THE VIOLET

Evening Star, Issue 23379, 23 September 1939, Page 17

THE VIOLET

The violet is one of the most popular of the early flowering spring flowers. But 1 am afraid that its cultivation is not understood as it should be. The general method adopted is to break up the old plants and plant them in clumps and then, to allow them to run over everything until the whole becomes a thick mass of growth. When grown in this manner the flowers are small, and also very short in stem, and except for posies they cannot be used for table or other decorations. At this stage the bed or border should be prepared where it is intended to .grow them. The position should not be too warm or dry. or else there is a danger of the plants, if they are not kept moist, being attacked with red spider through their growing period. The violet is a gross feeder, and must have plenty of rich manure trenched in, and the soil must be deep and well drained. Just prior to planting the runners a good dressing of blood and bone should be forked ihto the surface, and the whole of the bed made fairly firm. This can be done with the feet, if the surface is‘allowed to remain in a loose condition the young plants will run away into growth too quickly. The next and the most important thing is to select the correct runner. The violet is very similar to the strawberry runner. There is the right and the "wrong runner to select for this work. The correct way is to take off the first that is made, and it is generally well rooted near the parent plant. This should be lifted up with the aid of a trowel without if possible interfering with the soil arbund_ the young roots. All other growths arising from the runners should be cut off. The plants should then be planted out as soon as possible into lines, just as one would plant a new strawberry bed. About Ift apart in the rows and ISiu between the rows will serve. Attention must be given to the plants right through the growing period. No runners must be allowed to grow from the plants at any time. The cultivation to produce good violets is as advised for the cultivation of strawberries. That is, all the strength must be confined to the crown. Through the summer, if the surface becomes dry, liquid manure should be given. One of the best is made from chimney soot. Not only is this liquid beneficial to the roots, but also the red spider will not trouble the plants when soot is used. It is also advisable after rain to dust the foliage with dry soot. _ Fowl manure taken from a barrel is also ■ a good stimulant for violet growing, but care must be exercised when using it. This manure must be given in a very weak solution. When the bed is exposed to the full ravs of the sun a mulch of rotted material should be placed between the plants. This will help to keep the roots moist. Violets will not thrive under dry conditions. Three varieties, which me the best for size and perfume, are King of the Doubles (pale blue), Mrs Lloyd George (large flowers of a deep blue with small double white eye), and Princess of Wales. This is the best all-round single blue for cutting.