PROPAGATING SPRING BEDDING PLANTS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 18, 30 October 1912, Page 39

PROPAGATING SPRING BEDDING PLANTS.

Amidst the -bustle which is identified with bedding-out at this season, the propagation of spring flowering subjects is apt to be overlooked, or. at any rate, neglected until it is too late to do justice to the matter. No time should be lost in making sowings, or inserting cuttings of the plants under notice. Primrose Polyanthuses. Those who possess plants of the improved Primrose Polyanthus should di vide the clumps. The best plan is to split them up into pieces with a couple 01 three crowns, the whole of the stock being arranged in a partly-shaded position in the reserve plot. In addi'tion to a liberal quantity of manure being incorporated during tin* process of digging, the plants should be mulched with the same material, Then. provided t hey receive attention in the matter of water ing in times of drought, a splendid lot of plants will be available for autumn planting in beds and borders.

Up-to-date Daisies. The double white and pink daisies have almost completely ousted the old-fash-ioned sorts. These plants deteriorate rapidly if left undisturbed, and in order to maintain a vigorous stock they should be treated in the same wav as polyanthuses. Abutilons can be propagated from cuttings at almost any time during spring and summer. Cuttings should consist of young shoots from four to six inches in length, and they root easiest if taken off with a heel. Use very sandy compost for this work, and cover them with a bell glass, as this prevents their wilting badly. Light syringing of the foliage also helps to keep them fresh, and also hastens root production. though overmoisture must be avoided. Training Young Plants. As soon as they show signs of commencing to grow again, pot them singly in a compost of sandy, fibrous loam, tiding small pots, and directly the roots reach the sides of these stop them to ensure bushy plants. If the aim is a standard, then reverse this by pinching out all side growths as fast as they form. When they break again after stopping, repot into a larger size, continuing this every time they fill the pots with roots. Syringe overhead each afternoon freely, and stop the shoots again as soon as they attain a length of three inches. 01*1 plants should receive an annual

pruning each spring, being sure to do this well at the base, as this is where they are most likely to go bare and unfurnished. All the time abutilons are in active growth they revel in abundance of manure water, and this should be freely given, though in weak doses at each application.