THE GARDENERS’ MAGAZINE. 
January 18, 1913 
:)0 
WORK FOR 
THE ORCHID HOUSES. 
DECIDUOUS DBNDROBIUMS.—The early- 
flowering plaaits, both of species and hybrids 
belonging to the deciduous section of den- 
drobiums, will nciw be pushing their flower 
buds from the sides of the matured pseudo¬ 
bulbs. In private gardeois, where a eucc^ 
sion of flowers is required through the win¬ 
ter aind spring monlths, these plants are 
exceedingly useful, aud by taking a little 
care in selection, they may be bloomed in 
batches, and a continuous supply of flowers 
dbtained. It is a great pity these dendro- 
biiuns are not so exitensively grown, as was 
the case a few years ago. It generally fol¬ 
lows, however, that where plants oease to be 
fashionable, the opportunity is given for 
procuring the most useful kinds for a modest 
outlay; and where facilities are available 
for cultivation, it is desirable to procure 
a varied collection of the better kinds now 
the maTk^ is favourable for the purpose. 
FLOWERING OF DENDROBIUMS.—In 
taking plants from their resting conditions, 
it is advisable to avoid any sudden excite¬ 
ment in the matter' of temperature and 
treatment. It is desirable to select for start¬ 
ing into growth first those plants that have 
the flower buds well advanced. If possible, 
arrange the plants that are showing their 
flower buds separately for the first batch, 
have them removed by de^ees into the 
warmest house, and place tiiem in- a posi¬ 
tion where they may obtain the full benefit 
of the available light. Supply water to the 
roots sparingly until the flowers commence 
to expand, and then more liberal treatment 
may oe given. Care should be observed to 
see.that the water is a few degrees warmer 
than the temperature of the house. 
REPOTTING BENDROBIUMS.—Any re¬ 
potting necessary may be attended to as 
the plants pass out of bloom. The advancing 
young gro^h emits new roots early, and to 
avoid injury to these potting should be at¬ 
tended ^ at an early period. Deciduous 
dendrobiums do not require a large bulk of 
potting material abont their roots. Good 
fibrous peat and chopped sphagnum moss, 
with sufftoient sand and 'broken charcoal 
intermixed, forms an excellent compost. 
Tfiis should be pressed firmly about 
the roots. Neat stakes to secure the 
pseudo-bulbs in position should be fixed 
where necessary and desirable. In the 
early stages of growth watering must be 
carefully done; considerable advantage will 
be found from syrinring or spraying over¬ 
head in brig'ht weather.—H. J. Chapman, 
Oafcwood Gardens. 
STOVE PLANTS. 
EUPHORBIA FULGBNS (JACQUINI.E- 
FLORA).—This beautiful winter-flowering 
subject, now at its best, may -be kept so 
for some time in a temperature of about 60 
degrees, the atmiosphere fairly dry, and the 
plants kept rather dry at the root. Plants 
from which the flowers have ibeen cut should 
be examined weekly for the purpose of as¬ 
certaining the conditdon t>f the soil with re¬ 
spect to moisture, applying just sufficient 
water to prevent the Aems shrivelling. This 
win ensure their becoming well matured and 
furnishing cuttings that root fairly easy 
from the early part of March. 
POINSETTTA PULCHBRRIMA.—As the 
bracts of the poinsettias are cut the plants 
may be assisted in the ripening process by 
gradually reducing the supply of water at 
the roots, until they have lo^ their leaves. 
They may be stored in a dry position in 
a house in which a temperature of not less 
than 55 degrees is maintained. 
SEED SOWING Stove plants grown for 
their flowers, ’vhich may be raised from 
THE WEEK. 
seeds sown now include Amaryllis (Hippeas- 
strums), Exacum macranthem, gloxinias and 
streplbocorpus. Among fine foliage plants 
that can be readily raised from seeds at 
this season are Asparagus Sprengeri, A. plu- 
mosus, A. decumbens, and others, igrevilleas, 
and Rex begonias. A mixture of loam, two 
parts leaf-mould one part, -and ]^ait one 
part, with sufficient ea-nd to keep the whole 
open, will be suitable for filling the seed 
pans for all the kinds. The pans or pots 
should be dean, well crocked, and filled to 
within half an inch of the top with the 
compost. Water well before sowing the seed, 
which should be scattered evenly over the 
surface, and just covered with finely sifted 
soil. They may be plunged in the propa¬ 
gating pit, or in the hotbed material within 
the cucumber pd!t, covering with sheets of 
glass, and shading until the seedlings appear. 
PROPAGAITON BY CUTTINGS.—As 
shortly the propagating pit will be con- 
ertantly filled it is advisable to strike as 
early as possible good batches of cuttings of 
such useful .and easily-rooted plants as Pani- 
oum variegatum, selaginell'afi, and fittonias. 
Coleus will be found to root readily. 
SAINTPAULIA IONA.NTH A.^Propaga¬ 
tion of this beautiful and useful little plant 
is readily effected by means 'of leaf cuttings. 
Plants raised from leaves inserted at this 
season will produce a fine display during the 
summer months, given fair treatment. 
Leaves should ibe broken, not out, from the 
plant, with an Inch or so of the petiole, and 
inserted in any light, open place within the 
stove in a little sandy soil. By occasional 
light damping (they will, in a short time not 
only have bSjome rooted, but nice little 
plant® will have been formed. Carefully 
pot them, using ismall 60’s and a sandy com¬ 
post, and reduce to a single crown. A place 
near the glass will suit them best, and, as 
with most newly-potted plants, great care 
should be exercised in the use of the water¬ 
ing-pot. Few plants will succeed if once 
over-watered.—^H. Prime, Hatfield House 
Gardens. 
