IllfP P,J .».5^?y(,^f"il/»'»--r-T? - - 



Apbil 11, 1907. 



The Weekly Florists^ Review* 



1599 



Easter Display in One of the Houses of John R. Hellenthal, Columbus, O. 



is the best place for them until the end 

 of June. After that date a frame is 

 much to be preferred. In such frames 

 it is only necessary to use sash during 

 rains. Lath shading while the sun is 

 out, and full exposure to the night dews, 

 produces the finest and stockiest plants. 



Cannas. 



If started when recommended, cannas 

 should have made suflScient growth to 

 be placed in pots. If from any pressure 

 of other work the roots are still under 

 the benches, start them without delay 

 and you will get excellent plants within 

 five or six weeks. Cannas make rapid 

 growth and when the pots are fairly 

 well filled with roots they should be re- 

 moved to a cooler and more airy house. 

 Oive them sufficient space to grow in and 

 don't forget that green aphis has a 

 partiality for them. A weekly fumiga- 

 tion will keep them clean, 



Caladium esculentum may still be 

 started from dormant bulbs and, as it 

 makes rapid growth, it should not be 

 kept too long in a warm house. 



Nephrolepis. 



The various forms of nephrolepis, such 

 as Bostoniensis, Scottii, Barrowsii, Ele- 

 gantissima, Whitmani, with others still 

 to come, such as the English todeaoides, 

 always prove the best of sellers among 

 commercial ferns. It is now time to 

 consider the increasing of stock for an- 

 other year. If you have a bench vacated 

 by Easter stock in which you can place 

 four inches of loam in which some sand 

 and leaf-mold is mixed, it will prove an 

 ideal place to put in a quantity of young 

 runner plants, which you will no doubt 

 be able to find hanging from old stock. 

 Put some shade on the glass, but do not 

 make it heavy yet. In front of the 

 bench hang up a canvas to keep sun and 

 air away from the little plants. Spray 



them over once a day in dull weather 

 and more frequently when it is bright. 

 They will soon start to grow and make 

 excellent plants for next winter. 



Q)Idframes. 



Night frosts continue, but there are 

 many plants which can now be trans- 

 ferred to frames where the sashes are 

 tight and mats can be used on cool 

 nights. The earlier bedding geraniums 

 will now do well in these. Carnations 

 will be much better in them, as will vio- 

 let stock in flats. Such annuals as ver- 

 benas, asters, stocks, dianthus, Drum- 

 mond's phlox and nemesias will also do 

 well in these frames. Salvia splendens, 

 nicotianas and others of a more tender 

 nature will still be better where they can 

 have a little fire heat at night. 



For vegetable plants, such as cabbage, 

 cauliflower, lettuce and tomato, the 

 frames are preferable to the greenhouses. 

 A few inches of warm manure tramped 

 firmly and coated with fine cinders will 

 provide nice, comfortable quarters for 

 any of the plants named. 



Short Reminders. 



Bedding geraniums are growing fast 

 and will need additional space from time 

 to time. If any are getting potbound 

 give them a shift. If you cannot do 

 that, feed a little to keep them a good 

 color. 



Lily of the valley will now start well 

 in close frames and the spikes and foli- 

 age will be heavier in texture than when 

 grown in dark, hot cases. Keep close 

 until the shoots are well drawn up; then 

 give more light and air. 



Hydrangeas kept over winter are be- 

 coming excited by the warm days. Don't 

 rush these outdoors unless you have 

 means for covering them. They won't 

 stand much frost at their present deli- 

 cate stage. Keep them, however, as 



light and cool as possible to prevent 

 spindly shoots, which are so easily 

 broken. 



Tuberoses can be started in flats con- 

 taining a little moss and sand. Place 

 quite close together and later pot oflE into 

 4-inch or 5-inch pots. It is rather early 

 yet to plant any of these outdoors. 



See that petunias, lobelias, begonias 

 and other seedlings are potted off before 

 they crowd and spoil each other. Keep 

 pricking off other annuals into flats as 

 time permits. 



For a late batch you can still sow 

 Salvia splendens, zinnias and other rapid 

 growing tender annuals. 



Dahlias must not be kept in a too 

 warm house after potting or they soon 

 become drawn and weak. Cuttings 

 rubbed off with a heel will root freely 

 in sand and make splendid plants by the 

 end of May. 



The sashes before this should be re- 

 moved from daisies, pansies, violas, au- 

 briotias, forget-me-nots and other spring 

 flowering bedding plants. All of these 

 are better planted out as soon as pos- 

 sible. Give them an abundant supply 

 of water. 



Lawns should now be raked, moss 

 scratched out and new seed scattered on 

 bare spots, then a thorough rolling given. 

 A dressing of sheep manure or some 

 chemical fertilizer, if not already ap- 

 pliod, can still be given. 



l^runing of hardy roses should now 

 be completed without delay. Planting 

 should also be finished this month. 



Get a good batch of chrysanthemum 

 cuttings in now for large blooms. It is 

 time they were in, but nice flowers can 

 be had from cuttings inserted up to 

 June 1. 



Have you a good stock of violet run- 

 ners in flats? If not, lose no time in 

 getting them in. They are better planted 

 out early in May, with the carnations. 



