strong. Do not use any powder at all rather 
than an ‘‘off the shelf’’ brand. Most of these 
powders are approximately 10 times too 
strong and should be diluted with an inex- 
pensive brand of talcum powder. Never dip 
geranium cuttings in water before powder- 
ing. Geranium stems are hairy and should be 
tapped with the hand to free excess powder. 
The geranium trade, uses Cut- 
start IX for all geraniums. Pelargoniums 
prefer Cutstart 2X. 
WATERLOGGING appears as shiny dark 
green coloring near base of cuttings and 
travels upward. Mature plants show exces- 
sive water by withering at the tips, often 
turning black and dying downward. Over- 
watering often means the plant must evaporate too much water to realize a proper amount 
of nutrients. 
in. general, 
makes first cultivation of 
Fred A. Bode, III, 
new fields at Palos Verdes 
taking job. 
Estates, a pains- 
STARVATION. All food chemicals should be present in proper proportion, and the ab- 
sence of any one will cause a form of chlorosis or show some other sign of deficiency. The lack 
of nitrogen and a pH below 5.5 are the two worst offenders. Plants starved of nitrogen look 
poor for a while and then become diseased and die. How quickly this happens, depends upon 
diseases present. A pH below 5.5 causes geraniums to stop taking in phosphorus; the entire 
plant wilts and drops its leaves; 2 oz. of Dolomite or 1 oz. lime to 1 gallon of water will cor- 
rect the pH condition, or 2 oz. of calcium nitrate if the nitrogen is also low. Cuttings taken 
from plants low in nitrates will often root almost 100%, but the percentage of survival depends 
upon just how low the nitrogen level is. Cuttings of low nitrogen plants die before or after 
rooting from the base upward in long back streaks. The actual death of the cuttings is from 
induced stem rot. 
PESTS. White fly, aphids, red spider ,thrips, mealy bug, and caterpillars are the most 
common. Fortunately, all may be controlled by parathion bombs, spray, or smokes in the green- 
house. Isotox and Malathion are good sprays. Southern California Geranium Gardens stock is 
treated with systemic poison, and both rooted and unrooted cuttings are free of red spider, 
two-spotted mite, Pacific mite, etc. 
DISEASES of geraniums are relatively unimportant. All of the diseases of geraniums have 
been known for many years, yet the geranium succeeds generation after generation. Diseases 
have been described in many books—-Bailey’s Horticultural Cyclopedia gives good account of 
them and recommends good culture and sanitation. To this we add the recommendation to make 
green tissue tests; for, if cuttings or plants are chemically deficient, lowered resistance en- 
courages the onset of disease. Check the deficiencies with a good foliate fertilizer and feed 
from the pot also. 
We root up to 400,000 cuttings each 60 days, and must keep our stock at a high point 
of nutritional perfection; therefore, you are assured of the best available stock when we supply 
you either rooted or unrooted cuttings. 
Many growers pot unrooted cuttings directly into 2% or 22 inch pots in good potting 
soil. This is most practical for growers wholesaling 214’ pots. The soil should be well balanced, 
and preferably well seasoned. Some growers prefer to callus or root cuttings in sand before 
potting. Usually growers pot our rooted cuttings into 3’’ pots ,saving at least one move. Some 
growers, particularly in spring, grow heavy varieties like Castelane and Sensation for landscape 
planting, pot our rooted cuttings directly into 4’’ pots. 
Your advice given to us last year was a great Due to an unusual delay our last order was 
help in this year’s success. It is certainly gratify- 
mg to do business with a concern who is inter- 
ested in the problems of the retailer. 
—San Antonio, Texas 
My order of Scented-leaved arrived in nice 
shape ... At these prices I will never propagate 
my own stock again. I can use the time and 
space to better advantage. 
—Wisconsin 
over a week enroute, but your packing was so 
good that we will not have to file a claim for more 
than 10% of the shipment. 
—Venezuela 
checked with our agent and find that 
your recommendations will save 50% over last 
year’s method... 
—Virginia 
“i 
