SOWING SEEDS OF PERENNIAL PLANTS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 8, 24 February 1909, Page 40

SOWING SEEDS OF PERENNIAL PLANTS.

In sowing seeds of perennials, especially of hardy perennials, which are difficult to germinate, or which normally take several months to germinate, 1 have found it an excellent practice to cover the soil, after sowing, with loose moss. In seed pans so covered, Liverwort never appears on the surface of the soil, even when kept for 18 months or longer. Other advantages are that the moss prevents the watering from beating down the soil, and so, when necessary, enables it to be done freely and without any special care. It also keeps the surface of the soil in a state of equable moisture for a much longer time than when exposed to the air, and so obviates the need of close attention anil frequent waterings. The best moss for the purpose is the common green moss that can generally be found in plenty on the north side of the bank and hedges in country lanes in early spring. Sphagnum mess will do, and I have used it in an emergency, b"t it lies more heavily, and has less “spring.” and so does not protect the soii so well from an occasional heavy watering or rain, and it is also more difficult to remove wile’ll the seedlings appear. A layer of from one quarter to one half an inch of moss is sufficient., spread evenly and loosely immediately after the seed is sown and before watering. To prevent the moss from being blown off in a high wind, when the seed pans are in frames or in the open, it is well to lay pieces of

4-inch mesh wire netting across the top of the pans or pots. Though this use of moss as a covering is specially advantageous in the case of hardy perennials, it is equally good for all seeds of perennials sown' under glass, as well as for half-hardy annuals, etc., and I have used it successfully with fine seed such as Gloxinia, Begonia, and Streptocarpus. It is far preferable to the usual plan of covering the pan with glass and brown paper; there is much less damping off, for it allows a freer circulation of air, while giving sufficient and yet not too dense shading. If the moss is used fairly fresh it is easily taken off when the seedlings appear, as it clings together, and can be peeled off in one layer.—A. J. Bliss, in "Gardener’s Chronicle.” J*