HORTICULTURAL NOTES

Otago Witness, Issue 2896, 15 September 1909, Page 10

HORTICULTURAL NOTES

By J. Gebbix.

FUCHSIAS. A well-grown fuchsia either in the greenhouse or flower garden, alwaya attracts attention," ajad being very ea6y to grow shoftid be more popular than they are. Cultivated in pote, they can be had in flower when Ift in height, and in large conservatories may be grown to 10ft or more, and at either stage they flowei profusely. They grow and flower equally as weli in the open border, and can be relied on to do well in wet or dry seasons. In a shady border they grow and flower f reel}. Plants that have stood over the waiter in pots should now- be taken in hand, and last year's wood shortened back. In the oourokj of a .week or two, wiien growth commences, take tine plants out of the pots in wiifcob they have wintered, shake oft all the old soil, and shorten, a few of the thicker roots, after which they can be potted into as small a pot as the roots will go into conveniently. Little water should os given until growth commences, but syringing the plants ou /sunny- days will induce ihera to push sooner into growth than they otherwise would. When these plants have made growths 3in or 4in in length these c*n be taken off for cuttings, and cut immediately below a pair of leaves, and tbe two leaves cut off close to tha stem. The cutting is then ready for inserting in the soil. Tms should be of a sandy nature. Several cuttings may be inserted in 3in or sin pots, and if a hotbed is available in which to plunge the pots the cuttings will root in 10 days or a fortnight. Without bottom boat they will take longer to root. When the- cuttings are rooted in a hotbed they- require uj be gradually hardened oS, then potted singly in small pots and kept closa for a few days. As soon as they begin to grow., pinch off their points, which, will induce tneni to break ireely. Keep them well syringed and free from insect pests. As soon as the pots become filled with roots shift into pots a size larger, a.nd when the side shoots have grown an inch or two pinch out the points so as to induce thorn to form compact plants. For house decoration bushy plants in sin or 6in pota are very effective foi all decorative purposes. If large specimens are wanted the plants will have to be potted on and all flower buds removed until the plant has -attained the required dimensions. Jfuchsias delight in a- fairly rich soil. In the early stages of growth loam and leaf soil, with 6ilver sand added, is a suitable compost, and far the final potting three parts loam and one part leaf .soil and welldecayed manure, with tome coarse sand, will form a compost in whkih they delight, aad us the pots baconi© filled with roots applications of V-ccik liquid manure will be heipfuL Plants kept .over the winter, and not wanted for indoor culture, can be planted in tlie open border or in beds, where they will grow beautifully and form large bushes. In some places tbe tops may be injured during winter by froat, but they may be grown as an herbaceous plant. Out them down near to the ground about this time of the yeaT, and they will -soon spring up and form one of the prettiest Bighte of the garden for a long time. STARTING TUBEROUS BEGONIAS. The usual practice when starting begonias is to i-ot them up singly in small pots, or place them in boxes and cover the tubers with soil. When treated in this way a number of the tubers generally rot. A better way is to place in a shallow box a layer of sundy «>oil (leaf soil and sand mixed), and on this lav uhe tubers. If placed in a warm greenhouse or on a hotbed the tubers will soon begin to push up growths. Syringing several times a day during bright weather will help them along, and this treatment can be carried out without the danger of causing the tubers to rot, which some of them certainly would do if covered with soil. When shoote lin or rather more have been made the plants can be transferred to their flowering pots. Treated in this manner the tubers break into growth better than if started in tbe pots with ordinary soiL Do not give much watec until growth is evident. TREATMENT OF SEEDLINGS. At this 6eason seed-sowing and the raising of many plants is an important task, and both gardener and amateur by experience know that although the seeds may germinate .most satisfactorily a large percentage of the seedlings quickly die or fail to make good plants if subjected to the slightest neglect at the critical period. We are treating of seedlings raised undei glass. In all cases thiD sowing is advisable. If 6own thickly the plants are crowded in the seed pots or pans, and this crowded state is often the caxis-e of damping off, especially in the watering is carelessly don-e-. Careful watering of seedling'? is most important, and soft water should be usad where obtainable, and used when at the same temperature as the atmosphere of the house in which the plants are growing. Much water >s not required, but the soil must not ho allowed to become too dry Pots, pans, or boxes of seeds which are covered with glass or paper must be frequent W examined, and as soon as the young plants make their appearance remove the covering co as to prevent the seedlings becoming drawn and sickly When the seedlings are large enough to handle they must be pricked out. Shallow boxes filled with light sandy soil and not pressec too firm should be prepared for their reception. Boxes are the most suitable for plants in quantity Where there are only a few seedlings of choice plants tin or Sin pots can be used. Plants pricked out ronnd the edge of a pot will root quicker and more freely than those in the centre.' Where 6pace permits seedlings of. the choicer kinds are pricked out round the outside of the pots, the centre being left. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. The Dunedin Horticultural Society is now distributing its schedule and list of pries for the ensuing season. As usual, very liberal prizes are offered for competition at the spring show. A gold medal and several money prizes from 3gs down aro vllcAed

to the popular narcissi. Liberal prizes are also offered for pot plants and various collections of out blooms of spring-time favourites. Inducement is also offered to competitors at the summer, autumn, and chrysanthemum shows, to be held in then regular seasons. The North Otago Horticultural Society's schedule is now being distributed. Cups and money prizes on a liberal scale are offered to competitors. Cultivators and lovers of tbe many classes of plants and out flowers for which prizes are offered will no doubt vie with each other in forwarding exhibits, and thus .help to make the various shows a success, besides stimulating others to engage in the healthiest and most agreeable of all outdoor occupations — the cultivation of flowers.