December 13, 1913 



HORTICULTURE 



805 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



Questions by our readers in line with any of tlie topics presented on this page will be cordially received and promptly answered 

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



Care of Cyclamens 



No matter how fine the plants may be they will not 

 sell without a flower being open, while ordinary ones 

 with a few blooms open will soon be cleaned out. Every 

 additional flower carried by a cyclamen tends to make it 

 more saleable. Plants which have a number of well- 

 developed buds not quite out should be put into a house 

 of about 50 to 55 degrees at night, as near the glass 

 as possible and in full sun. Grown thus they are 

 stocky and the flowers will not fall over the pots, as 

 they do when grown too far from the light. On benches 

 raise the most forward plants on inverted pots and 

 spread the others out. Remove all decaying foliage and 

 weeds and scratch over any scumminess which may 

 gather on the surface soil. Be very careful not to over- 

 look proper watering. There is nothing worse as a 

 dispoiler of their beauty than allowing them to dry out 

 at the roots. 



Decorative Greens 



The profit to be made out of all such greens as box- 

 wood, laurel, holly, bouquet green, leucothoe, galax, 

 ferns, etc., depends on the shape these greens are in 

 when wanted. To have them in a nice fresh condition 

 try a deep cold frame banked around on all sides with 

 leaves or hay of sufficient depth to make it practically 

 frostproof. They should be covered with material of 

 some sort to exclude the light. They keep well when 

 given a dark, moist place that is kept just above the 

 freezing point. 



Flowering Plants for Christmas 



The best paying business is done in medium-sized and 

 moderate-priced single specimens. Give all flowering 

 plants that show proper expansion of bloom cooler quar- 

 ters. Hhey will finish up into fine shape and will handle 

 better in every respect than if kept in strong heat up to 

 the last. It will require at least five or six days in a lower 

 temperature to bring them into anything like proper 

 condition to stand the store or house. To harden them 

 off they should not be kept any warmer than 55 degrees 

 at night and 50 degrees would be still better. Do not 

 overlook watering whenever they need it and space them 

 far enough apart so the light and air will have a chance 

 to circulate through them. 



Oncidiums 



As these orchids go out of flower they should have a 

 good period of rest which will help to ensure a free, 

 healthy growth later. Help out their resting period by 

 giving them a night temperature of about 45 degrees 

 with about 10 degrees higher during bright weather, 

 through the winter months. Keep a drier atmosphere, 

 but sufficient water should be used on walks and under 

 benches for the prevention of a harsh dry air. They de- 

 light in a position where they can have abundance of 

 light during the winter months. Where it is possible 

 suspend them as near the glass as you can. Give just 

 enough of water at the roots to keep them in a plump 

 state. Ventilation should be given with intelligence so 

 as not to cause any draughts or sudden falling or rising 

 of the temperature. It is well to give these orchids a 

 good cleaning and sponging about once a month to keep 

 do-ftTi insect life. 



Winter Protection 



The loss suffered by florists every year in stock usually 

 styled hardy is enormous. Many good things can safely 

 be brought through the severest of winters by proper 

 protection. Insufficiently established or newly planted 

 stock is lifted by the action of frost, and dries up. The 

 alternate melting and freezing of snow, enveloping and 

 but partly covering the plants causes much damage. Be 

 sure to have the soil surrounding the roots of the plant 

 in a moist condition. This holds good with the peren- 

 nials and shrubs, particularly with the newly planted 

 stock. Wait until the ground forms a hard crust before 

 putting on any covering. Much of all the covering done 

 every fall is put in place too early and removed too late 

 ill the spring. 



Proctecting Pansies 



All pansies that are in frames will need attention 

 from now on. Give them plenty of ventilation when- 

 ever the weather becomes anyway warm so as to prevent 

 their starting into growth. During spells of very hard 

 weather they will need some protection to keep the frost 

 from going in too far, as it only tends to heave the plants 

 out some. Keeping them from any great extreme either 

 above or below the freezing during the next two months 

 will aid greatly in producing fine strong plants by next 

 spring. 



Mr. Farroll's next notes -.vill be on the following: 



Calceolarias; Carnations; Marguerites; Pandanus Veitchii ; Sowing Fern Spores ; 

 Protecting Outside Bulbs. 



