February 



1914 



HORTICULTUBE 



181 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



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

 by Mr. Farrell. Such commanlcatloDs should Inyarlably be addressed to the office of HORTICDLTUKE. 



Abutilons 



Now that we have plenty ol bottom heat the spare 

 room in the propagating sand should be utilized to the 

 utmost in the rooting of cuttings of indispensable 

 stock. Tliis includes abutilons, a class of plants alto- 

 gether too sparingly represented in florists' stock for 

 their current local trade. There is hardly any purpose 

 for which some one variety of abutilon could not be 

 used. The semi-matured new growths root readily at 

 this time of year and the treatment of abutilons in gen- 

 eral differs but little from that of geraniums. Wlien 

 they are rooted they can be potted into small pots, 

 using a compost of three parts fibrous soil to one of 

 manure and if any leaf mold is handy use some of it. 

 They should have a night temperature of about 5J 

 degrees and from 65 to 70 degi'ees on sunny days. All 

 are good and easily grown subjects for the greenhouse 

 and bedding. 



Calceolarias 



Calceolarias should now be in their flowering pots. 

 Use a rather light loam, not chopped or sifted too fine, 

 with a fourth or fifth of thoroughly rotted manure. If 

 the soil is heavy add sand to the manure. Some will be 

 starting to push their flower spikes and these are 

 better to be pinched which causes the plants to break 

 freely and make much nicer flower heads. Short of 

 actual freezing, the plants can hardly be grown too 

 cool. Forty degrees at night is far better than 50 

 degrees, and in the lower temperatures the green aphis 

 is far less troublesome. Wliile a little winter sun will 

 not harm, we prefer to grow them with a light shade 

 even at tins season. On clear morning we give a light 

 spraying over. Those of the rugosa section are useful 

 at Memorial Day. These should now have their last 

 pinching and can go in their flowering pots. At no time 

 must they be allowed to wilt, and, like the cineraria, 

 they must never be overwatered. Avoid extremes botli 

 ways. Give mild fumigation every week. 



Care of Mignonette 



Now the days are beginning to lengthen out, the beds 

 will take more water and they should have liquid 

 manure which should, however, be employed sparingly, 

 both as to strength and frequency of application; a 

 warning wortli heeding. To make these plants bloom 

 freely from now^ou be careful not to have the roots in 

 too wet or dry condition and guard against all ex- 

 tremes in temperature. Keep the night temperature 

 as near 45 degrees as possible with about 10 to 15 

 degrees higher with sunshine. If the plants are in a 

 vigorous condition they should have a top dressing of 

 cow manure one part and new soil two parts, but don't 

 be too generous with this mulch. A half-inch at a time, 

 and then every now and then as they need it will be 

 better than to indulge in one heavy application. Give 



daily admission of air to harden the foliage, so it will 

 stand after cutting. Keep them disbudded right along 

 which will give better spikes and better stems to cut 

 from, which will bring better prices. 



Pelargoniums 



See that these plants are kept growing from this out. 

 Give them a sunny house, yet one where a low night 

 temperature of 45 degrees or so is maintained. Feed 

 liberally with liquid manure. An alternate top-dress- 

 ing of Clay's or some other equally highly concen- 

 trated fertilizer will also assist in making the wood firm 

 and cause the plants to flower freely. Where they are 

 very much pot-bound they should be repotted in a com- 

 post containing two-thirds fibrous loam, one-third dry 

 cow manure, also a dash each of sand and fine bone. 

 Drain the pots well and pot firmly, leaving good margin 

 for water. Green aphis is the arch enemy of the show 

 pelargonium and must. never be allowed even to show 

 itself. We often see batches of these beautiful plants 

 simply alive with aphis. The growers then give them 

 a heavy smoking, which is likely to remove the pests 

 and flowers at the same time. Fumigate often in light 

 doses. Keep the plants spread out and as light as pos- 

 sible, and on warm days give them a syringing. If they 

 are treated thus, you will get nice, stocky plants which 

 will be creditable to you and satisfactory to your 

 customers. 



Sowing Asters 



Now is a good time to sow some of the early asters. 

 There are quite a few florists who have vacant bench 

 room to fill up with something. Probably the earliest 

 of all asters is Early Wonder now obtainable in two 

 colors, pink and white. This comes in at least a week 

 ahead of Queen of the Market, has larger flowers and par- 

 takes more of the character of the Comet section. Queen 

 of the Market is tlie standard early variety to grow. 

 It gives a tremendous crop of flowers not so long- 

 stemmed as the later sorts, but valuable for all classes 

 of design work. The Hohenzollerns are also fine early 

 asters, with big flowers, and are grand for cutting. The 

 seed should be sown now in flats. Cover lightly and 

 place in a temperature of 50 to 55 degrees at night. 

 Keep the little plants, when they appear, close to the 

 glass to make them sturdy. In benching asters, remem- 

 ber that they appreciate a nice and rich soil — one such 

 as chrysanthemums could thrive in. As a rule white 

 asters have first call, pink, light blue and dark blue 

 following in order of popularity. 



Seeds to Sow 



Do not fail to make sowings of verbenas, pettmias, 

 torenJas, snapdragons, grevilleas, vincas, myosotis, 

 stocks, mignonette, oelosias, bedding begonias, salvias, 

 pentstemon, Musa eiisette, lantamas, dianthus, dimor- 

 photheea, etc. Start these seeds in a warm house, 

 where they will germinate without any trouble. 



Mr. Farrell's next notes will be on the following: Alternantheras; Care of Palms; Flowering Shrubs for Easter: Rambler Roses; 



Sweet Peas : Starting Coreopsis. 



