CHRYSANTHEMUMS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 90, 13 October 1932, Page 17

CHRYSANTHEMUMS

There is a gieat temptation to remove the foliage of bulbous plants after they [have finished iflowciing. Especially is 1 this the case with narcissi, "which make I such rank-, growth and become rather unsightly. It is veiy bad for the bulbs to be denuded ofitheir fQliage, which h, in a measure, their breathing and foodmaking apparatus. After they have done flowering the building up of the I bulbs for'next season's flowering takes | place. If the foliage is cut off this is j impossible/and very probably the bulbs will bo killed outright, and in any case I they 'will be sadly weakened. In all I cases tho bulbs should be left with the i foliage intact until it dies down natural- ! ly. Tho old flower heads should be re,"move,d:- as1- the-forination and maturing I'of seeds is an added drain on the bulb. |To .get,over the unsightliness o£ the [ narcissi foliage'it may be doubled over and tied round, and annuals may then be planted, which will soon cover up the untidiness. If it is necessary, for any reason, for tho bulbs to bo lemovjed.before they are mature, they sjiould be left as long as possible, then they may bo laid in a tionch with the foliage untouched to finish the lipening pioccas.

CARING FOR YOUNG PLANTS

young plants which were raised from cuttings :ot .rooted suckers should, be. well, established by now, arid starting to makejgrpwth.:; As soon as 'they are from six to nine inches high -it is a good plan to pinch them—that is, nip out. the :tip..to induce the „ plants- to out. Later; when the -laterals hdve made a.similay amount'of.growth, these-may again be' hipp.jd. It : must be ■ understood s'that th|s ■■■. is,/the' treatment recommended fox garden varieties, the show Kinds requiring.' different methods. -\~' ':' > :,r, xi.; .; ■■ ■■■■• ■ The beds for planting should be-pre-pared by deep digging, .-as) although chrysanthemums are . rator;', shallowrooted, deeply dug, soil 'retains moisture better ;during a • dry period. The ground must contain ample plant food aiicLhumus. Allow plenty of room for the plants to develop—2ft to.3ft fipart each way is not top much. Plant firmly and keep the surface soil hoed around the plants to keep down weeds and con-1 serve moisture. Being surface-rooted chr^-santhemums respond xeadilj^ ta top-