there are many necessary things to be attended to, to ensure urst class blooms on the day of the show. Growth is very rapid now and to make sure that this is maintained the soil must be carefully worked and a plentiful supply of water available at all times. Be careful to avoid any checking of the growth as this will affect the flower spike which is now developing rapidly within the plant. The aim should be to maintain a steady growth right up to the day the spike is cut. If you lind the soil dries out. too quickly try mulching with straw or some similar covering to preserve the moisture content of the soil. As soon as the flower spike comes through the sheath, .stake the plant securely. As I he spike lengthens add more ties, being careful to allow sufficient movement for the stem to develop without kinking. At this stage any buds that do not face up in the approved manner can be gently trained into position. Do not. attempt to manipulate the buds early in the day when they me usually full of sap and very brittle. Taken carefully, surprising results can be produced from what looks sometimes to be a hopeless case. As the spikes develop watch out for stray caterpillars which can damage that potential champion irreparably. As soon as the spikes you expect to take to the show open their first florets, cut them, taking care to leave as much leaf as possible to develop the new corm for next season. At the same time as long a spike as possible is lequired and to get this it will be found easy, to insert a sharp knife well down in the sheath and then a slight bend of the spike away from the cut and a sharp twist of the spike and out slides a nice long stem without the leaves being destroyed. Place the cut spike upright in fresh cool water and place the container in a cool place till the time to pack up for the journey to the show. If you wish to do so and so be certain of having perfectly straight stems for displaying, tie. the stems to canes before placing in the container, being sure to stand the spikes straight up and prevent the Ups from bending to grow straight up as nature demands. If the suggestion enumerated above are closely followed the maximum number. of spikes will be available for exhibition which is the aim of us all. not fail to enquire, as it may save have read the rules and instructions carefully beforehand and should you require enlightment on any point do not fail to enquire as it may save later disappointment through displaying in the wrong class, etc. The night before the shoiy sort out your blooms to other classes so that i«n the morning rush you know approximately where each spike belongs. It is then simple to make a final check and any last minute changes that may be desirable. If you compete in some of the larger groups attempt to colour blend your exhibit and thus enhance the beauty of your flowers as well as balance the whole exhibit. The next write up on gladiolus culture we will deal with the lifting and storing of the corms.