TIIE GAR I) E N M A G A Z I N E 
May, 19 17 
22(i 
Decorative type 
REPRESENTATIVE FLOWERS OF POPULAR TYPES OF THE DAHLIA 
Cactus type Cactus type 
Collarette type 
purposes, they outclass the other members of 
the family. And, although of comparatively 
recent introduction, have achieved a decided 
popularity. These Primulinus Hybrids, 
which are the results of blending the species of 
Gladiolus primulinus (yellow) with the older 
types, flower nine weeks after planting, and 
they have the further advantage that as each 
plant throws up a succession of spikes, the 
flowering season is continued over a period 
of several weeks. Planted in combination 
with the yellow California Poppy as a ground 
work, a harmonious study in yellow is assured. 
As regards the depth of planting Gladiolus, it 
should be remembered that, apart from all 
other considerations, deep planting has the 
practical advantage of obviating the neces- 
sity of staking. 
THE DAHLIA 
Plant Dahlias in May, or June, or July? 
Why should we defer planting if 
it can be done in May, and will 
not May give better results than 
late June? The time 
to plant Dahlias is a 
much debated question 
among the 
experts 
even. 
There are 
probably 
many fac- 
tors that 
control the 
a n swer. 
The mat- 
ter of loca- 
tion is a 
big factor. 
For i n - 
stance, it is 
beyond 
quest ion 
that in some sections it makes not 
the slightest difference whether the 
roots are set out in early May or 
early July. Where early May plant- 
ing can be done, the plants begin to flower 
about the middle of July, and under dis- 
budding continue blooming until frost, yet 
in a neighboring district the best results 
will accrue from planting as late as it is possi- 
ble to keep the plants out of the ground. 
Many good Dahlia enthusiasts devote part 
of the Fourth of July to the ceremonial setting 
out of Dahlia roots. W hy? Because in some 
plants are then cut back hard; that is to say, 
clear to the bottom pair of leaves so that the 
subsequent development of the plant is from 
soft, young growth, made from the base. 
Fresh succulent growth is essential for the pro- 
duction of Dahlia flowers. If you must plant 
your Dahlia roots in May (and it is very 
hard not to do so) if you have not had success 
with them of late years try the new practice 
this year of cutting them back during the 
early part of July. 
Green plants or dormant roots? Again a 
matter of opinion. Many experienced growers 
say that there is no advantage one way or the 
other, while others claim that the green 
plant — that is a plant that is rooted from a 
cutting taken in heat in spring — will give 
exhibition quality flowers. The Dahlia has 
long been a favorite garden plant in England. 
Indeed it has been largely developed to its 
present perfection in that country, and there 
nothing but green plants are used 
when flowers are wanted. 
My own experience during the past 
few seasons in Pennsylvania has led 
me to favor green plants, but this 
statement needs qualifying to the ex- 
tent of saying that as 
far as the ultimate 
quality of the flower is 
concerned the results 
are the same. The cut- 
ting back system has 
one disadvantage, that 
is the inclination of 
some plants to throw 
out numerous suckers 
from the old root after 
the original top has 
been cut back. This, of course, is 
the result of stimulating into 
growth the latent eyes which under 
normal conditions would have re- 
mained practically dormant, but 
which the check of cutting back 
stimulates into action. I hese 
must be watched for and removed, cutting 
them well below the soil level. 1 his is im- 
portant in order to get air and light freely 
circulating around the growing stems. 
Perfect flowers — flowers which will he 
thrown well above the foliage, which can be 
seen — means disbudding regularly, a practice 
which is necessary with all the Cactus, large 
double Show and Decorative types of the 
Dahlia. Disbudding is not necessary with the 
sections the wood from early growth becomes 
so hard that it cannot continue the succulent 
development that is essential for the pro- 
duction of good flowers. In other words, in 
certain localities late planting tides the 
plant over the early August drought so 
that it continues a normal, succulent growth 
later, whereas by early planting under such 
conditions, the early August drought produces 
a fatal hardening of the tissues. It matters 
not how thoroughly the ground is cultivated, 
nor how frequently it is done, Dahlia plants 
stop growing and the mam stalk becomes too 
hard in sections where the late July and Au- 
gust drought is accompanied bv excessive 
heat. Under such circumstances flower de- 
velopment is made impossible unless the 
This shows how one individual plant of the modern early 
flowering Chrysanthemum will develop under good cul- 
tivation. A veritable bouquet 
