Kar 29, 1915 



HOETICULTURE 



713 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS^ STOCK 



CONDCCTKD BY 



^^^>-x%.9^.T-^t/,Az^^ 



Questions by our readers In line with any of the topics presented on tbls page will be cordially received and promptly answered 



by Mr. Farrell. Such communications should Invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTURE. 



**lf vain our toll, we on£:bt to blame the coltore, not the soil." — Pope. 



Amaryllises. 



There is no better place for these during the summer 

 and until October than a cold frame where the pots 

 can be plunged up to their rims. Give them a syring- 

 ing every afternoon, but during spells of hot weather 

 they will be better for two or tliree syringings. Place 

 lightly shaded sash over them so they can have a free 

 circulation of air. When gro'ning seedlings it is better 

 to devote a bench to the 

 young plants. Keep shift- 

 ing as they may require un- 

 til they are in a 5 or G inch 

 pot. Give a rather heavy 

 fibrous loam two parts, 

 well decayed cow manure 

 one pai"t, some. gritty sand 

 «nd bone with a dash of 



800t. 



Cymbidiums. 



When once well estab- 

 lished, cymbidiimis ore not 

 difficult to grow. There are 

 some very handsome species 

 in this genus. They must 

 never be thoroughly dried 

 out, especially the thin- 

 leaved kinds, as then they 

 are liable to lose many of 

 their leaves. Althougli 

 they are fond of plenty 

 of water at the roots 

 when growing, syringing 

 overhead often injures them. 

 If the drainage is defective 

 the roots are sure to decay 

 and the leaves shrivel. 

 Those requiring new mati- 

 rial, repotting, etc., should 

 obtain it as soon as the 

 flowering season is past. It 

 is Tery annoying to find 



some plants continually getting into bad condition, but 

 it will often prove that the trouble lies in the quantity 

 of water siij)p]ied at the root or that the atmosphere 

 is either too dry or too wet. Cymbidiums like a 

 moist, intermediate temperature. From 55 to 65 degi-ees 

 will please them. Wlien not growing they should be 

 kept somewhat cooler with ])lonty of air given on all 

 suitable occasions, but avoiding all draughts. 

 Planting Dahlias. 



I'lanting can be done any time from now and up to 

 the middle of June. All dormant roots sbould be 

 planted now. To attain llu^ best results dahlias should 

 receive no check from start lo finish. 'I'hey will grow 

 in any fertile soil, but their preference .seems to be for 

 a deep, moist, and sandy loam. The ground should 

 have a liberal amount of plant food well incorporated. 



CVMBIDIUM I.NSIGN'IS VAR. Sa.MJKK.\K 



Well decayed stable manure will be found the most 

 satisfactor}', but when this cannot be procured sheep 

 manure or any chemical fertilizer rich in ammonia 

 and phosphoric acid vsdll answer as a substitute. They 

 should be planted at least two fe^t apart in the rows 

 and about five feet between the rows. Wlien planting 

 out from pots see that they are thoroughly soaked 

 through, and firm each plant well. When they are all 



planted keep them well cul- 

 tivated at least once a week. 

 Outdoor Sweet Peas. 



Take good care of the 

 sweet peas from now on. If 

 the weather becomes dry 

 whenever possible keep 

 them moist at the roots by 

 plenty of water at the roots. 

 A general mulch between 

 the rows is of immense 

 benefit. Note the color of 

 foliage, height of vines, 

 length of flower stems and 

 general vigor of mulched 

 over unmulched rows. 

 Sweet peas love moisture 

 at the root. They also en- 

 joy syringing overhead on 

 the evenings of hot days. 

 We prefer to pick the flow- 

 ers as soon as the dew has 

 gone in the morning. If 

 picked damp on a hot day 

 and placed in a cold room, 

 the chances are that many 

 will spot. Keep the flowers 

 closely picked and remove 

 seed pods carefully. If 

 these latter are allowed to 

 develop, the vines will 

 speedily decline in vigor. 

 If you cannot afford time 

 to mulch the rows, then keep the soil constantly 

 cultivated. 



Violets. 

 It is about time to clean the violet houses. Clean the 

 l)aths and ground under the benches and against walls, 

 etc., and remove all stray weeds. Kill out all fimgus 

 by thoroughly fumigating tlie house .two or three 

 times. Clean woodwork and give a good coat of white 

 paint. After everything is cleaned benches can be filled, 

 using cut sod three parts, well rotted cow manure one 

 |)art, with a little boiic meal. Shade the house and keep 

 on plenty of ventilation both day and night. After the 

 violets are planted, keep the soil around them in a moist 

 state and every good day give a good syringing in the 

 morning. It is always well to plant \iolet stock early 

 so that they are established before they get torrid heat. 



N«xt VFeek — Chrysanthemums; C.vrliimen ; Kmik 



Criljiilhims : Marguerites: Winlor Floworinir 

 Annmils. 



Stocks : Syrlnjflny 



S.>wln); Late 



