April S, 1916 



HORTICULTURE 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



CONDUCTED BT 



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"If vain onr toil, we onfht to blame tlie cnltare. Dot the soiL" — Pofe. 



Crotons 



Cuttings will root readily in a pretty warm projiagat- 

 ing bed. When tliey are rooted jwt up ajid give them some 

 bottom heat in connection with hot-house conditions. 

 Even after their second siiift into three-inch pots the 

 combination of bottom heat and fairly warm quarters is 

 by no means to be despised, (ireat care will be needed 

 to equalize as far as possible the temperature inside. 

 During sunshine it can run up to 78 degrees and at 

 night stay at or about 68 degrees. Spray on all good 

 days and damp down the house two or three times a 

 day for they like a superabundance of moisture in the 

 air all the time. 



Dieffenbachias 



These plants make very fine foliage subjects for the 

 florist. As tlie season advances the spring and the 

 humidity of the house should be increased. Keep them 

 as near the glass as possible. They will need some shade 

 but don't overdo it. Tliese plants want a good brisk 

 heat and will never attain their proper size and ap- 

 pearance without the full amount. Now that spring is 

 here, increase the temperature up to 65 to 70 degrees 

 during the night with from 10 to 15 degrees more dur- 

 ing the day. Keep the atmosphere moist by damping 

 down the walks two or three times a, day and give them 

 a good syringing on all bright days. 



Easter Preparations 



The show house display shoidd be re-arranged every 

 day during the two weeks preceding Easter and every 

 unsightly flower or plant removed. Wien a plant is 

 sold remove it to a cool shed, tag it and put another 

 in its place. Have a good lot of madeup plants in pans, 

 baskets, etc. Much of the advice extended in previous 

 paragraphs may yet be followed to good purpose. Any 

 lilies more backward but showing rapidly swelling buds 

 and lengthening stem will need a high temperature and 

 regular sprinkling to l)ring them in line with the rest. 

 A short week of continued forcing at 65 to 70 degrees 

 will bring these along. Lilies already showing opening 

 flowers and white buds are readv to go to a cool shadv 



place where they will carry through in perfect condition 

 until the Easter trade begins. 



Gloxinias 



Gloxinias that were started in flats will now begin to 

 make considerable roots and when the young growth 

 has made one or two inclies across they should be potted 

 before they get crowded. A mixture of equal part^ of 

 loam, cow manure and leaf mold, with some fine char- 

 coal and sand, is what they like. 5 or 64nch pots are 

 sufficiently large if the tubers are of ordinarj' size. 

 Drain the pots well and press the soil moderately firm, 

 leaving the tops of the tubers just level with the sur- 

 face. Put tliem in heat immediately in a temperature 

 of about 60 degrees at night. Do not spray the leaves, 

 and shade from tlie direct sunshine. As soon as they 

 begin to move, stand the jilants near the glass. 



Palms from Seed 



It is a good plan where there is room to spare to sow 

 some palm seed every year. Always make it a point 

 to get fresh seed as they are imported from their dif- 

 ferent sources and plant from time to' time as received. 

 Palm seed germinates very irregularly. While some 

 will come in two montiis time, there are others that will 

 not show for many months and for that reason I prefer 

 pans to sow, in as flats are lialjle to rot before they are 

 large enough to pot oft'. Fill the pans with a mixture 

 of equal parts of loam, leaf mold and sand and provide 

 free drainage for each pan. The seed should be covered 

 twice their depth and pressed down finn to help retain 

 the moisture. The pans should be covered \vith moss. 

 Place where they can have a bottom heat of 85 to 90 

 degrees and with an atmospheric temperature of 70 to 

 75 degrees. 



Starting Cobaea scandens 

 ■ For a fast growing climber, there is nothing better 

 than Cobaea scandens. Sow the seed in jians in a light 

 and sandy soil. Place the seed edgewise and deep enough 

 so the edge of the seed is just even with' the surfa<*e of 

 the soil. When large enough they sliould be potted into 

 2|-i!uh pots and staked as they may require. 





Next Week: — Asparagus PlumoBUs; Callas; Cocos WeddelUana; Perns; 1917 Ramblers; SeedllnRs. 



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