October 26, 1912 



II R T I C U L T F R E 



•>(;.■) 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



roNUDCTBD BY 



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pi.pa/iA4^ 



QuestloLs by our renders In line with any of tlie toi)ies pieseDted on this pnge will be coraially received and promptly answered 

 by Mr. Farrell. SucU communications should invariably be addressed to the olbce of HOKriCULlUKK. 



Acacias 



These plants will want the coolest house you may have 

 in order to keep them in good shape for Easter. They 

 do not like very much heat and should only be given 

 enough during the autumn and winter to keep them clear 

 of frost. They thrive when kept in a temperature of 

 about 40 degrees at night, with ten degrees higher dur- 

 ing daytime. Be very careful in watering these plants ; 

 let them show signs of dryness first, and then give enough 

 water to soak the whole ball through. Frequent and 

 slight waterings are dangerous. Give all the ventilation 

 that the outside condition of the weather will permit 

 without the in-rush of cold frosty air. The species 

 mostly grown is Acacia armata. 



Begonias 



Begonias of the Eex, half-shrubby and fibrous-rooted 

 sections will need some attention now. They should be 

 induced to take a good rest until after the holidays. This 

 can be done by withholding water untiLthey become com- 

 paratively dry at the root. Encourage an atmosphere 

 aiiy and bright but not too dry and harsh. All begonias 

 at any time resent a low temperature. They should 

 never be allowed to go mucli below 58 degrees at night. 

 Keep them well ventilated without causing any direct 

 draughts, admitting a greater or a less quantity ac- 

 cording to the outside conditions. This restful treat- 

 ment should continue for five or six weeks. 



Cannas 



When the frost has spoiled the splendor of these plants 

 they should be cut down to within about six inches of the 

 ground and dug up. The more soil you can retain 

 around the roots the better. It is also risky to place 

 these roots under a bench where they will be subjected 

 to too much drip. Beneath a carnation bench where 

 they can be protected against drip, will make an ideal 

 place for them. To prevent the roots from starting into 

 the ground, it would be well to put some boards under 

 them. Do not fail to place a good strong label at the end 

 of eacli variety ; this will save trouble later on. Make it 

 a plan to go over your canna roots often and examine 

 them. They should not be allowed to become either too 

 wet or too dry. 



Care of Summer Flowering Cattleyas 



All late summer flowering cattleyas that have had a 

 good rest will now need repotting. It is always better 

 to wait until you can see new growths appearing, with 

 renewed root action, before giving them an overhauling. 



Farrell's next notes will be on the following: 



Mr 



Quite a few growers use nothing but clear osmunda fiber 

 for cattleyas and they seem to do fine in it, but, of 

 course, every grower has his own special idea as to com- 

 post. I think half sphagnum moss and osmunda makes 

 a good mixture. Before you start potting give the 

 plants a thorough cleaning, but avoid as much as possi- 

 ble the breaking of many roots. Give them nice clean 

 pans or baskets half filled with clean broken crocks and 

 small lumps of 'charcoal intermixed which will help to 

 make the drainage more effective. You, must regulate 

 watering so as not to sour the compost. Newly potted 

 orchids will only require just enough water at the roots 

 to prevent the compost from becoming dust dry. When 

 the growths have attained a few inches in length they 

 will begin to make new roots into the compost and then 

 the watering may be gradually increased. Give them an 

 end of the house that is warm and where they can have 

 some shade until they become established when they 

 should have the full sun. Keep the temperature about 

 60 degrees at night now, and air should be freely ad- 

 mitted whenever possible. Give light fumigation often 

 for thrips. 



Peonies for Forcing 



A florist is always looking for something to grow and 

 fill in between other crops. Nowadays, all up-to-date 

 growers of cut fiowers have to aim to catch the public's 

 eye and fancy by something out of season. So where 

 you have a good plantation of peonies you have good 

 material at hand to use for this purpose. They can be 

 (lug up any time within the next two or three weeks. 

 Store them in some convenient place, where they will be 

 accessible when needed. An ideal place would be a 

 deep coldframe. They will not need any protection 

 until hard freezing sets in. You can then give them a 

 little leaves or stable -litter, to keep them from becoming 

 liard frozen. 



Wallflowers 



Plants that were set out and grown along all summer 

 and were potted within the last three- weeks should be 

 placed in the coolest house you have. They could be left 

 outside in a cold frame for sometime yet, but they will 

 do much better if transferred to a vei^y cool house. There 

 is nothing gained in the way of vigor or durability by a 

 too late sojourn in a coldframe. By giving these plants 

 a little attention they can be made a paying proposition. 

 They will not stand a .great amount of heat. Let the 

 temperature hang around 40 degrees and they will come 

 along all right. Give plenty of fresh air whenever 

 weather will permit. 



Calceolaries; Dahlias; Gardenias; Sweet Peas; 



American Beauty Roses (or Easter 

 Spiraea Japonica, 



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