October, 1922 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



207 



QUESTION BOX 





W. E. GROVES 



Snow Ball Leaves Curling 



"What is causing the leaves of so many snow 

 ')all bjih^s to cjrl up and wither this season ? 

 !Iow shoild they be treated?" — M. B., Colling- 

 wood, Ont. 



It is too late this season to do any- 

 thing to the shrubs that would be of 

 service. It would be well to prepare for 

 next year's growth by manuring the 

 ground, either digging it in or as a mulch, 

 If this is not convenient, give a dressing 

 of some fertilizers. A dormant bordeaux 

 spray early in the year would be helpful, 

 and if the plants need to make stronger 

 growth, a little pruiting might be done in 

 the spring even though this is not quite 

 the right time. It niay be better to sacri- 

 fice some flower for one year to secure a 

 healthy plant. 



Pronunciation of "Cyclamen" 



"What is the proper pronunciation of "cycla- 

 men?" — P.M. A., Glanworth, Ont. 



The proper pronunciation of "cycla- 

 men" is one of the points where there is 

 difference of opinion. Remembering the 

 way in which such words as cycas and 

 cypridepiun are pronounced it is thought 

 by some that cyclamen should have the 

 same sound. Others claim that the ac- 

 cent we give to "cylinder" is correct. 

 Like a number of other names about 

 which there is dispute — -among them 

 being gladioli and dahlia — it is difficult 

 to decide, for even localities differ as well 

 as individuals. Probably it does not 

 much matter. 



i 



Tulips in Porch Boxes 



"Can tulip bulbs be successfully planted in 

 porch boxes? I have heard they would rot but 

 have had no experience." — W.H.B., Caledonia, 

 Ont. 



The reason for tulips rotting in porch 

 boxes would be the freezing and thawing 

 to which they would be subject during 

 the winter. The boxes if easily moved 

 could be planted and kept in a cool cellar 

 uring the winter and placed outside in 

 e early spring. A better method still 

 ould be to have some boxes that would 

 t in the porch boxes. By growing the 

 lulbs in these they could be placed in the 

 porch boxes when coming into bloom. 



Double Gypsophila 



"How shall I propagate double Gypsophila 

 paniculata' I have a fine specimen and have 

 sown quantities of seed from it which seemed 

 plump and all riRht, but docs not germinate. 

 Would it be safe to tlividc the root or could it be 

 increased by cutting? Please advise proper time 

 and method." — A. T., Quecnsboro, Ont. 



Double Gypsophila is not easy to raise 

 from seed for even when seed does ger- 



Iminate a very small percentage of the 

 lants comes double. It is possible to 

 aft the young shoot"! 'v. t'v '^-^rirr.^ on 



to roots of the single variety, or if the 

 same shoots are split down a little from 

 the plant and soil placed over the split 

 part in much the same way as camat- 

 tions are layered, rooting is possible when 

 the little plants may be cut right off. 

 Try the same kind of shoot as cuttings 

 taken off with a heel, or still another way 

 might be tried by taking root cuttings. 

 If the old plant is easily divided there is 

 no easier or surer way of propagation. 



Germinating Canna Seeds 



"How should canna seeds be treated to in- 

 duce germination? Have tried several devices 

 but have failed to get results." — Mrs. M., 

 Collingwood, Ont. 



Canna seeds should not be difficult to 

 germinate, though they are a little slow. 

 If only a few are needed, the end may be 

 filed off or cut just a little in the same 

 way as is often done with moonflower. 

 This method is tedious if many seeds are 

 to be treated, and the next best way is 

 to soak the seeds for a day or two in 

 water before sowing. Sow seeds in a 

 shallow pan or pot and if possible give 

 some bottom heat. 



Violet Plants in Open 



"Would violet plants be better left in the open 

 during winter or under protection of a frame 

 with slats nailed over it?" — F.M..\., Glanworth, 

 Ont. 



