December 27, 1913 



HORTICULTURE 



897 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



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

 by Mr. Farrell. Such commnnleations should iDTariably be addressed to the office of H0RT1CUL.TDRE. 



Care of Sweet Peas 



These should now be well advanced in growth, and 

 the steins improving in length, but not until early 

 spring will they attain that strength which we like to 

 see. If the plants are covered with buds and in good 

 health, with small fibrous roots coming to the surface 

 a light mulch will do them good. Feeding must be 

 given with care. The plants are unable to assimilate 

 anytliing like the amount of food now that they can 

 two months hence. If the stems show any signs of 

 becoming shorter a watering of liquid cow or sheep 

 manure once in two weeks will help them. A top- 

 dressing of well decayed cow or pulverized sheep ma- 

 nure is better if lightly forked into the ground before 

 watering. It is better to avoid all chemicals at this 

 season, for unless applied with great caution, they will 

 do far more harm than good. Tying must be regularly 

 attended to, for once any stems become bent the flowers 

 are unsalable. The temperature with sun heat can run 

 up to 65 or 68 degrees, but on cloudy days a maximum 

 of 55 to 58 degrees is sufficient and at night about 50 

 degrees. 



Easter Lilies 



Now that the lioliday trade leaves quite some bench 

 space it will be well to bring in some of the lilies in- 

 tended for the Easter trade. Lilies should be given 

 immediate attention. Harrisii or Formosa lilies, if they 

 are just coming through the ground now will be all right 

 as Easter does not come this year until April 12th. 

 There isn't any reason for using a strong heat, for the 

 present, at least, for any lilies intended for Easter; 

 55 degrees will do nicely ; a higlier temperature will only, 

 especially in the dark days, tend to produce a soft 

 growth. In about three weeks it will be all right to 

 give them 60 degrees. In the case of multiflorums and 

 giganteums, if the growths are three to four inches 

 high you are all right. These lilies can be given a house 

 that stands about 60 degrees at night and in about 

 three weeks they can have 65 degrees. 



Mignonette 



Mignonette likes a cool, bracing atmosphere. At all 

 times when prudence offers no objections, air should 

 be freely admitted — ^not rushing or chilling drafts, but 

 merely fresh air to counteract stagnancy, and excess in 

 atmospheric liumidity and temperature. Bench-grown 

 mignonette will hardly be at its best until the shortest 

 days and gloomiest stretch of winter have been passed. 



.Mr. Farrell's next notes will be on the following: Aspargus plumosus and Sprengeri; Geriiniuins in Winter 



Seed Sowing; Tuberous Begonias; Start Making Flats. 



It then shows how good culture is capable of giving a 

 lift to nicely established, sturdy growth. A rather low 

 temperature at present from 43 degi'ees to 45 degrees is 

 in accord with good culture as regards high-grade mig- 

 nonette for cutting. Give attention to tying and dis- 

 bud strong shoots, cut away twiggy straggling ones,; 

 water sparingly and do not fumigate unless actually 

 needed. Another sowing of mignonette for pot and 

 bench culture can now be made to be grown into good 

 stock for the spring trade. 



Orchids 



We are now coming into our shortest days, when 

 careful watering counts. To do this work right the 

 grower will have to go over his plants every day and 

 make it a rule to water only as they may need it. All 

 such orchids as cattleyas, ccelogynes, miltonias, laelias, 

 odontoglossums, etc., love fresh air, so make it a point 

 to give some ventilation every day even if it is only for 

 an hour as it will help to keep the air sweet. Those of 

 the East Indian family will stand more coddling and 

 thrive, but that does not mean that they do not want 

 ventilation, too. This should be given, on all bright 

 days. Do not keep the houses too damp during dull 

 and murky weather, but during bright weather you 

 can damp down two or three times a day. Use any 

 spare time now in cleaning and sponging the orchids. 



Propagfation 



Florists who raise any and all kinds of plants for an 

 ever-open market carry on propagation at all seasons 

 with hardly any let-up at any time. The benches on 

 which propagating is done should be exposed to the full 

 light, but be so arranged as to afford ready means for 

 expeditious placing and removal of shading. Give 

 plenty of minute openings to insure perfect drainage. 

 On these a layer of coarsely broken up soil — usually the 

 rough leavings from the siftings of potting soil, is 

 spread about half an inch thick and on this goes the 

 sand. 



Starting Bulbous Stock 



We are now getting more room so we can keep up a 

 steady succession of all kinds of bulbous stock from this 

 out. Bring flats of narcissi, tulips, hyacinths, etc., into 

 heat every week. The tulips sliould be kept in a dark 

 place so their stems will draw up. All those intended 

 for Easter should be held in a cold pit or cellar that 

 can be ke]5t as near freezing as possible. When kept at 

 45 and even 40 degrees they will come along far too 

 early. 



Sowing Gloxinias; 



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