THE GARDENERS' MAGAZINE. 
August 30, 1913. 
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WORK FOR THE WEEK. 
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THE ORCHID HOUSES. 
INCREASING STOCK OF COOL OR- 
HIDS.—^There are many cases in which it is 
desirable to increase the stock of odontoglos- 
sums. odontiodas, oncidiodas, masdevallias, 
and other cool house orchids, and the pot¬ 
ting season affords a good opportunity for 
the purpose of making divisions. In the case 
of odontoglossums, odontiodas, oncidiodas, 
and allied genera, it is a good practice to 
sever the rhizome between the pseudo-bulbs 
some weeks before for repotting plants of 
those kinds from which increased stock is 
desired. It is generally considered now that 
the back pseudo-bulbs, which have shed their 
kaves, obtain their sustenance from the 
more active portions of the plants. Thus in 
many cases, if they are not removed by sever¬ 
ing the rhizome, they become a strain on the 
developing growths, and these in consequence 
are generally found to be more or less re¬ 
tarded or stunted. There is no reason why 
the divisions of the pseudo-bulbs should not 
be effected, for even if it is not desirable 
to increase the stock of plants, it is gene¬ 
rally the aim to produce nice specimens. As 
the only means of increasing the lead¬ 
ing growths of many plants is by mak¬ 
ing these divisions, no opportunity should 
be lost in effecting them some time 
previous to repotting. When the divi¬ 
sion is made it will usually be found that 
the new growths from the divided pseudo¬ 
bulbs will have commenced, and they may 
thus be pott^ at the time when the repotting 
is in progress; and, as most of the growths 
pit; syringe daily in bright weather, and 
until well rooted water sparingly that the 
soil does not become soured. For the next 
few weeks shading from bright sunshine will 
be necessary. 
CENTROPOGON LUCYANUS. — Plants 
should not be stopped after this date, but 
must be given ample room, for, in addition 
to the growths from the head, they will 
throw up several strong shoots from the base 
which will carry fine racemes of flowers. 
Great care must be exercised in watering, 
for, while they should not be allowed to suffer 
from drought, they must not be over- 
watered; when this happens they quickly 
assume a sickly appearance, and good flowers 
are out of the question. They should at pre¬ 
sent be' growing in an intermediate house, 
but they must be transferred to stove condi¬ 
tions before the damp autumn weather com¬ 
mences. 
ISOLOMA HIRSTJTUM.—If not already in 
their flowering pots the plants should be 
shifted without delay. Pinch out the point 
when the plants are about six inches in 
height, which will be sufficient to produce 
good bushy examples. Place under similar 
conditions to those recommended for 
gesneras. 
EUPHORBIA FULGENS (SYN. JAC- 
QUINI^FLORA).—With the commencement 
of September the house in which this species 
has been growing will probably be reqpir^ 
for housing plants from frames while 
of fruit, the atmosphere will have to be kept 
much drier than was recommended for t£e 
trees when swelling their crop. It must 
however, be remembered that excessive drt’ 
ness causes red spider to put in an appear¬ 
ance. When the fruits which are re^v ar* 
picked, a good syringing may be given the 
trees, and the night temperature maintained 
at about 75 degrees with ventilation. Where 
the trees are grown in tubs or pots liberal 
supplies of weak liquid manure must be 
given to assist them to finish their crops. 
Strip off all late fruits that appear, and 
any trees that require shifting should be 
seen to as soon as they have finished fruiting. 
Guard against overpotting, once in two years 
being sufficient if all has gone well. * Use 
good turfy loam, with lime rubble and a 
fair sprinkling of bone-meal, and see that 
the drainage is efficient. 
STRAWBERRIES.—Plants that were iu i 
condition to be potted in July will have nov 
well filled their pots with roots, and a little 
weak liquid manure may be given them twice 
a week. Do not overcrowd them, but Irt 
them stand clear of each other. Keep the 
pots clear of weeds, and pick off all runners 
as they appear. Look over duplicate crown 
and reduce to one, and raise the pots oi 
boards or trellises should the weather k 
wet. —F. Jordan, Warter Priory Gardens. 
THE FLOWER CARDEN. 
BORDER CARNATIONS.—Layers of car. 
nations that were put down in July 
now be rooting freely, and the most forward 
can be severed from the old plants, making 
them self-supporting. Preparations plwt. 
ing must now be considered, m directly 
the young plants are ready nothing should 
delay this operation, thus giving them m 
opportunity to become well established «»• 
fore winter. The practice of providing a 
change of ground each season is well wwH 
adhering to whenever it can be arrangWi 
districts not particularjT 
the euphorbias will also need a house 
^ ^ where warmer conditions may he applied. A especially ... .. — . ^ u 
produced form fresh roots at an early stage pit used recently for melon culture will pro- ^.uited to carnation culture. The soil shouM 
of development, with ordinary care they vide a suitable place. If not already done, times be deeply worked, and if 
. Wfino- ^ stake should be placed to the plants as • - ’ . -x--on addition 
they are moved, and this should b£ of such 
length as to allow a graceful curve to the 
upper part of the growths. A little food 
will assist greatly from now, but it must be 
used carefully. Damp down frequently in 
bright weather, syringe lightly occasionally. 
