March 1, 1913 



HORTICULTUEE 



285 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS^ STOCK 



CONDUCTED BY 



^*Uy.%p1 . PaA^^^J^ 



Questions by our readers in line with any of the topics presented on this Pa/e will be cordMly received and p^^ answered 



by Mr. Farrell. Such communications should Invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICDLlUKJi. 



Aquatics 



There is a growing demand for aquatic plants every 

 year. Now is a good time to sow seeds of Nymphaeas. 

 Use shallow pans filled with a mixture of soil and leaf 

 mold in about equal parts and some sand. For the 

 last half inch, sift the soil fine and press firmly and on 

 this sow the seed and cover with about a quarter of an 

 inch of sand. The pan can be given a good watering 

 and allowed to drain. Place the pans in tubs where 

 they can be submerged about two inches under water. 

 Place the tubs where they can have some bottom heat 

 and in a temperature of from 65 to 70 degrees. When 

 the seedlings have made about two leaves pot into 21/2- 

 inch pots and keep on shifting until June. All this time 

 they should be kept submerged in a tank or tub. For a 

 compost use heavy loam three parts, well rotten cow 

 manure one part. 



Care of Young Carnations 



After the cuttings are well rooted it does not improve 

 them to let them remain in the sand ; in fact it is liable 

 to weaken them because there is little nourishment in 

 the sand. Before potting, you should ripen them just a 

 little by giving them more sunlight than they had while 

 rooting. In fact, this should be begun as soon as they 

 start to shove out the roots. Gradually give them a 

 little more sun each day, until by the time they are ready 

 to pot they will be able to stand the full sun on a bright 

 day. Use fresh soil that has been exposed to the weather 

 and, to lighten it, add a little sand and old rotten ma- 

 nure from the hotbed if you have it. Screen it through 

 a i/o-inch mesh and see that it is about right in moisture. 

 When taking the cuttings from the sand give them a 

 slight shake to shake the sand from the roots and don't 

 take out more than you can pot in an hour or two. 

 Press the soil firmly and do not fill the pots too full, but 

 be sure there is a little loose soil on top to prevent bak- 

 ing. Water them thoroughly as soon after potting as 

 practicable. Keep shaded until they take root when 

 they should be set where they will get full sunlight all 

 day if possible. The temperature should be about 48 

 degrees to 50 degrees. 



Lemon Verbenas 



Old plants of lemon verbenas, rested for a couple of 

 months, should now be started afresh. The newly made 

 growth roots readily. Place them in a moderately warm 

 propagating bed firming well around each cutting. By 

 keeping them watered and moist with shade they will 



Mr. Farrell's next notes win be on the following: Acacias; Callas; Easter Preparations 



soon root. Mien well rooted these can be potted up in 

 2y2-inch pots using any good soil. Keep shaded until 

 they stand the sun, when they should have full exposure. 



Cyclamen for Easter 



Plants should now be well studded with buds. To 

 give their foliage a superb finish and texture they should 

 be exposed to plenty of light and air. Give manure 

 water, alternating with pure extract of soot, each to be 

 given once a week until the flowers are fully expanded. 

 Keep them in a temperature of about 50 degrees at night 

 with about 70 degrees during sunny days. They should 

 be spaced quite often. Give them a light weekly fumi- 

 gation as the aphis is a very persistent enemy to these 

 plants. Go over them every day and later on two or 

 three times a day and give those that are the driest a 

 good watering. Syringe daily until buds begin to open, 

 when it should cease. 



Lily of the Valley in Cold Storage 



After the beginning of March frames cease to be a 

 safe place for lily of the valley. Pips not used up by 

 that time, or only temporarily stored in frames for the 

 winter must go into cold storage proper. The stock to 

 be forced soon will be all right in from 26 to 28 degrees, 

 while that to be held longer keeps best in from 23 to 25 

 degrees. Of more importance than degree is steadiness, 

 and while the temperature should never be higher than 

 28 degrees or lower than 23 degrees the mark most easily 

 maintained between these two extreme points should be 

 held to right along with unwavering regularity. A re- 

 packing for cold storage is not absolutely necessary in 

 the case of valley wintered over until now in cold frames, 

 but to be on the safe side with that which is to be held 

 back until late in the season, the bundles, if an any way 

 dry, should be dipped up to the crowns in water, and 

 then be stood upright and close together in boxes, and 

 instead of sand or soil, dampened moss should be used 

 in repacking. 



Shading Palms and Ferns 



It is time now to give all palms and ferns some shad- 

 ing on the glass before they become burnt with the sun. 

 It is well not to make the shading too heavy at first; 

 Just enough to break the strong rays of the sun as these 

 plants like plenty of indirect light. Naphtha and white 

 lead makes a good shading; is easily applied and effec- 

 tive. It can be applied with a brush or syringe as de- 

 sired. Later on as the sun becomes more powerful apply 

 some more as the occasion may require. 



Orchids; Potting Soils; Ventilation. 



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