November 22, 1913 



H B T I C U L T U B E 



697 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



Questions by our readers in line with any of tbe topics presented on this page will be cordi;illy received and promptly answered 

 by Mr. Farrell. Such communications sliould invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICDLTUKE. 



Adiantums 



In Older to have a good cut of adiantums for the holi- 

 days new growth should be well along by this time. Be 

 very careful and do not give beds too much water as this 

 can be easily overdone at this season of the year. The 

 surface soil should' be allowed to become fairly dry 

 before applying any water. It is a good plan to work 

 the beds over each week which will tend to keep the soil 

 in a sweet condition. When the fronds have made fairly 

 good growth they will stand liquid feeding once a week. 

 Where it is possible see that the adiantums have full sun 

 from this out and do not fail to give ventilation when- 

 ever possible. Be careful that the atmosphere does not 

 become dry, as all adiantums love plenty of atmospheric 

 moisture. Keep it right by damping down the walks 

 three times a day. 



Cyclamen 

 There is no end to the work on a progressive plant 

 and cut flower growing establishment all the year round, 

 and especially at this time is the rush of getting every- 

 thing into shape for the winter's work. Those who 

 have made use of frames for the last two months for 

 cyclamen must now get the plants indoors. The cycla- 

 men does nicely in a house a little over 50 degrees at 

 night, and the plants from now on should be kept mov- 

 ing. Additional greenhouse space will soon be at 

 liberty as ehi-ysanthemums are cut out. Wliile the cy- 

 clamen will still do in frames for a few weeks, if well 

 looked after and protected on severe nights, it is unwise 

 to keep them out after the latter part of November. 

 Give them a light position but not too sunny. Do not 

 syringe overhead and it will pay to use the watering pot 

 in lieu of the hose. Look over the watering as early in 

 the day as possible as they should become dry by night- 

 fall. Keep the house in fairly moist state by damping 

 down the walks night and morning. Place the plants 

 well up to the glass so they will be forced to grow stocky. 



Lily of the Valley 



Newly imported pips, soon to arrive, cannot be forced 



with any success before the beginning of the new year. 



The flowers could be had, but the spikes would come 



bare of foliage. For early forcing choose the Berlin 



pips, and the Hamburg pips for late forcing. Cold 



storage pips will have to be relied upon for the hoUday 



supply. An assorting into several grades of the pips on 



their arrival is now necessary, and the storing away can 



go hand in hand with the unpacking. A cold frame 



outdoors now affords the best and most convenient place 



where they can remain until repacked for cold storage 



rooms, or taken out for forcing. If it is merely to be a 



supply for winter, then no other place is needed. In 



Mr. Farrell's next notes will be on the following: Camatlooi; 



Eflfpct: V 



such a case the pips should be packed upright in boxes, 

 with sand or soil between, under and over the bunches. 

 This simplifies labor in bringing them in, especially 

 when frost has solidified the entire contents of the 

 frame. 



Orchids 



For some months now watering should be done early 

 in the morning, and the amount of damping down of the 

 floors will, of course, depend on the weather and the 

 amount of fire heat being used. During sunless weather, 

 watering should be done with greater caution, as the 

 daylight is steadily declining now, and while some days 

 are hot there are spells of dull weather. Most orchids 

 will stand full sun now so let them have it in the fullest 

 measure. Few orchids want a close, stuffy atmosphere, 

 so ventilation should be given at all times when possible 

 in greater or less quantity according to the outside con- 

 ditions. With all orchids now in their winter quarters, 

 S(Uiie time must be given to the work of cleaning them, 

 and any spare moments are well spent in this way. 

 Temperatures should now be lowered in the several 

 bouses, as scientists tells us that plants make most of 

 their growth at night. 



Pot Roses for Eaiter 



It is time now to lift or buy roses intended for Easter 

 forcing. Just pot them in 5, 6 or 7-inch pots as they 

 may require. If the roots are long and straggly, or in 

 any way mutilated shorten them back. Use any good 

 rose soil with some bone and wood ash mixed. Be sure 

 to give them all good drainage and pot firmly. When 

 they are potted give a thorough watering. It is a good 

 plan not to prune too hard after lifting; just cut down 

 to about 18 inches for the present as you can do the 

 severe pruning when you start them up. Where the room 

 is available it will be well to give the plants a week or 

 two in a very cool house, after which they can be placed 

 in some deep frame. Look them over once in a while 

 as they should be kept moist at the roots. Plunge the 

 pots up to the rims when placing in the frames, else they 

 are liable to become broken by freezing. During mild 

 weather expose them to full air as they should be kept 

 cool until wanted for forcing. 



Preparations for Another Seaton 



The latter part of November might well be called the 

 beginning of the winter season so it is well to look over 

 your stock and see if you are short on palms or other 

 decorative plants. Where such is the case lose no time 

 in placing your order so they can be shipped before the 

 real hard weather sets in. This little forethought will 

 make it better for both buyer and seller. 



Polnsettlas; Gardenias; Schlzanthus; Veranda Boxes for Winter 



"erhenas, 