A thin shading during the brightest part of 
the day will be necessary for three or four 
weeks longer. Poin&ettias will require very 
soon become established in the new potting 
compost. The pots u^d should be of just 
sufficient size to contain the plants comfort¬ 
ably, using ample drainage and a good open 
conipost. Plants that require immediate 
repotting, and have numerous leafless pseudo- 
bulbs, these latter may he cut off at the time 
of repotting. It is best to place these bulbs 
in a dry, airy position for a few days, after 
which they may be laid on a bed of chopped 
sphagnum"moss, or placed in small pots with similar treatment.—H. Prime, Hatfield Gar- 
little potting compost about them. The same dens, 
method may be applied to pseudo-bulbs that 
have been previously severed and have 
not produced new growths at the time of 
potting. 
MASDEVALLIAS and other tufted-leaved 
kinds are divided at the time of repotting. 
It is generally found when repotting the 
large-flowered section of masdevallias, espe¬ 
cially in the case of large specimens, that 
they have become hollow from loss of leaves 
in the centre. To convert them into good 
specimens again, the only thing that can ^ 
done is to divide them and arrange the 
growths towards the centre. Small pieces 
not required for making up the specimens 
may be placed in suitable sized pots. Mas¬ 
devallias do not require a deep root run, 
being practically surface-rooting. As they 
require a liberal supply of moisture at all 
seasons of tha year, ample and clean drain¬ 
age must be given. No stagnant water must 
remain about the plants at any season. 
H. J. Chapman, Oakwood Gardens. 
STOVE PLANTS, 
is of a heavy, retentive nature an 
of burnt earth and wood ashes will g-' 
better results than by digging m mann^ 
To very light sandy soif must ^ adaw 
materials that will assist in 
ture, such as good stiff loam, and well-rotw 
cow manure. , 
HERBACEOUS PEONIES.—Once 
lished, paeonies usually flourish a num^ 
years without being disturbed, 
receive a mulch, or the g^agoi- 
ings of well-decayed manure eac s 
At times it becomes 
owing to their becoming overcrowd^ 
some other cause. It is J U 
that at least a season’s flowe^^f ^ 
forfeited by doing so, but ^ it 
case should the operation be Ik' 
the right time, and in a prop^%®Xuid ‘ 
first opportunity from this da ^ 
beco**- 
FRUITS UNDER CLASS. 
PINES —Plants that are swelling their 
fruits will now require careful attention to 
keep the soil in a moderate state of mois¬ 
ture. Do not give them too strong doses of 
liquid manure as the sun declines in power, 
and use the syringe with caution on swelling opportunity irom gr 
fruits, otherwise the crowns will develop taken advantage of to jg becoo 
to a laree size. Let the temperature be as their foliage at this th** 
t 10 p.m., falling to 70 i^g matured, and their roots k 
.-period. The 
in a moist condition at the ti® uFting 
Every care must be exercised m m 
plants to avoid injury to the 
retain soil about them. 
PROPAGATING SUMMER 
-- 
to a large 
about 80 degrees , , 
degrees at daybreak, sprinkling the paths any other period, 
and plunging material on the morning and ~ a 
evenings of fine days. 
SUCCESSIONS.—The plants of Queens 
that are intended for starting early next 
year may be maintained in a progressive 
state a little longer, but a certain amount of 
rest being essential -- 
PLANTS.—Numerous 
sential to a good start into bedders require propagating a 
should be induced to rest by provide either individual ^ +(, ' 
gradually r^ucing the water, lowering the 
temperature, and giving a freer admission 
of air on all favourable occasions. Cease 
overhead syringings and sprinkle the paths 
season, or stock plants from 
cuttinp^_early 
X.T/.TTTT^TjTwr, r-TTctTiTVP 4 <3 Gud othcT surfao8s. Maintain a temperature 
WINTER-FLOWERING GESNERAS^-^ ^ ^ 55 
lants of Gesnera refulgens and 6. exoni- the morning. ' Growing stock should 
be kept steadily moving until growth is 
Plants v.* --c 
ensis, raised from corms put singly in three- 
inch pots as previously recommended, will 
by this time be ready for shifting into their 
flowering pots—six-inch for the larger and 
five-inch for the weaker will be found the 
most suitable. The compost should be the 
same as previously advised, but 1^ used in a 
rougher condition. After repotting place a 
neat stake to each plant, and stand them, 
if possible, on a dump surface within a warm 
are tender, it is aavisctux*; injury/*^ 
operation until there is a r .^gjne, 
early frosts. Heliotropiam , slio®^i^ 
lantanas, coleus, ^ hiisk 
placed in a close pit and 
heat. Cuttings of a cold 
ites should also he which m 
containing sandy sod suitabh 
FIGS.—The weather for some time has be excluded will he foxm inserted ^ 
been of a favourable character for the pro- them. The cuttings, x ^bed 11®^“ 
duction of this luscious fruit, the tempera- thickly, can remain una from ^ 
ture having been maintained without the use spring without fear o Cross 
of much artificial heat. Where the trees that crowding.—T. B. Iiedd, 
fruited early are producing their second crop Gardens. 
fully made, which to the experienced eye 
easily perceptible. 
FIGS.—The weather for some time has 
