THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



January, uji.s 



Comnvercial Fertilizers For Flovrers 



F. E. Buck, B.S.A., Experimental Farm, Ottawa 



MV vifw witli reg^ard to commercial 

 ft-rtilizers and their use in con- 

 nection with the general cultiva- 

 tion of flowers, based partly on actual 

 experience and partly on observation, is 

 as follows : 



They are useful in connection with 

 flower culture, and when used with de- 

 finite calculation may be applied as a pro- 

 fitable investment as well. 



They are not as necessary in the cul- 

 ture of flowers generally grown in small 

 gardens, as crops grown for their edible 

 parts, like fruit and vegetables. 



They should not, as a rule, enter into 

 any scheme for growing garden flowers 

 successfully, and certainly should not be 

 relied on to remedy the mistakes of a 

 poor initial treatment of the soil or poor 

 cultural methods. As auxiliaries, how 

 ever, to good soil preparation, and good 

 culture, they may be confidently relied 

 on to produce certain definite results. 



In the case of permanent plants, like 

 roses, certain of the ornamental shrubs 

 and occasionally herbaceous plants it is 

 frequently impossible to apply enough 

 food by means of barnyard manure, 

 worked in around the roots, to keep the 

 plants growing as we desire. In such 

 cases by supplementing with a small 

 quantity of bonemeal, or a complete fer- 

 tilizer perhaps, the best of results will 

 often result. Again in the case of house 

 plants, a little commercial fertilizer, es- 

 pecially that sold in tabloid form if of a 

 reliable brand, is much more useful and 

 likely to be used by the householder, 

 than other fertilizers. Liquid manure 

 might be better, buf is a less practicable 

 proposition for the average person grow- 

 ing plants. Then again, there is the un- 

 questioned usefulness and, in addition, 

 the profitable side of the application of 



commercial fertilizers to commercially 

 grown greenhouse crops, such as the 

 rose and chrysanthemum. 



The reason commercial fertilizers are 

 not as necessary in the culture of flowers 

 as in the culture of certain crops grown 

 for their edible parts is because of the 

 fact that unless the soil is naturally rich, 

 or is well prepared in order to make it 

 rich at the start, the plant will be incap- 

 able of producing that fine healthy 

 growth which is the foundation for a crop 

 of fine flowers. Moreover, it will pro- 

 bably suffer from insects and other 

 troubles, and the application of commer- 

 cial fertilizers will increase these troubles 

 more frequently than not. The physical 

 condition of the soil determines success 

 more with flowering plants than with 

 most crops. It has been proved that the 

 addition of extra plant food in the form 

 of commercial fertilizers to certain plants 

 is practically wasted on them. With 

 most herbaceous plants the number of 

 flowers they will produce is of secondary 

 importance and is not determined by 

 feeding, while size is more often deter- 

 mined by selection and disbudding. To 

 a few varieties of flowers these state- 

 ments will not apply, but to most they 

 do apply, and hence commercial fertil- 

 izers cannot be reckoned an important 

 factor in the successful growing of flow- 

 ering plants. 



While commercial fertilizers have 

 value in the case of some special crops 

 of flowering plants, they are not as a rule 

 to be recommended for such plants in 

 general ; the reason being that they can- 

 not compete with barnyard manure in 

 regard to the physical improvement of 

 the soil upon which the general size and 

 health of the plant depends, and, more- 

 over, when plants are in the possession 



of normally good conditions there is sel- 

 dom reason for feeding them on expen- 

 sive foods as there would be with, say, 

 a tomato or potato crop. Yet, on the 

 other hand it must be kept in mind that 

 even with flowering plants of garden 

 tyjje, commercial fertilizers are some- 

 times particularly useful. A case in 

 proof occurred here only last year. A 

 certain piece of land which had received 

 some green manure the autumn previous 

 and was in good condition was planted 

 to gladioli. Just before they were di!«- 

 to blossom it became apparent that ih. 

 soil was deficient in available nitrogen 

 salts. Some nitrate of soda was obtain- 

 ed, dissolved in water, and the crop was 

 given two applications of the solution. 

 The leaves immediately changed tint and 

 made that healthy growth which was re- 

 sponsible for the subsequent crop of 

 flowers. Cases like this suggest that 

 commercial fertilizers should be kept on 

 hand and used with judgment when nre^ 



A distant view of Mr. Moore's window conservatory is shown on the left. 

 improve* the appearance of the residence. 



Note that it rather 



Orchid Notes 



W. J. Jonet, Brampton, Ont. 



Cattleya Labiata, having finished flow- 

 ering, should be given all the light and 

 sun possible during the next two months 

 so as to ensure a thorough ripening. 

 Great care should be exercised is water- 

 ing, as their treatment during their rest- 

 ing sea.son depends entirely on their 

 prospect for a good crop next season. 



Cypripediums are making a fine show, 

 and will continue to do so for some time. 

 This is one of the finest winter flowering 

 orchids, and one that is becoming more 

 popular every day. This is owing to its 

 usefulness for cutting, its long lasting 

 qualities, and its almost unlimited num- 

 ber of varieties, especially the "Insigne" 

 the "Leeanum" tyjje, of which "Insig- 

 ne" Sanderae still remains supreme. 



Cypripediums are useful as a plant for 

 basket or table decoration, as they will 

 last two or three weeks in bloom. They 

 should be kept fairly moist all the year. 



Cattleya Trianae are giving a good 

 showing of bloom, and will continue to 

 do so for the next two months. These 

 should Ix^ given all the light possible, a 

 nice genial atmosphere, rather more 

 water than for other Cattleyas, and 

 plenty of ventilation whenever the wea- 

 ther is favorable for such, without caus- 

 ing draught. 



The Cattleya is the most popular orchid 

 commercially, but the spray orchid, such 

 as the Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, Odonto- 

 glossum, etc., are beginning to find 

 favor with the public, as shown by the 

 fact that the demand for them is becom- 

 ing greater year by year. 



This is a good time to overhaul all 

 orchids for scale and other insects. Give 

 their surroundings, also, a good 

 cleaning. 



