S April. i907[ Garden Xofes. 221 



GARDEN XOTES. 



/. Croiiiii, 1 uspcctor, Y egetation Diseases Acts. 



The Petunia. 



Petunia is a genus of dwarf perennial plants found native in South 

 America.. Tlie present garden forms are assumed to be hybrids from 

 P. nyctaginafora, introduced into European gardens in 1823, and P. vio- 

 lacea, introduced in 1831. Originally the petunia produced single flowers 

 only, and it is due to the skill and care of the hybridist that the present 

 popular double forms were evolved. The habit of growth was also im- 

 proved by careful crossing and selection, and the hybrid \'arieties were 

 soon cultivated to the exclusion of the original species, their flowers being 

 more varied in form and colour, and of larger size and greater substance. 



Some years back the petunia was a popular plant in Victorian gardens, 

 and very fine varieties were raised, named, and distributed by some of the 

 nurserymen of that time. Fine specimen plants grown in pots were often 

 seen at the horticultural shows, and the plants were largelv used also for 

 bedding. Their popularity has decreased largely, but lately they are again 

 coming into favour, the introduction of new, large, brightly -coloured strains 

 being mainly responsible. The petunia is one of our best, 'hardiest, and 

 most easily grown border plants. The plants endure heat and drought 

 well, and continue to produce their attractive blossoms for a long period 

 during summer. The single-flowered varieties are most suitable for border 

 decoration, or for massing in schemes of colour. They are not suitable 

 for cultivating in places specially liable to dust, or where the atmosphere 

 is heavily charged with grime or smoke, their viscid leaves becoming coated 

 with such substances, which are difficult to eradicate, and which check the 

 vigour and bloom of the plants. 



Propagation -Culture. 



Petunias are usually treated as annuals, except in the case of specially 

 fine varieties. The plants are raised from seed annually, and when their 

 blooming season is over are thrown away, and a new stock raised from seed 

 for the ensuing season. Most of the double kinds are propagated from 

 cuttings, though there are strains of seed that will produce about 25 per 

 cent, of double \arieties. The seeds may be sown in autumn or s])ring. 

 Autumn sowing is preferable, except where severe frosts occur in spring. 

 The plants are strong, and will bloom early and continuously if well culti- 

 vated. The .seed is very small, and should be sown in light soil in well- 

 drained pots or boxes. The soil should be rather moist, and the surface 

 firmlv pressed and even before sowing the seeds. A very light covering of 

 soil should be applied, and the whole watered very gentl\- and lightly to 

 present the seed l)eing washed together in heaps, after which the pnts or 

 boxes should be transferred to a close frame, or a sheet of glass should 

 be placed closely over them till the seeds germinate. This co\ering should 

 be removed gradually as the plants grow, being finally remo\-ed when they 

 are \ inch in height. The plants should then be potted into single pots, or 

 transplanted into other boxes of light soil, and grown on till spring, when 

 thev should be planted out. When the seeds are raised in spring ihey 

 mav be allowed to remain in the seed-box until ready to plant out where 

 it is intended the\- should bloom. 