A frame would be the safest place to 

 keep violets, but if in a not too exposed 

 position, they should keep outside with 

 protection similar to that given hardy 

 perennials. 



Treatment of Cyclamen Corms 



" What treatment shall I g ive cyclamen corms 

 from seed this spring? Should the corn be en- 

 tirely covered in the pot or on top of the soil? 

 When will they flower?" — F.M.A., Glanworth, 

 Ont. 



Cyclamen raised from seed this spring 

 should be kept growing. Spring is not 

 the best time for raising, and it is probable 

 that the plants will not be very large for 

 flowering this winter. Usually seed 

 should be sown in August and the plants 

 kept growing until the fall of the following 

 year, when they will flower. The plants 

 in question may flower next spring a 

 little, but this will entirely depend on 

 growth made in the meantime. When 

 potting keep the corms about half out of 

 the soil, and by the time the soil settles 

 down, the whole corm is generally un- 

 covered, Whilst this treatment is not 

 absolutely necessary, it is safe and rotting 

 of the leaf stems which sometimes occurs 

 when the corms are buried is avoided. 



Hibiscus Ranunculus 



A Hibiscus raiuuiculus was secured last spring 

 and is now in full bloom. Is this the natural 

 season for blooming? Is it hardy or will it re- 

 quire winter protection? — Mr. J. E. R., Norwood, 

 Ontario. 



Hibiscus is a lata summer blooming 

 ^hriih nn'\ when once established is hardy, 



needing little if any winter protection. 

 If the situation is cold a Uttle mulch 

 round the base of the plant would be wise, 

 and prevent winter killing. Plants should 

 be pruned in the spring in the same way 

 as is done with hydrangeas. The flowers 

 are developed on the current summer's 

 growth. 



Flowering Violet Plants 



" Would two year old violet plants that have 

 not flowered in the bed, flower in the house during 

 winter? Would they need plenty of root room or 

 would they flower more freely if pot-bound?" 

 — F.M.A., Glanworth, Ont. 



Violets are not usually satisfactory 

 house plants, but there is no harm in 

 trying. They should be potted in good 

 soil and there is no need for extra large 

 pots as long as sufficient soil is provided 

 to secure healthy growth. 



\ Potting Heliotrope 



" Does heliotrope do better in a large pot or 

 should it be root bound?" — P.M. A., Glanworth, 

 Ont. 



Very few plants flower better if pot 

 bound, but it should be understood that 

 there is a happy medium between a very 

 large pot and a size that means too much 

 root for the food content. All plants 

 that bloom will bloom better if kept 

 growing steadily and healthily and the 

 heliotrope is in this class. It is difiScult 

 to describe just what size pot to use, so 

 much depending on the size of the plant' 

 A plant, rooted during the spring, and 

 kept growing well, should winter well and 

 bloom in a five inch pot. 



English Wallflower 



Will English wall-flower grow outside in this 

 district? When should it be planted? — Mrs. S. A. 

 Niagara Falls, Ont. 



English wallflower is not hardy, except- 

 ing in very sheltered positions, and even 

 then they are not very satisfactory. 

 Being a spring flowering plant the growth 

 has to be made before the winter with 

 the result that if this is damaged by severe 

 frost the plant is not much good. They 

 may be grown in the house or cool green- 

 house. Seed should be sown in the early 

 summer, and the plants either grown on 

 in pots or in the open g^round until early 

 fall when they should be taken in and 

 kept in a fairly cool place imtil spring. 

 Plants grown in the open ground may be 

 easily lifted and potted in September. 



Radishes Running to Tops 



What makes radishes run to tops and go to 

 seed instead of making roots? — ^J. G., Brantford, 

 Ont. 



Radishes sown too thickly or in ground 

 not very congenial often act in the way 

 suggested by the question. Lumpy soil 

 for any of the small salads should be 

 avoided, and to secure quick growth the 

 soil must be mellow and well cultivated. 

 This soil attention, with thin sowing 

 ought to effectively check the top growth 

 described. 



