426 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



Clarkson. '" Some use straw and others heavier crop. There are a few hardy 

 swale hay, but I consider manure is the best varieties which do well in this section with- 

 because it em-ichcs the ,c:roun(l and gives a out mulching." 



CARE OF PLANTS WHILE DORMANT 



WAI. HUNT, O. A. C, GUELPll. 



^J 1 K tender pot hydrangeas such as 

 Otaksa, Thomas Hogg, and similar 

 varieties of these lovely summer decorative 

 plants, should have their growth well 

 ripened and hardened before the plants are 

 consigned permanentl\- to cool winter quar- 

 ters in the cellar or basement. To secure 

 this condition the plants should be left out 

 of doors as late in the season as possible. It 

 is not well, however, to expose the plants to 

 more than five or six degrees of frost. 



The plants can often be left under the 

 shelter of a veranda or open shed until late 

 in the season, so as to ensure a thorough 

 ripening and a perfectly dormant condition. 

 Less water can also be given them than in 

 the summer, but at no time, either now or 

 during the winter, should the soil be allowed 

 to become very dry. ]\Ian\-. of these and 

 similar plants are often materially injured, 

 if not killed outright, by drying them off too 

 severely and for too long a time in winter. 

 They should be kept in a dormant condition 

 in a temperature of about 40 degrees until 

 March or early in April. At that time the 

 plants should be transferred to pots or tubs 

 two or three sizes larger than the ones in 

 which they have been. 



Hydrangeas like a rich loamy compost to 

 grow in, and plenty of water when growing 

 and flowering in summer. They require 

 very little, if any,> pruning. Removing a 

 few of the most prominent shoots so as to 

 secure a shapely plant is usually all that is 

 necessary. Prune, if necessary, in March 

 or April, when repotting them. 



A short period of dormancy, or semi- 

 dormancy, is necessary for fuchsias and pot 



roses if they have been kept growing all 

 summer. About the same treatment during 

 the resting period should be given them as 

 recommended for pot hydrangeas. A fairly 

 moist cellar is preferable for all of these 

 plants rather than a dry furnace-heated at- 

 mosphere. 



To keep oleanders successfully a light, 

 fairly warm room, cellar, or basement is 

 best. Thev do not come out in the best con- 



Geranium Cut Back 



dition if placed in a dark cold cellar or in a 

 dry over-heated place. Oleanders are 

 naturally moisture-loving plants. A tem- 

 perature of from 45 to 50 and a moist at- 

 mosphere suits them in winter splendidly. 

 It is advisable to sponge the leaves a few 

 times during the winter with water, or soap 

 and water. 



