THE FLOWER GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 22442, 12 September 1936, Page 23

THE FLOWER GARDEN

A great deal of planting can be done this month with the hardy annuals, but it is much too early to plant the tenter annuals. It only means loss of time and money. If annuals are planted at the end of the month or the beginning of October there is no check and the plants go away very quickly. The only plants that can be pfsnted with safety just now are sweet peas _ (from boxes or paper pots), antirrhinums, calendulas, delphiniums, aquelegias scabious, stocks, carnations, sweet william, and wallflowers. One of the most popular summer and autumn flowering plants is the dahlia. These plants seem to enjoy any ordinary garden soil, but of course, like many other flowering plants, if you require special blooms for exhibition or other purposes, a good loamy soil is preferable, and special feeding must be given. The best position should be an open one providing there is shelter from winds, but on no account must they be planted in a shady position or near large trees or shrubs. The soil to receive them should be got ready from now on. If manure was dug in through the winter, the only thing that is required now is to fork in about 31b of bone-dust and Jib of sulphate of potash to 50 square feet of ground. Then, just prior to planting out the tubers or plants, a good dressing of shell lime should be worked in. In planting there should be plenty of space allowed for the plants to develop—from 2ft 6in to 3ft for the smaller growing varieties such as pompoms and the new small flowering varieties. The modern dahlias will need more room, not less than 3ft 6in to 4ft .apart between in the rows. Often one hears this question asked; What is the best to plant, tubers or green-rooted plants? Well, I have seen good results from both, but to tho amateur I would advise that when he can secure tubers, by all means do so. If the tubers have one or two, eyes then one can rely on tho plants nob only growing but giving good results. Of course, with the novelties one will no doubt be unable to obtain tubers owing to tho fact that the growers have to retain tubers to work stock from the first season, and in that case can only supply rooted cuttings in paper pots.

When receiving plants in paper pots do not knock them out, but plant the pot as well. This method will protect the young roots, and in time the paper will rot and help the young roots to start away. _ If young rooted plants are obtained in Dunedin or the district there will be very little danger of loosing the plants, but if ordered from a distance the plants being so soft will not be successful; and in many cases will not pick up again. That has been the experience of the writer of these notes. When planting tubers they should be put in with the eye or eyes facing up. The tuber should be covered with at least 6in of soil if sandy, but if the soil is on the heavy side then 4in will be sufficient. The rooted cuttings—sometimes called green plants—should not be knocked out of tho paper pots, but planted so as to allow about Sin to Jin of the shoots to be above the ground level If a hollow is allowed around each plant this will be helpful in maintaining the moisture around tho roots through the summer months and also for feeding purposes. Stakes should be placed to each plant from the beginning, and only one or two stems allowed to each plant. Notes on stopping, etc., will follow in _ due season. A watch must be kept in the early stages for various pests or else the young growth will suffer. A dusting with lime and tobacco dust will keep most pests in check. Or if sprayed with nicotine sulphate will keep the plants clean.

Those who have very small gardens at their disposal and have not the room for the large growing varieties should certainly grow the charming new garden kinds. I have compiled a list suitable for small spaces and delightful for house decoration and floral work. The pompoms are coming back again into fashion, but whereas we had only a few varieties in years gone by, now we have at least 50 named kinds on the market. These lovely little flowers make a great show in the garden with their wonderful colourings, and the habit of the plants is very compact and sturdy. As cut flowers they are unsurpassed throughout the summer and autumn.

The following can be obtained from the local nurserymen : —Brilliant Eye (terracotta). Bacchus (blood red), Chamoisroschen (orange shaded white), Effect (scarlet), Goldrush (rich yellow), Grafin von Moltke (salmon), J. van Cittirs (old gold), Regulus (violet). Tommy Keith (orange and white), White Aster, and Fashion (old gold). Small charm dahlias: Baby Royal (salmon pink on golden ground). Bishop of Llaudoff (blood reel), Garden Love (cherry pink on gold). Little Dream (rose pink and white). Little Snow Queen, and Yellow I’carl (deep yellow). F.S.Pji