February 11, 1911 



HORTICULTURE 



171 



There is a suspicion in tlie mind of tlie writer that the 

 proposition is akin to that of the good wife when she sets 

 bread to raise, sometimes it doesn't. 



Illmo'k. 



Seasonable Notes on Culture of 

 Florists^ Stock 



(JOELOUYNE CKISTATA 



This orcliid is at its best during February and March 

 and is one of the most useful as a florists' cut flower. Its 

 culture is comparatively simple. A common error is in 

 trying to force it in too warm a temperature. A house 

 where the temperature stands at from 50 to 55 degrees at 

 night will give flowers of a finer quality than when grown 

 warmer. Keep the plants that are in flower rather dry 

 at the roots, for the bulbs have enough of stored up en- 

 ergv to keep tlie flowers in a fresh state for some time. 

 When these orchids are through flowering any necessary 

 repotting should then be done, but they do better when 

 left undisturbed until the compost has become exhausted, 

 or when they become too dense, and have outgrown their 

 pans or baskets. The best compost is fibrous peat and 

 fresh sphaguuui in tMjual parts. Use plenty of drainage 

 so the compost will not become sour. After repotting 

 place them where they can be kept shaded and rather 

 moist until new roots push into the compost. They 

 should have a free cool atmosphere, with syringing over- 

 head once or twice a day, never allowing them to become 

 dry at the roots in their growing season. Give manure 

 in a weak form about once a week' during the season of 

 growth. Don't shade too heavily. 



BOUGAINYILLE.i FOR EASTER 



Plants that are to be in bloom for Easter should now 

 be in a sunny house with a night temperature of about 

 50 degrees, until they have developed some root action. 

 As the new growth appears the temperature should be 

 slowly raised to 60 or up to 65 degrees if necessary. While 

 under this forcing they will need water in ample quanti- 

 ties both at the roots and in overhead sprinkling. When 

 they get into fairly good growth they will need careful 

 watching so that they do not dry out too quick, a condi- 

 tion which is very liable to produce a few flowers prema- 

 turely instead of a full set of bloom. When they are in 

 bloom they will be better if removed to a house several 

 degrees cooler. A gi-adually hardening off will keep 

 them in order. After the plants have made a fail" start 

 weekly doses of liquid manure will be very beneficial. 



GARDENIAS 



To make these plants bloom freely from now on lie 

 careful not to have the roots in too wet or dry condition 

 and guard against all extremes in temperature, whicli 

 will surely result in the loss of buds and foliage turning 

 j'ellow. It is indispensable to keep the atmosphere in a 

 fairly moist condition with a night temperature of from 

 65 to ?0 degrees. Now with the increasing sunshine, and 

 if the plants are in a vigorous ((indition. thev slio.ild ]\;i\r 

 a top dressing. There is nothing better than cow ma- 

 nure one part, new soil two parts, but don't be too gener- 

 ous in applying this mulch. A half-inch at a time, and 

 then ever}- now and then as they may need it will be bet- 

 ter than to indulge in one heavy application. Insects 

 such as greenfly and mealy bug should never be allowed 

 to get a headway. Carefid syringing with a good pres- 

 sure will help to keep them in check. Give frequent 

 fumigation for greenfly. While fire heat is at its maxi- 



iMum, if stock is needed, propagate now. Insert where 

 tliere is a bottom heat of 80 degrees and by daily spray- 

 ings and keeping close with shade in about 3 or 4 weeks 

 they will have sufficient root to pot off. When potting 

 them use a light sandy soil, and with about a week of 

 nursing in the way of a moist atmosphere with some 

 shade you will have good stock well started. 



LILIES FOR EASTER 



On all bright days syringe often — say two or three 

 times. Lilies, when making rapid growth in a strong 

 heat, will cons-ime water in great quantities and should 

 never be allowed i-o sufEer for the want of it, while on the 

 other hand they must never be kept in a soggy condition, 

 for no plant will more quickly resent an over supply of 

 water at the roots. As the buds are swelling liquid ma- 

 nure will prove a benefit if applied witii caution. Lilies 

 that are just showing their clusters of buds will need 

 but very little forcing to be right for Easter, a tempera- 

 ture of 60 degrees being high enough for the present, but 

 if the buds don't appear by the first days in March they 

 will need a brisk forcing temperature, 70 or 75 degrees. 

 Buds that are in sight the last of Febiniary will give time 

 enough for a few days' sojourn in a cool house which al- 

 ways gives gratifying results. It takes about six weeks 

 from the time buds first show until they are fully devel- 

 oped, but of course the weather conditions either help or 

 hinder. Fumigate once or twice a week so as to keep 

 that ever-persisting aphis in check. 



PANDANUS 



For the filling of baskets and other receptacles, and 

 for other uses too numerable to mention, small and medi- 

 um sized Pandanus Veitchii are always in demand. We 

 are at the season now when this plant can be most suc- 

 cessfully propagated. Where there is bottom heat avail- 

 able the small suckers can be severed from the old plants 

 and placed in sand where they will I'oot quickly. When 

 rooted they can be potted in a mixture of fibrous loam 

 three parts, and well rotted cow manure one part. Grow 

 on in a temperature of from 65 to 70 degrees at night. 

 The best color effect is obtained by judicious exposure to 

 the light, when it is apparent that the plants will stand 

 it. 



PELARGONIUMS 



Give these plants a situation with sufficient space to en- 

 able the air and light to reach all the foliage. Water can 

 he more freely applied from this time on. Until they 

 come into flower they vrill be helped materially by the 

 use of manure water. Give a night temperature of 50 

 to 55 degrees. Avoid keeping them too wet, and see 

 that the atmosphere is not kept too close and humid. 

 Xever let gi-eenfly get troublesome ; fumigate often so as 

 to keep them in check. 



Mr. FarreU's uext notes win be ou the following: Carnations; 

 .^rdisias; Flcus elastica ; Gladiolus; Hybrid Perpetual Roses; 

 l.il.v of the Valley In Pots and Pans for Easter. 



Cover Illustration 



The view presented on our cover page this week fur- 

 nishes, we think, an excellent suggestion as to the ar- 

 laiigement of blooming orchids for decorative effect. We 

 have frequently inspected orchid houses, well-stocked 

 with beautiful material but, with no attempt at arrange- 

 ment, the individual plants and flowers were all there 

 was to admire and splendid opportunities for the display 

 of taste and ability to make a fitting setting were neg- 

 lected. The view shows an orchid corridor in the 

 l?oyal Nurseries of Stuart Low & Co. at Enfield, near 

 London, Euffland. 



