INSIDE CULTIVATION OF HYDRANGEAS.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 5, 26 June 1930, Page 9

INSIDE CULTIVATION OF HYDRANGEAS.

Valuable Hints for Amateurs For the convenience of those who may I have purchased plants in bloom this seal son 1 will describe the treatment they. 7H>e<l from-the time the flowers are over. Trhe' first thing to do is ito cut off the old bloom with about 'two-thirds of the stem. This acts'by way of pruning, and new shoots will push out from that portion left on the ..plaint. Growths that" •have not flowered should, be used to supply cuttings. ' • When Hydrangeas in pots are. in bloom they are often taken in to .living rooms or shaded rather heavWy. in the conservatory, and growtih is consequently soft; -it 'Is advisable therefore 'to stand t'hemin the ■•greisnliouse under full .flight for a few days, preparatory to Tem'oving them out-side for the late stnn-. mer. What is now wanted; is a gradual 'hardening or ripening of the "new1 wood, '.' Avihi&h. full exposure with rather , less -lUoistUTe at the raots will event- , 11 ally bring aibout. The young shoots, should be itied securely or they may :be danuvged -by the Vind. ..■; Taking Cuttings Hydrangea cuttings _. caii _be rooted practically aill the summer, but it is - usual to insert them in March, when the fresh shoots are firm; each rooted eutt-; ing will produce a largo (head of bloom I the f oO'loswing" spring. The best cuttings are tihe tips of non-flowering shoots, these being cut off just below a joint to leave them aibout three .inches long. The remaining part of the shoot is then cut back further. The cuttings, s&ouM be inserted, singly in small pots of sandy soil: if kept elose v in propagating frame they will Toot in less than a month, after whiclh they should be placed oh tie bench in the greennouse in the full Qigiht. In ten days or so they -will be' ready for potting singly into 3-inch pots, and wihen well rooted should be moved into 5-inch pots in which they will bloom. | Making Sure of Blue Hydrangeas As is weQl known there are Hydrangeas with, pink, reddish, white^rpauye, and blue heads of bloom, tike lattei? ibeingperhaps most admired. The iblue qnes,* j •however, are liable to change to pink ' unless treated correctly. A blue Hydrangea bought this year may bo pink next year, unless steps are taken to prevent the change. At one time gardeners lhad their own special ways of obtaining the desired colour in the blooms,: tout now there is no secret about the process. Specialists have perfected a 'blueing powder, which, if used according to .directions, wiQl ensure the appearenee of blue flowers. The clhief thip^ necessary to success is ■■$& start early with the powder, and mix it with the soil. A good soil mixture, for Hydr.an.geas | consists of two parts light sandy loam, tfwb. parts peat and two parts leaf mou'M, wit2i a free sprinkling of sand. Do not pot too. firmly, and provide good drainage. The blueing powder ought !to be mixed in witi. the soil in which.. the cuttings are inserted, and when the (buds begin to ahtfw the preparation should be given once a week in liquid form. "'..'■. ..."..■.

VaTieties are: now fairly plentiful; .tiie following are' all ,to' be depended upon, and may be' "Obtained from, specialists advertising in (this paper. Thosie wlhich respond best to the use of blueing powder are Le Miarne,

'Madame Chautard, Madame H. Hamasy Mareehal Foclh, Niedersa&hen, Badiant, and Vicpmte de VibraVe. Hydrangeas of pink and red shades are Satineite, Elmas, Jgarsevai, Krimhild, Loreley, a beautiful eaidy varity, Etincelant, AmaTaiite and Helge dark rose. The best white is Madame Mouillere.