BRIEF CULTURAL NOTES 
ZINNIAS: Zinnias are warm weather loving plants and should never 
be sown until the soil has thoroughly warmed up and all danger of any 
frost has passed. For best results, especially with the smaller flowered, 
early blooming varieties, we recommend sowing the seed where the plants. 
are to flower. The taller growing, large flowered sorts can safely be 
transplanted, although they also will make a more robust growth and 
will produce more flowers if they can be sown where the plants are to 
bloom, and then when the seedlings are 3” or 4” tall, thinned to the proper 
distance. To induce a thrifty, heavy root system, irrigate your plants 
rather than sprinkling. Dig a little trench alongside the row and let the 
water run slowly for several hours so it will seep down deep into the 
ground and make the food in the soil available for the plant throughout 
the mass of feeding roots. Always cultivate after each irrigation to con- 
serve moisture. By this method you will have to water Zinnias only once 
every two weeks or so, whereas if the ground is merely sprinkled, you 
will have to repeat the sprinkling every other day or so. Irrigation not 
only gives a stronger, healthier plant, but also saves on your water bill. 
CALENDULAS: Calendulas are definitely cool weather loving plants 
and in the warmer climates should be sown in the autumn for early bloom 
in the late winter or early spring. While they like full sun, they cannot 
stand the burning sun of summer. In colder climates, seed should be 
started in the cold frame and plants set out as soon as possible for late 
spring and early summer bloom. In planting Calendulas, be sure and 
choose the proper type for the use you have in mind. There are forcing 
varieties for greenhouse growing and garden varieties for outdoor grow- 
ing. The outdoor varieties make a sturdier, more compact growth and are 
very desirable for garden use, while the forcing varieties are developed 
especially for the cut flower trade and do best under greenhouse conditions. 
GODETIAS: In their native California, the Godetia seeds on the 
hillsides sprout with the first winter rains and grow during the cool, wet 
winter months and come into flower during late spring, hence their name, 
Farewell-to-Spring. Given similar treatment in the garden, they will give 
their best bloom. Sow the seed broadcast late in the fall and allow them 
to remain undisturbed during the winter months. In the spring they will 
grow quickly as the soil warms and bloom profusely during late spring. 
Best results will be obtained by this method as they cannot tolerate the 
very strong summer sun. 
GOURDS: Gourds should be sown where the plants are to remain and 
should not be planted until late in the spring after the soil is thoroughly 
warm and nights as well as days are warm. For best results sow in a 
warm, sandy location, somewhat on the dry side. Provide enough water 
for a normal growth until the flowers appear, after which no further 
irrigation should be necessary. Watering during the flowering period 
will cause dropping of flowers and buds, and consequent loss of Gourds. 
For perfect-shape specimens, vines should be trained up on a fence or 
trellis and the Gourds allowed to hang, thus assuring straight necks and 
preventing rotting or discoloration from the soil. Do not harvest the Gourd 
crop until the fruits are thoroughly matured. This will be when the stem 
becomes brown and hard and pressure with the fingernail cannot dent the 
shell of the Gourd. After picking, Gourds should be hung in an airy, dry 
place until thoroughly cured. The large, hard-shelled varieties are then 
washed and scrubbed before decorating. The small, colorful varieties are 
wiped clean of dust and given a light coating of varnish or shellac. If 
thoroughly dried before treatment, Gourds should last several months for 
house decoration. 
IPOMEAS: In growing Ipomeas, never plant until the soil is thor- 
oughly warm. If it is too cool, the seeds will rot instead of germinating. 
Even in such warm sections as Southern California, seed should not be 
sown until late May. To aid germination of particularly hard-seeded 
varieties, filing a small notch at the top of the seed will help considerably. 
Always select the driest, sandiest part of the garden and sow where the 
plants are to flower as the Ipomeas resent transplanting. Plants should 
be kept on the dry side in order to induce early and abundant flowering 
with a rather sparse growth of foliage. Heavy watering will stimulate 
foliage growth at the expense of flowers. A poor soil is preferable to a 
rich one and fertilizer should not be used as this will promote heavy foliage 
which will hide the flowers. Ipomeas show off to best advantage when 
planted against a wall, fence or trellis. 
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