March 24, 1917 



BtOKTICULTURE 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLOIUSTS' STOCK 



CONDUCTSD BT 



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leBtlons by our readers In line with any of tbe topics presented on this page will be cordially received and promptly answered 

 br Mr. Farrell. 8acb commnnlcatlons should InTarlably be addressed to tbe office of HORTICULTURE. 

 "It vatn oar toil, we oaght to blame the cnltnre, not the atiKX."—Pofi. 



Adiantums 



I'ut adiantums that have been resting for a few 

 weeks eaii now be overhauled and where uecessaiy, re- 

 potted. Ijiirge sized pknts will carry for several years 

 ill the pots if occasionally fed with liquid manure, but 

 smaller sizes are liable to become starved if not shifted, 

 and furthermore there is more or less danger of their 

 drying out and losing much of their foliage. One 

 severe drying off is generally sufficient to ruin the 

 appearance of any adiantums and this is most liable to 

 occur with the smaller plants. Be careful in watering 

 for a few weeks and keep them in a rather close and 

 humid atmosphere and they will soon start off new. 

 Large plants can be divided, l)ut these divided portions 

 do not give as satisfactory returns as younger plants 

 potted on. While the adiantums take kindly to soil 

 containing considerable leaf-mold and this is particular- 

 ly good for young stock, larger plants want something 

 heavier, good pasture loam with .some thoroughly de- 

 composed manure added, and a good dash of sand will 

 grow excellent plants for any kind of use. 



Bulb Stock 



With Easter only two weeks off' we must be on the 

 watch in order to have all your bulb stock in first class 

 shape. There will be a lot of moving around from a 

 hot temperature to a colder one, or the reverse. This 

 is the time that the grower is put to his wits' ends, so 

 as to have this kind of stock just right. Look them 

 over two or three times a day for water. The slower 

 bulb stock is allowed to come along for Easter the better 

 the flowers will be. Far all those that are well ad- 

 vanced, a place that is away from the sun and runs at 

 about 40 degrees will keep them practically at a stand- 

 still. Don't overlook staking any bulbs that tend to 

 flop around. About the first of April will l)e time 

 enough to do any make-up work in pans, etc. See that 

 all the pots and pans are given a good washing licfore 

 the last week. 



Camellias 



These make a very fine plant for the holiday trade. 

 Camellias that are wanted in bloom by Christmas 

 sliould by this time be started into new growth. They 

 can be given about 50 degrees at night. Those that 

 need repotting can be given a shift now. A good com- 

 |iost is fibrous soil 4 parts, leaf mold two parts, well 

 decayed manure one part, and some sand. They shoubl 

 have abundance of water, especially in their gi-owinu' 

 season, but soil must not be kept in a soaked coiiditio)i. 

 The plants require a shaded house during the summer. 

 They are much more easily managed under glass than 

 when put in the open. When they have just fully taken 

 ii hold of the new compost they will need more and 

 more water with lots of syringing overhead. Do not 

 keep too close together, but give enough of room so the 

 light and air will reach all around them. 



Next Week: — Ferns: Gloxinins: IT.irfly Roses; 



Cattleyas and Laelias 



At this time and as the season advances such Cat- 

 tleyas as Schroederae. ilendelii, Mossiae and gigfus as 

 well as Laelia purpu rata, majalis and crispa, will require 

 attention in the way of ventilation which should be 

 very carefully regulated. Shading from the middle of 

 March onward until fall should not be neglected. Use 

 slat roller blind for shading, which gives the plants a 

 certain amount of direct sunlight without damaging the 

 foliage. This is better than a complete shade on tbe 

 glass as when tliere is a long spell of dull weather the 

 plants can then be exposed to full light. Although they 

 are fond of plenty of air, all cold draughts or sudden 

 changes hould be avoided. Remove all thrips and scale 

 liy frequent sponging. All these that have been potted 

 or top dressed should he frequently syringed, but it must 

 be borne in mind that over-watering at this season when 

 the roots arc inactive is very injurious, but later on 

 when they take hold of the new compost they will want 

 plenty of it. Syringe on all good days. 



Easter Lilies 



Plants intended for Easter sluiuld have a sunny bench 

 and plenty of room between them. The sun becoming 

 stronger will necessitate more attention as regards 

 waterings. Each plant should have a daily inspection. 

 Ventilation serves the double purpose of keeping the 

 right temperature and at the same time supplying a cir- 

 culation of pure air. Although Easter is now near at 

 hand much of the advice extended in previous paragraphs 

 may yet be followed to good purpose. .\ny lilies more back- 

 ward, but showing rajiidly swelling liuds and lengthen- 

 ing stem will need a high temperature and mucli regu- 

 lar sprinkling to bring them in line with the rest of the 

 Easter stock." A short week of continued forcing in from 

 (15 to TO degrees of heat will bring these to a point when 

 a gradual cooling off will be in order. Lilies already 

 showing opening flowers and white buds are ready to go 

 to a cool shady place, where they will carry througli in 

 perfect condition until the Easter trade begins. 



Reminders 



Lilies may be held back by placing in a cool shed 

 where there is no dust. 



Pot up the earlier started caladiums and cannas and 

 uivc them a slight bottom heat to start with. 



Sow aster seed for a late batch of plants about the 

 <'ncl of the month and keep them cool right along. 



Transplant seedling zinnias before they get crowded 

 in the seed boxes or they will run early to flower and be 

 useless. 



Cyclamens potted as recently advised need all the 

 light possible now, and as the roots get well through the 

 so'il plenty of water to prevent check to gn-owth. 



riants for Vases, etc.; Primulas; Reminders. 



