42 GARDENING DIFFICULTIES SOLVED 



potting and housing in the same way that is suitable for Chrysanthe- 

 mums. But, of course, it is not advisable to ram down the compost 

 too firmly. Some feeding will be necessary when the flower stems 

 commence to run up. Leave space for top dressing. You were 

 rather late in potting ; the final potting should be done in June. It 

 is a mistake to stop the shoots at the time of potting. 



Winter Carnations 



Q. How should Perpetual Flowering Carnations be grown so as 

 to provide flowers from October until April ? J. J., Bristol. 



A. Briefly, this is the method of treatment. Cuttings are inserted 

 in January as already described. They will be rooted in 6 weeks. 

 They are then potted in small pots, turfy soil with plenty of sand 

 intermixed, being used. It is wise to give little or no air for a week 

 afterwards, so as to help the plants to root quickly in the fresh soil. 

 The plants are kept in the greenhouse until early May. They are 

 then put out of doors, or else in a cold frame ; the latter is pre- 

 ferable, because heavy rains can be kept off. They need all the 

 fresh air possible. The pots are plunged to the rims in ashes, 

 whether the plants are out of doors or in a frame. They must be 

 given larger pots as they need it, or in other words as soon as well 

 rooted. It is usual to repot in April, and again finally in June, 

 flower- pots of 6 or 7 inches diameter being used on the latter occa- 

 sion. Use a soil mixture of turfy soil 2 parts, and old manure, such 

 as that from a mushroom bed, 1 part. Failing this, use 1 part soot and 

 inch bones, 3 parts turfy soil. In September the plants are 

 brought into the greenhouse and will begin to bloom in October. 

 Probably no fire heat will be necessary at first to maintain a night 

 temperature of 45 to 50. The question of "stopping" or pinching 

 out the points of the young shoots is an important matter : the 

 object is to make the plants bushy. The first stopping becomes 

 necessary in April when the plants are potted for the second time. 

 The top of the little plant is pinched out, only some five joints being 

 left. Several shoots will develop. These must also be stopped 

 when about 3 inches long. Stopping the shoots should cease at 

 the end of July. It is most important to keep the 'soil moist through- 

 out the summer : this is accomplished by watering thoroughly where 

 the soil appears to be getting dry. During the winter the plants 

 need far less water than in summer, but the soil must still be kept 

 moist ; an occasional sprinkling of fertiliser should be given, say 

 every three weeks. 