FRUITS UNDER GLASS. 
PINES.—The few private growers who 
still cultivate these fruits successfully do not 
look to these calendars for instructions, so 
only a few hints are necessary as to -thedr 
cultivation. The (fiist batch of Queens should 
now be started to obtain ripe fruits in May 
and June with a bottom heat of 80 to 85 de¬ 
grees. No advantage is gained by exceeding 
the latter fip;ure, but the delicate roots may 
easily be injured. Those w’ho have the beds 
heated with hot-water pipes have nothing 
to fear, as the temperature is easily regu¬ 
lated, but the uncertainty of fresh tan or 
leaves is very different, and great care and 
attention is (necessary to maintain as steady 
a heat as possible. The beginner will see 
from these few remarks that success or 
failure turns upon a brisik, steady bottom- 
heat being mamtained. Divest the plants 
when removed from the resting bed of a few 
of the short bottom leaves, and loosen the 
surface soil, and top-dress with good loam 
from the surface, which cannot well be 
made too firm round the collar. 
EARLY VINES in pots and borders will 
now be found in various stages of growth, 
and the different operations must be attended 
to at the proper time. Disbudding and 
tying down will soon require daily atten¬ 
tion, and later each shoot must be pinched 
at the second or third leaf beyond the bunch 
according to space. Syiipging should be 
discontinued when jaJL^Jbtids have started, 
and the walls, borders lightly 
damped about th^ tim^A ^ay. The tP,m- 
perature of hcnisw that now ;nay 
range from 45 to 48 degrees, when in ti^ 
growth 58 to 60 degrees at night or a littJ* 
higher when mild, 70 to 75 degrees by. dat 
and 80 degrees after (being shut up. A littb 
air shouldf be aidm.itted at all tim^, or at 
least should be admitted on all ^vourahle 
occasdons. 
LATE VINERIES.—^If all the grapes hare 
not been cut, no further time should W 
lost din cutting the bunches with a piece of 
lateral, and placing them in the grape room 
with the end of the latter in water; other¬ 
wise there is danger of the vines bleeding 
later yhen pruned. Dress the wounds with 
styptic before the vines receive any water, 
and keep the houses dry and cool after dean^ 
sing until the end of February or March. 
POT FRUITS.—Stone fruits of all kinds 
do well in pots when judiciously managed, 
and by forcing a score or two of the earliest 
sorts, the cloring of permanent hous^ maj 
be deferred. January is a good time to 
start the orchard house peaches, nectarines, 
pears, apples, plums, and cherries, commenc’ 
mg at the warmest end with peaches; of 
course, where, separate depariiments can b- 
devoted to the different varieties so much 
the better. The chief points are light, well- 
ventilated houses, healthy trees, avoidance 
of -(high and clo(?e temperature in mild 
weather, or falling below 40 in severe 
Weather.—F. Jordan, Water Priory. 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
DELPHINIUMS.—In all well-arranged 
herbaceous borders, perennial delphiniums 
form a strong feature early in summer, and 
are of great beauty. An autumn display is 
somewhat uncommon and most attractive, 
and is by no means difficult to attain. For 
this purpose they require treating similarly 
to some annuals, and if well grown 95 per 
cent, of the plants will produce spikes dur- 
. ing August and September of the first yew 
that will range from three to six feet in 
height. The seed should be sown now in 
pans, and be placed in a gentle heat to 
assdfit gerinaition. When the seedlings are 
large enough, prick them off three inches 
apart in boxes oontiaining about four inches 
in depth of rich soil. Grow them on in a 
moderately-heated pit in a light position 
until well rooted, then transfer them to a 
cold frame, which should be well ventilated 
on all mild days. Towards the end of April 
they will be ready to plant out. Prepare the 
ground previously by digging it deeply anj 
adding a heavy dressing of well-decarea 
manure. Allow twelve inches each way be¬ 
tween the plants, and water them well m 
if the ground is at all dry. The after treat¬ 
ment consists ebiefly of frequently moving 
the soil with a hoe, and should a very dry 
spell be experienced, an occasional soaking 
of water will be very beneficial. 
STOCKS OF SUMMER-BEDDINlr 
PLANTS must be carefully examined, and 
if there is a Ukelihood of any shortage ’ 
ring^ immediate steps should be taken 
make up the deficiency. In many 
this can be overcome by placing all avaim ^ 
stock plants into a moderate heat, an 
encourage them to produce 
fioT the supply of ou'titings. 
lobelias, pelaigoniums, salvias, etc., ©ta t 
now will give cuttings that will root ni 
readily. Young plants of 
fuchsias that were rooted in August, 
are intended to be grown on to 
dards or pyraimids,will now be growing i I 
in 6m. pots, and an effort should be 
maintain a vigorous growth without a ^ 
Artificial manure land soot-water ^PP 
weak and often will greaty assist • 
Pinching the lateral growths 
the leading shoots must be attend^ 
larly. Frames and pits Uw 
larias, pentstemons, violas, etc., 
need increased attention, and 
tunty should be taken to admit air_ wh 
favourable, avoiding cold -jpus 
growth becomes active amongst the 
inmates, most of them will require p __^ 
to induce side and base growths /’ 
T. B. Field, Wych Cross Place Gardens- 
