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JO 



The Weekly Rorists^ Review* 



August 20, 1907. 





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SEASONABLE 



SUGGESTIONS 



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Propagation of Geraniums. 



The closing days of August are a rc- 

 uiindor tluit wo must take in liand the 

 propagation of an ample stock of this 

 most popular of ail bedding -^ilants. We 

 hope a sufficient number of plants were 

 retained at bedding-out time and these 

 should now provide quantities of excel- 

 lent cuttings. Jf these were not given 

 very rich 'soil to grow in, it is all the 

 better, as the wood will be harder and 

 shorter jointed, being thus less liable 

 to damping off. Cuttings produced on 

 plants grown under glass propagate 

 more readily than the stronger and more 

 sappy ones from outdoors; still, with 

 careful handling, the grower should not 

 lose over ten per cent of his outdoor 

 cuttings. Geraniums will root readily 

 and with a smaller possibility of loss a 

 month hence, but if large quantities are 

 needed the present is none too early to 

 start the work of propagation. 



In making the cuttings the general 

 practice is to cut below a leaf joint. 

 This is not necessary, but such cuttings 

 root more speedily. Trim off all but the 

 very smallest leaves on top of the shoots. 

 If they are soft and full of sap, let them 

 lie a few hours before putting them in 

 the pots or flats. A good many growers 

 put their cuttings in the regular propa- 

 gating bench, and often with disappoint- 

 ing results. Treatraent which will suit 

 coleus or alternantheras will soon ruin 

 geraniums. The former root quickly in 

 a warm, moist bed if kept shaded. The 

 latter need one good watering after be- 

 ing put in and exposure to full sunlight. 

 Two methods are open to growers. The 

 one usually adopted is to place the cut- 

 tings in light, sandy soil in 2-inch pots 

 and stand these pot to pot in a cool, 

 sunny house or coldframe. The other, 

 which can be followed where bench or 

 frame space is more limited, is to plant 

 moderately thickly in well drained flats 

 of sharp sand three inches deep. The 

 cuttings can be left in the latter until 

 the mum pressure wanes and allows them 

 bench space after potting off. 



Whichever plan is adopted, it should 

 be borne in mind that one good soaking 

 is needed at the start and. following that, 

 just enough water to prevent shriveling 

 until the cuttings are rooted. Shade 

 is not required. There will be less damp- 

 ing off if cuttings are given full sun- 

 shine all the time. In intensely hot 

 weather, such as we not infrequently ex- 

 perience in September, a gentle spraying 

 overhead about noon will be beneficial 

 and a very light shade may be given 

 them. Cuttings should not, however, be 

 in damp condition at night. Admit air 

 freely all the time. Do not propagate 

 from sickly plants and be sure to keep 

 your stock true to name. Discard varie- 

 ties which are out of date. It will pay 

 you to buy^ plants now of the best bed- 

 ders. You can work up considerable 

 stock from these ere another summer, 

 perhaps not so speedily as some gera- 

 nium experts claim to do, but fast enough 

 to pay you* handsomely. 



If your stock is rather low in some 

 special varieties, pot up the old plants 

 after taking what cuttings you can get. 

 You can secure abundant acUlitional stock 

 from these later in the season. Boxes 

 or benches can be utilized for these 

 plants. If you can spare the latter they 

 will give you more cuttings, but as a 

 rule these are needed for other crops. 



Plants you may be growing for winter 

 V)looming should receive their final shift 

 not later than the middle of September. 

 Six-inch pots will grow fine geraniums 

 for Christmas trade, for which purpose, 

 of course, bright colors take the best. 

 If these plants are being grown outdoors. 



get them under cover ere the heavy fall 

 rains start. Much moisture will speedily 

 cause spotting of the^ foliage, as will 

 also too much animal manure in the soil. 

 Ram the soil in the pots firmly and use 

 bone and soot in preference to rotten 

 manure. The latter induces rank growth; 

 the former promotes floriferousness. It 

 is eagy to apply occasional liquid stimu- 

 lants or chemical surface dressings, to 

 put the necessary vigor in the plants. 

 The choice French and English zonal 

 geraniums need a little shade in the hot 

 months and should have it later when 

 flowering. If spider appears, use a fine 

 spray nozzle under the foliage. 



German Irit. 



Early in September is a good time to 

 divide and replant German iris. It is 

 true they will grow and bloom for years 

 undisturbed, but if taken up every other 

 year i;hey will give you far more satis- 

 factory results. Ground which has been 

 liberally manured and deeply shaded, 

 with good drainage, will grow magnificent 

 iris. The flowers of this popular perennial 

 prove useful at Memorial day in early 



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Frond of Nephrolepis Superbiiiima. 



