April 28, 1917 



HORTICULTURE 



545 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS^ STOCK 



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Questions 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 communications should lnvarlnt)ly be addressed to the ottlce of HOKTICULTDHH. 



"If vain our toll, we ought to blame the culture, not the eoil." — Pope. 



Bougainvilleas 



Bougainvillea cuttings may be struck from half- 

 ripened wood, cut into 6-inch lengths, placed in sand 

 over bottom heat, and in a night temperature of 70 

 degrees, allowing it to rise 10 degrees with sun heat. 

 Keep moist and shade from the sun and they will root 

 in a few weeks. Give them a good watering; afterward 

 frequent sprinkling or syringing will afford the neces- 

 sary moisture. When rooted tliey should be taken out 

 of the sand and placed in small pots filled with good 

 loam containing a liberal sprinkling of clear sand. Wlien 

 tlie young {dants get established they will make roots 

 rapidly, and should therefore be shifted frequently until 

 they are in 6 or 7-inch pots. A good compost for these 

 shifts is turfy loam foiu- parts, weU-rotted manure, one 

 part and some sand ; the last shift can be made richer. 



Compost 



Those who had their sod piled up last faU and ex- 

 posed to severe freezing should have soil of fine pliable 

 nature by this time. It is time now to prepare com- 

 post for all cut flower stock. For such crops as roses, 

 carnations and chrysanthemums, there is plenty of 

 time during May or June to have it in good shape for 

 these crops. The preparation of all compost should be 

 done ill a thorough going manner. To be right it 

 should be turned several times before it is used. If 

 manure was added to it last fall in the proportion of 

 one load of manure to three loads of sod, it will have 

 changed the proportion by this time to one-fifth by the 

 gradual decomposition that takes place with the nuxn- 

 ure. So aU such soil would be better to have a load or 

 two of barnyard manure added to every four of soil 

 during these turnings, but the application of additional 

 furtilizing matter should be deferred until later in the 

 form of mulches or liquid stimulants as the plants may 

 actually require it. Be sure and keep your piles clear 

 of weeds etc., until all used up. 



Tuberous Rooted Begonias 



Prepare stock which will be showy and fit for im- 

 mediate effect by the end of May and if short on these 

 begonias don't delay a minute such preparation. There 

 is still time for the tubers will not require the length 

 of time they did in January to commence sending out 

 their roots and start growth. Those that were started 

 early and are now showing flower buds will take lots 

 of water when their pots become filled with roots. See 

 that they have enough of shade to keep their foliage 

 i'rom burning, but not too heavy. These will make ex- 

 cellent specimens for early flowering. Do not keep too 

 warm ; anywhere from 58 to 62 degrees at night will be 

 liigh enough. They should have some kind of shade 

 from 9 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon. 



Next week : — Asters ; Chrysanthemums ; F 



Pelargonium 



There is no finer flowering pot plant during May 

 and June, and every retail grower should plan to have 

 a good number of these on hand. Many pelargoniums 

 can be disposed of during the bedding season. Let 

 each plant have all the space necessary for growing into 

 good shape. If they have their final shift and are be- 

 coming pot bound feeding is in order. Light doses of 

 liquid cow manure are of great benefit and wiU help 

 to keep the foliage green. Plants on hand now should 

 be planted in a liberal pot, in a good loam with good 

 drainage. They want a light bench and plenty of ven- 

 tilation. If the pots can be plunged into soil or ashes 

 this course is to be preferred to a bench situation where 

 they will dry every few hours. Give them a look over 

 two or three times a day now for water. Give light 

 fumigations eveiy week so as not to let fly get a foot- 

 hold. 



Phalaenopsis 



As these orchids pass out of flower they are always 

 Ijetter for a short rest. They should be kept compara- 

 tively dry, but should not remain dry for any length 

 of time as they have no pseudo-bulbs in which to store 

 up nourishment. The best time to overhaul these 

 orchids is just before they send forth their new roots 

 when they should be repotted or fresh material given. 

 Where the compost is good it is not necessaiy to re- 

 move it all evei7 year. Just pick out some of the old 

 compost and renew with chopped live sphagniun and 

 fern fibre in equal parts. If there is any orchid that 

 requires good care at all seasons it is the phalaenopsis. 

 When the compost assumes a slight crispness to the 

 touch it is time to give them some water. Phalaen- 

 opsis amabilis, Schilleriana and Eimestadtiana are good 

 kinds to grow. Shade should be increased from this 

 out, by whatever means seems best. Spray overhead 

 morning and riglit after dinner and sponge often to 

 keep them clean. 



Reminders 



Pot oS any seedlings of Asparagus plumosus, smilax, 

 grevilleas and AraUa Sieboldii. 



Give the hydrangeas, spirseas and other Memorial 

 Day stock an abundant water supply. 



Look out for aphis on the calceolarias and pelar- 

 goniums. Never let up on the weekly fumigation. 



Carefully watch the crops of ten weeks stock, candy- 

 tuft and 'feverfew for Memorial Day. Air freely, 

 water carefully and scratch the surface to prevent 

 baking. 



icus; Hydrangeas; Palm Seed; Reminders. 



