October 17, 1914 



HORTICULTURE 



645 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS^ STOCK 



CONDUCTED BY 



1^^ 



9^.^a^uta/' 



QneetloQi by our readers In line with any of the topics presented on this page will be cordially received and oromptly aniwered 

 by Mr. Farrell. Such communlcatlODS should invariably be addressed to the office of HOKTICClTUEB. 



Asparagus Sprengeri 



All asparagus needs plenty of moisture around the 

 roots especially when the roots are confined in a basket 

 or pot. Trouble with A. Sprengeri is usually due to 

 lack of water at the roots. Asparagus, when growing 

 at all and proper drainage is provided, can stand feed- 

 ing, and liquid cow manure — saw twice a week — is as 

 good as anything. New growth is now coming up and 

 a good top dressing for the plants whether in baskets or 

 planted out on benches or beds, is of great help. They 

 do very well in a 55 to 60 degrees night temperature. 

 On all good days they like to be syringed. 



Azaleas 



Most of the azaleas are so heavily rooted that it is 

 necessary to trim the roots so that they will go into a 

 pot suitable for the size of the plant. If the ball is cut 

 down with a big, sharp Imife, I never saw the least hami 

 come of it. L^npack as soon as received and give the 

 ball of roots a good dipping in a tub of water for at least 

 an hour, to soak them through. Pot firmly in 6 to 8 

 inch azalea pots using any good grade of potting soil 

 and stand them in a cool, shady house and keep rather 

 close for a week. Spray lightly two or three times daily. 

 Those wanted for Easter should be stored in a cool pit 

 where it will get sufficient light and where the frost can 

 be excluded in zero weather. Those wanted for holiday 

 forcing should be gradually inured in a cool house which 

 will get them into shape for a warmer place in two or 

 three weeks. 



Begonia Lorraine and Cincinnati 



Wliat the larger specimen begonias — those in from 

 five to eight pots — are most in need of now is room, 

 plenty of it. They should be raised up closer to the 

 glass, be placed on blocks of wood or inverted pots, and 

 far enough apart to have every one of the overhanging 

 branches fully exposed to the light. Tobacco fumiga- 

 tion in mild form before the flowers open will not harm, 

 but after that it will. A layer of tobacco stems be- 

 tween and under the plants does much in keeping away 

 insects. Temperature should not go below 55 nor rise 

 above 70 degrees. Begonias of the smaller sizes, now 

 making a rapid growth, also demand their full share 

 of the grower's attention just now. 



Mr. Farrell's next notes will be on the followin 



Care of Carnations 



When syringing, special attention should be given to 

 the ends of the benches where pipes may be nearer the 

 plants, and dry walks sliould be damped down every day. 

 If a general syringing is not given every day the plants 

 should at least get a sprayingjhrough the bottom from 

 every other walk. It must be done early in the morn- 

 ing, so tliat they will dry off before night. In the winter 

 when the plants will not dry, the syringings have to be 

 cut down to about one a week and even then they have to 

 be shaken to remove the sur^jlus moisture so that they do 

 not remain wet over night. Disbudding is another 

 thing which must be done at the right time. When the 

 plants are growing fast, they should be gone over at 

 least once a week. Apply a light dusting of bone flour, 

 about 100 pounds to 2,000 square feet of bench surface. 

 You can apply a top dressing of loam and cow manure in 

 equal parts, putting it on about half an inch thick. 



Orchids 



Slimmer flowering orchids will now welcome a good 

 rest. It is better to wait until the new growths begin 

 to show with new roots just pushing before repotting. 

 Taken in liand at this stage they soon become re-estab- 

 lished. ITse either clear osmunda fibre, or live sphag- 

 num moss and osmunda in equal parts. Give the pots 

 or baskets half their .depth of crocks with some charcoal 

 to insure good drainage. When potting bring the new 

 compost well up to the base of the pseudo-bulb, potting 

 moderately firm. Give them a shady part of the house 

 for a little while and keep the floors and benches well 

 damped down. Great care in watering will be necessary 

 until the plants become well established. Give them a 

 temperature of from 55 to 58 degrees at night. 



Sowing Stocks 



Now is a good time to sow some of this seed for pots 

 and bench culture later on. Sow in pans or flats upon a 

 fine sandy mixture, and cover the seed about three times 

 their diameter. Kec]) in a temperature of aliout 48 

 ■degrees at night. A\'hcn hirge enough they should be 

 pricked out in other flais and later on they can be potted 

 off. 



Lily of the Valley for Holidays; 



: Callas; Christmas Plants; Tulips for Forcing 

 Propagation; Night Temperatures. 



BOOM YOUR BUSINESS 



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