May 19, 1917 



HOETICULTUEE 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



CONDUCTED BT 



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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 



oy Mr. I'arrell. Such communications should invariably be addressed to the office of HOBTICULTUKE. 



"It vain our toU, we oucbt to blame the culture, not the soil." Pofe. 



Amaryllis 



Seedlings sowu early in the year should be potted 

 off singly into 2^-inch j^ots when they show their sec- 

 ond leaves. Use a light compost containing two-thirds 

 leafmold at the first potting. With a moist atmosphere 

 and an abundance of syringing they will make lots of 

 roots where there is a good bottom heat. Wlien they 

 are fairly well rooted they should be potted into 4 or 5- 

 inch pots. Always grow as near as possible to the 

 glass or they will get badly drawn. Take advantage 

 of every bright day to give a good syringing both 

 under and over the foliage. When a strong force of 

 ^vater is directed, especially against the under side of 

 the leaves, you help to keep the many insects under 

 control. Provide well enriched soil and be very care- 

 ful about drainage in each pot as nothing hurts these 

 jilants as much as a poor drainage.. When the weather 

 gets real warm they can be plunged in frames near to 

 water. Here they can be given lots of ventilation dur- 

 ing the hot days. 



Allamanadas 



With the rush of the bedding-out season and 

 Memorial Day these are liable to be neglected. If they 

 have been somewhat crowded, spread them out and 

 where necessary give them one or two short stakes. 

 The night temperature may be kept at about 70 de- 

 grees with a rise of 10 or 15 degrees in the day. It 

 is essential to give ventilation to keep the temperature 

 at the right mark. Damp down two or three times a 

 day to keep the atmosphere moist. Allamanada Wil- 

 liamsii is one of the most valuable of summer flower- 

 ing pot plants. Allamanadas are easily propagated 

 from soft wood cutting of this season. Place in sand 

 over a bottom heat of 75 degrees. Probably the better 

 method is that of putting each cutting into a thumb 

 pot, first filling the pot with sand and peat, or sand and 

 leaf mold in equal proportions. Shading will be neces- 

 sary for a while. In about three week.« the cuttings 

 will have rooted. 



Chrysanthemums 



Cuttings should not remain too long in sand but be 

 potted off as soon as rooted. Ordinary good soil is all 

 they want at present. The shifting into larger pots 

 should not be delayed too long in the case of exhibition 

 plants. Medium flowers net more money than the big 

 ones. People may admire the latter, but they object to 

 paying a price commensurate with their cost. We pre- 

 fer cuttings which need no shortening back. Those 

 three or four inches long are about right. It will be 

 uecessarv' to keep the cuttings well soaked a few weeks. 

 In bright weather several dampings overhead will be 

 I'cciuired to keep them plumji, and no good grower ever 

 wants to see stock in the cuttings bench with a flagg\- 

 look. About 50 degrees is high enough. For general 

 stock chrysanthemums may be propagated at any time 

 until June, but for the production of high grade flow- 



ers and for exhibition plants and blooms early propa- 

 gation is essential. The earlier rooted cuttings are of 

 little use, however, to the average country florist. 



Cibotium Schiedei 



During the spring these will need lots of moisture 

 both at the roots and in the house. Give them sufB- 

 cient ventilation and do not keep the house too humid 

 as it makes them very soft. These handsome ferns 

 should always be given an elevated position so as to 

 letain the graceful sweep of their fronds. Where 

 cibotiums are quite pot bound give them a weekly dose 

 of Mquid feeding. There is nothing better than cow 

 manure, using about a bushel in a barrel that holds 

 aliout fifty gallons of water. Let it stand for about 

 two days and if too strong dilute it some. They can 

 get tliis about once a week. While these ferns like 

 shade tliey do not want it too heavy. Shading nine 

 times out of ten is overdone with all kinds of ferns. 

 AVhen they become pot-bound shift into larger pots. 

 They like a compost of fibrous loam, leaf mold, well 

 ilccaycd cow manure and sand in equal parts. 



Canterbury Bells 



To get good plants for flowering next year, sow tlie 

 seed at once, then transplant into flats and later plant 

 outdoors in well manured ground, allowing twelve 

 inches between the rows. A common mistake is sow- 

 ing the seed of these lioautiful biennials too late. Nice 

 plants may be had in 7-inch or 8-inch pots. Canter- 

 bury bells are handsome border plants, but are even 

 finer in pots, when grown cool and given the necessary 

 space for their proper development. Some are each 

 year seen at Easter, but never of the quality obtainable 

 later in the season. When large enough they should 

 be planted in a rich soil, and all through the summer 

 given good culture and an abundance of water during 

 dry weather. 



Care of Spiraeaes 



Dear Editor: 



I would like to get, tlirough your Mr. J. J. M. Farrell, 

 Information on tlie proper care of Spireas Gladstone, 

 Queen Alexandra have them in good condition for next 

 blooming, so as to and others, after they are through 

 season. P. F. 



All spiraeas such as Gladstone and Queen Alexandra 

 should be planted out in rich ground about 18 inches 

 apart in rows and left until autumn of next year to be 

 in good condition for forcing. They would not have 

 enough of time to be in first-class condition for the 

 first season. Keep cultivated and clear of weeds. 



Reminder 



Plant out any left-over azaleas, acacias, ericas and 

 cpacris. Pick away all loose soil from the roots, re- 

 move the drainage and be sure to plant freely. Give 

 them a sunny location, where you can readily reach 

 them with the hose. 



Next Week :— Alocasljis: Dracaen.ns; Forcing Lily of the Valley; Hardy Perennials: Primulas; Heminders. 



