GARDENING NOTES.

Shannon News, 15 September 1925, Page 1

GARDENING NOTES.

The cold snap, with its corresponding - cold nights has checked the growth of most plants to a certain extent. Work for the week may include the planting of strawberries, rhubarb, asparagus, sea-kale, and herbs. Finish any pruning wqrk early as possible, and continue planting - shrubs, fruit and forest trees. Continue to prepare ground for summer crops in suitable weather.

Trees and Shrubs from Cuttings. •Many more trees and shrubs may be propagated from cuttings than is generally supposed. The work is interesting and certainly pro-zides abundant opening for the skill and energy of the propagotor. Most trees and shrubs may in some way or another, be induced to srike from cuttings. The best season to insert the cuttings is important, and it is helpful if a notebook be accurately kept, recording the successes and failures at different seasons. Another consideration is the best type of cutting to use, whether soft young shoots, half ripened wood, or the mature growth of the year. If a certain type does not strike from one method, try another. Sand has come very much to the fore as a rooting medium, but cuttings inserted in pure sand must not be left long when rooted, as the material contains very little plantfood. The first soil used for the initial rooting from the sand should contain 1 plenty of coarse grit. Unless this precaution is taken it is found that the roots of some cuttings do not take freely to the soil straight from the porous sand. The length of the growths suitable for cuttings is a variable item. Heaths and manukas are among the shortest from one to, one and a half inches., in length, inserting one-quarter to one-third in the soil. As a rule healthy side shoots make the most satisfactory cuttings. In some instances those with a thin base or “heel” of the previous year’s growth give the results. It is not necessary to own a greenhouse to strike cuttings. A hot-bed answers the purpose, or , a sun frame which, as the name suggests depends for its heat on the sun’s rays. A bed of sandy soil is made up in a sunny position to within, one foot of the glass, with ample drainage beneath. The cuttings after insertion should not be shaded, but waterpd freely. By this means many cuttings root freely. If a second frame be placed inside the first,„ even better results are obtained. There is no excuse even for the owner of a small garden with no glass frames, as a box with good drainage and sandy soil can be used with a fair measure of success if the top be covered with a sheet of glass. It may not be generally known that our valuable native timber tree (the totara) is readily propagated from cuttings, also the (Ghent) and Azalea Mollis, using the half ripe shoots. Deciduous Itliododendrous.

Tlie value and beauty of many of the deciduous rhododendron family is well known. In point of rich and brilliant colouring they easily occupy first place among hardy shrubs. Coupled with this gorgeous colourinf in Spring and Summer, is the delightful fragrance of many varieties,_ this is particularTyynoticeable among the Ghent speciesTthb Mollis, the Sinensis varieties are only slightly perfumed. With many Azaleas there is a further period of striking beaiity in Autumn, the rich red, orange, bronze, and crimson colouring of the foliage being a conspicuous feature of the landscape where large groups are planted. Like large-leaved evergreen rhododendron, the deciduous groups also have close masses of, fibrous roots forming large balls of soil. ' With ordinary care there is practically no risk in transplanting these subjects. They thrive in lime-free soil, but certainly prefer a good loam with plenty of leaf mould. With such finelyrooted plants it is important to tread the soil firmly. They are also very impatient of dryness at the roots and a liberal mulching of decaying leaves applied in spring is very desirable. While the question of shelter must receive attention Avhen arranging the planting of the mollis hybrids, as they bloom , rather early, the Ghent hybrids may be used with advantage for lawn beds in the open. There is however, much to : be said in favour of shelter for all the Azalea family, because thoy favour a cool and rather moist rooting medium. These ideal conditions are more often obtained for Azaleas. Avhen planted on woodlan dslopes, although in shrubberies many suitable shac|y spots may be chosen for these charming subjects? For general out-door planting the most beautiful and popular race at the present time are the Ghent Azaleas. The original parents of this group are R. Caleiululaeea, R, flavum, R. viscosum, and R. nudiflorum. Now, we have an enormous number . of varieties in cultivation* providing a wealth of colour second to none in the wide field of hardy shrubs and trees. The deciduous rhododendrons are easily raised from seed, thus providing an interesting and profitable method where extensive woodland plantings have been decided on. To reproduce the named sorts true to type in crease must be by layerings or cuttings, and as a last resource grafting. The best time to insert cuttings is in summer, when the young shoots are becoming fairly firm (half ripe), but they will root in a close frame with a slight bottom heat, which may be obtained by the use of fresh stable manure before adding the sand, copious waterings are needed under these conditions. It is very desirable to remove I the seed vessels when not wanting the | seed, as soon as the flotvers of the ; Azalea fall. If this is overlooked j much of the nutriment Avhich should go to promote healthy, vigorous young groAvths is taken up in the development of seeds. Some of the hybrids are sterile, but many produce good seed. It is extremely interesting work raising a feAV seedlings from the best hybrids. Finally do not neglect to mulch the plants, which is a most necessary cultural detail, especially for light soils.