I’HE GARDENERS’ MAGAZINE. 
OCTOBIB 11, 1911 
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WORK FOR THE WEEK. | 
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THE ORCHID HOUSES. 
CYMBIDIUMS. — The late autumn and 
winter-flowering cymbidiums, species and hy. 
brids, will now have flower scapes in different 
stages of development, and should receive 
every encouragement. Several of these 
may be successfully cultivated under the 
same atmospheric conditions as odontoglos- 
sums. In fact, we consider C. Tracyanum 
does far more satisfactorily under these con¬ 
ditions than when grown in a higher tem¬ 
perature; the flowers produced are of finer 
colour and substance, and are much more 
durable under the cooler conditions. As 
most of the cymbidiums do not flower satis¬ 
factorily until they have filled their pots 
with roots, a little weak liquid cow manure 
may be ajmlied occasionally up to the time 
that the flowers expand, but manures for 
orchids must be used with every care and 
discretion. If there is plenty of root room 
and a good compost was u^ when pot¬ 
ting, there is little need for any other mate¬ 
rial, and rain water will generally afford all 
that is necessary for their successful culti¬ 
vation. The plants should be placed in a 
position where they will have the full benefit 
of available light, as this will prevent the 
flower scapes becoming unduly drawn and 
will also assist the development of colour in 
the flowers when they expand. 
POTTING.—Such of the winter-flowering 
kinds that are producing growths, instead of 
flowering, may be repotted, and the flower¬ 
ing plants, as they pass out of bloom, should 
also receive atteiution. Plenty of good 
fibrous loam of a lasting nature should be 
used, with ample broken crocks, charcoal, 
and sand to render the compost porous. 
PERMANENT SHADING should now be 
removed from the roof glass, and ends of the 
orchid houses. The ends may have to be 
covered for a short time during the middle 
of ithe day, where they are tfacing due 
south, but full advantage should be taken 
of the available light during the next few 
weeks, for, after the end of the present 
month, there is little power in the sun’s rays 
to assist in maturing growth. The roof 
blinds also must be used with discretion, 
and should only be lowered where there is a 
danger of the foliage being injured by the 
sun. With the cooler conditions prevailing 
outside, the greater amount of moisture in 
the atmosphere and the rapid shortening of 
the days, less damping is needed to provide 
atmospheric requirements. The tempera¬ 
ture of the different divisions should reach 
the normal degree in the morning before 
damping is done, and the weather outside 
will suggest whether further damping will be 
advisable later in the day.—H. J. Chapman, 
Oakwood Gardens. 
STOVE PLANTS. 
EUCHARIS. — Eucharis that have been 
resting since completing their summer 
growth will have benefited considerably by 
the recent spell of lovely autumn weather. 
Assuming they are now in a slightly heated 
frame or an intermediate house, to ensure 
a prolonged supply of their beautiful 
flowers a few of the most forward plants, 
which are probably just showing their spikes, 
should be placed in a temperature of 70 deg. 
Give them a thorough waterinjg, and main¬ 
tain genial conditions by occasionally damp¬ 
ing between the pots and syringing over¬ 
head when the weather is favourable. After 
the flowering season and just as growth is 
recommencing a good opportunity is offered 
for repotting, or for removing some of the 
spent surface soil, and top-dressing as may 
be considered desirable. The remaining 
plants will provide one or two successional 
batches, and for the present may continue 
partially resting, though at no time must 
they be kept excessively dry. Where mealy 
bug or scale exists, occasional sponging with 
a strong insecticide will be necessary to keep 
these pests in check. 
APHELANDRA ROEZLI.—This handsome 
flowering plant will now be showing its 
spikes, and will require somewhat drier 
atmospheric conditions. Continue to give 
occasional applications of weak liquid 
manure, and of an approved fertiliser, until 
the colour of the flowers is seen, when only 
clear water should be given. After flowering 
a few plants may be retained for the pro¬ 
duction of seeds, from which stock is easily 
raised. If large plants are desired, they 
may be kept somewhat dry, though not dried 
off, have the flower spikes removed, and 
when growth recommences in spring they 
must be shaken out and repotted, with the 
intention of giving larger pots when ready 
for them. 
ALOCASIAS.—^The evergreen species will 
now require similar treatment t(o that 
recommended for anthuriums in a preoedr 
ing calendar. Deciduous forms should 
be rested and stored, as recommended for 
ealadiums. 
H^MANTHUS KALBREYERI.—Having 
completed its growth this should be allowed 
to rest, and no water will be required until 
the flower spikes are seen. Evergreen species 
of Haemanthus will require less water at the 
root from now until new growth commences. 
They require to be wintered in the stove.— 
H. Prime, Hatfield Gardens. 
FRUITS UNDER CLASS. 
