October 12, 1912 



H R T I C IT L T U E E 



503 



ROSE GROWING UNDER GLASS 



CONDUCTED BY 



i/l/C7ty(^^yi'<^J^-<^ 



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

 by Mr. Ruzlcka. Such communications ghonld Invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTURE. 



Temperature in Houses 



With the weather outside constantly changing the 

 temperature in the houses must be regulated accordingly. 

 On the cool frosty nights do not let he temperature drop 

 down to 54 or less, especially in the Beauty houses. The 

 old theory of hardening the plants does not work well in 

 the long run and if your Beauties drop down to 54 many 

 nights at this season they will likely get a severe check 

 and. once checked, most growers know what it takes to 

 start them off again, if they start at all; or they may 

 grow and grow and grow and yet no signs of a bud any- 

 where. We find fall a very important part of the season 

 and also that if the stock is handled wrong in the fall it 

 will not do well all winter. 



Rest the Plants? 



We know a grower who had several benches of fine 

 teas, which cut quite heavy all summer. Following a 

 suggestion of a friend he thought it wise to give these 

 plants a little rest, and then start them up for the com- 

 ing winter thinking that if the plants were not allowed 

 to 2>roduce much in the fall they ought to bloom all the 

 more in winter after a little rest. On being asked after- 

 ward if it was wise to rest plants in the fall he remarked : 

 "I rested some once, and they rested nearly all winter." 

 And we are of the same opinion. 



Bone Meal 



From now on roses should receive an occasional toj) 

 dressing of bone meal, especially if they are growing 

 freely. We always aim to apply it just before mulching, 

 as the plants get more out of it. The best time to apply 

 bonemeal, if it cannot be followed by a mulch, is when 

 the plants are just breaking for another crop. A dose 

 of feed at this time will help greatly in lengthening the 

 stems and making same much stronger than they would 

 be otheiTvise. After the bonemeal is applied go over 

 the bench and gently rub the very surface of the soil or 

 mulch over to spread the bonemeal a little more evenly 

 and also to incorporate it with the soil a least bit. Be 

 very carefnl in doing tliis, and do not scratch too deep. 

 If you want to know why, then just go and gently re- 

 move a portion of the previous mulch or the very surface 

 of the soil. What do yon find ? Thousands of very fine 

 white roots which are lying there in wait for feed and 

 if these are destroyed by carelessly raking over the 

 benches every now and then, the plants cannot grow 

 properly and of course it is always the soil that is blamed 

 or the location or something similar. 



Liquid Manure 

 Do not be over anxious to feed your plants by apply- 

 ing strong liquid manure. Plants with but little soil 

 that have been producing quite heavily will be benefited 



by liquid manure, but plants in general with a benchful 

 of soil will hardly require it as yet. At any rate be care- 

 ful and not overdo it using liquid manure only about 

 once a week. Malcing the first dose rather weak, it can 

 be increased in strength until it is as rich as the pipes 

 will carry it. We would not advise using fertilizer of 

 any kind with the liquid manure to be applied early in 

 the season. A little bone meal may be put into it. This 

 is more of a plant food than a stimulant and will do no 

 harm. 



With the steam boiler going it will be an easy matter 

 to heat the liquid in the tank enough to start fermenta- 

 tion, providing of course the pipes are arranged in the 

 tank. This will make the liquid available to the plants 

 almost immediately — sort of "predigested" as a grower 

 once told me. His roses certainly looked as if they were 

 getting something out of the ordinaij ; the strong stems 

 and foliage almost black in color testifie'd the same. 



Roses Outside 



These will gradually fall off crop now and will soon 

 go to sleep for the winter. Make sure that no water will 

 stand among the plants and lie there frozen for weeks. 

 We find nearly all trees, shrubs, etc., like "dry feet" in 

 the winter and where at all possible see that the ground 

 is so graded that it will drain properly. A little strawy 

 manure put among the plants will give them protection 

 against the sun — yes, the sun — for frost does not hurt 

 them as much as a warm day now and then which starts 

 the sap flowing and then a severe frost following freezes 

 the plant. By saying protect your plants, we mean pro- 

 tect them against changes of weather so that when they 

 freeze they will stay frozen until the time comes for 

 them to start. 



Do not be over anxious to apply this protective mulch. 

 Wait until the ground freezes slightly and then apply it 

 to the frozen ground. This of course cannot be done 

 at all times, but it is well to do so where it can be done. 



Leaky Propagating Houses 



Growers witli experience in propagation will know 

 what it is to have a leaky roof over a bench of cuttings. 

 If you have not done so as yet, go over the house at once 

 and give it a coat of paint, and do not be afraid to use 

 putty either. Broken glass should be removed for it is 

 bound to make trouble sooner or later, so it is best to 

 repair it at once and have it over with. 



Begonia Christmas Red 



The begonia which is the subject of our title page 

 this week is a novelty which bids fair to have a big hol- 

 iday sale on account of the berry-red color and sparkling 

 effect of the bloom and the compactness and floriferous- 

 ness of the plant. W. A. Manda is the^ introducer. 