EARLY PEACHES.—No further time 
should be lost in having all root-lifting, root- 
pruning, and any renovating of the borders 
brought to a conclusion. The summer and 
autumn have been most favourable to the 
ripening of the wood, so that any large trees 
which were prepared last season, by being 
root-pruned, may now be moved with perfect 
safety to other positions. The removal 
of large trees must be carefully and quickly 
performed; it is also most important that 
one or two good waterings should be given 
before lifting is attempted. Peach tr^ 
which are kept in ,good condition lift easily, 
and soon recover when placed in a fresh posi¬ 
tion if the soil is well washed in with tepid 
water, which is the best method of settling 
the compost amongst the roots. 'Ke loosely 
to allow for settling down; keep rather close 
and syringe frequently, and shade for a few 
days to prevent distressing the trees more 
than is necessary. Treated carefully in this 
way, large trees in full leaf will be re-estah- 
lished in a month or so, and, given ordinary 
attention afterwards, will be ready for forc¬ 
ing with the other trees. 
PRUNING must be very light for lifted 
trees. Where former directions have been 
carried out it will be very slight in any case 
and only the mere removal of a shoot here 
and there to balance the trees. The same re¬ 
marks apply to undisturbed trees, except that 
more of the old bearing wood may be spared, 
and other shoots which were overlooked 
at summer pruning. I do not favour the shor¬ 
tening back of bearing wood, but it some¬ 
times becomes a necessity for the proper bal¬ 
ance of the trees. 
SUCCESSION HOUSES.—Trees in these 
houses, when well thinned of old bearing 
wood, and where the buds are well advanced 
(the best proof of well-ripened wood), should 
he well watered if this is found neces¬ 
sary until the foliage falls natunally. 
In many places, there is no help for it, but 
oth«r plants in the peachTouS^TtlL 
the buds in a state of excitement 
they should be resting; Such condiu* 
are also favourable to bud dropping 
flowers, and other causes of faflwT i, T 
spring. • “• 
LATE HOUSES.—Thin out the wood « 
late trees as soon as possible to let in lifk 
and air; a little steady fire-heat can do ar, 
harm until the wood is ripe, always pn>ridittr 
ventilation is on a Hberal scale. Fuminu 
where there is any suspicion of insects aid 
frequently wash the trees by meann of tb 
hose. Follow on with root.pruning im 
top-dressing, etc., so that all may be fini%W 
off without delay. — F. Jordan, Wart^r 
Priory Gardens. 
THE FLOWER CARDEN. 
SWEET PEAS.—The autumn sowinj^ d 
sweet peas has greatly increased in farow 
during the past few years, and the ndTaa. 
tages are obvious to all who adopt it. Sow 
growers are very successful with antiin 
sowing in the open ground early in the pit- 
sent month, but probably the most 8atl^fa^ 
tory method, espJecially in localities when 
the soil lays wet and cold, and where exhibi¬ 
tion flowers are required, is to sow the $ed 
in pots. Five-inch pots will be found rm 
suitable for this purpose, and should contaii 
soil to which a good quantity of sand hn 
been added. Seven or eight ^eeds to each pc< 
will sufiice, and these should be covered with 
about a half-inch of soil. Plunge the pc<» 
containing the seeds in ashes, up to the riw*. 
in a cold frame. When the young pet* 
appear, as much air as possible should hi 
given them whenever the weather permitA 
the lights being left on only during wet aad 
very cold weather; this is a most importnt 
detail, and one that has a graat effect cot- 
stitutionally on the plants. Water rawt hi 
cautiously given, and very little will be ^ 
quired until the days lengthen in the 
Year. 
SPRING BEDDING.—Much reluctance » 
often shown in clearing beds of their 
mer occupants, esp^ially when iv) 
frost has been experienced to make tbem ^ 
pear unsightly. To be over-indulgent m 
respect is not wise, as the subjects u.^ 
spring bedding are much benefited by ofK 
planted in good time, so that they may^ 
come well rooted before hard 
and, as bulbs figure largely in such disp^ 
it is necessary to get them ^ 
as possible if they are to be 
After the beds have been cleared, dig 
good dressing of rotten manure. 
DAHLIAS.—A few degrees of qa - 
terminates the flowering season o 
and no time should be lost, once ^ 
tion is arrived at, in lifting the . , 
the work proceeds, secure the ^ 
thin wire to one of the strongest 
afterwards stand the r<^ts m a a , 
to dry previous to storing *|^ywl 
cool, dry shed for the not 
be safe from frost and damp, ^ 
jected to artificial heat, which 
effect on the tubers. ^ ^ r q 
TRANSPLANTING »'** 
SHRUBS. — The roots of ^ ^ 
and shrubs are . providiaff ^ 
at any other period, it tf * 
ground is thoroughly ® 
W suitable time to 
planting them. When m /g^yrhed J 
which have been 
several years, it is good ^ 
work should be earned strong 
owing to the fact that ® ^ tb« 
will be severed 
these have to develop bett«^ 
the spring growth matter ^ 
is not quite such an vg 'ooifli^ff ^ 
dealing with trees and shr^ 
a nursery, ^ ^ 
serymen follow of fi^ 
prevents the roots ^ 
they are then in a 
planting. But even m this g fi^ 
ing is to be recommend^- 
Cross Place Gardens. 
