GROW GIANT PANSIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 276, 11 February 1928, Page 26

GROW GIANT PANSIES

SOW THE SEED NOW There are few garden plants which produce the same wealth and brilliance of bloom over such an extended period of the year as the pansy. Under natural conditions the pansy produces the largest and finest flowers in a rich, loamy soil and a cool, moist climate. In order to secure this we must adapt our system of culture as to have them in full bloom at the season best suited to their highest development, which in our climate is August and September. This will mean sowing the seed in January or February. Wherever possible it would be well to prepare the bed immediately for the reception of the young seedlings. Select for preference a position in the garden which is partially shaded from the sun during the day. Trench the soil well and thoroughly work in some well-rotted manure. Seed Sowing. —Now, for the seed sowing. Choose for your purpose either boxes or the seed bed. I prefer the latter. The seed bed should be dug deeply and broken up ’ thoroughly. Make the top few inches as fine as possible. Water thoroughly. Sow the seed thinly in drills made by pressing a lathe of wood into the surface soil to a depth of not more than half an inch. Cover lightly, but firm the soil well after covering the seed. Should the soil present a dry appearance after sowing, it should be well watered, either with a fine can or a gentle penetrating spray. Protect the beds or boxes with a light covering of tea-tree or bracken. Better still, if you coiild improvise a light frame of hessian or scrim. Such shelter will assist greatly in conserving the moisture, and help to keep it during the period of hot, dry weather. It will also prevent “baking” of the surface soil which is so fatal to seed raising. Watering. —Water regularly, and immediately the young plants appear above the ground, remove the coverings and mulch with a sifting of well-rotted stable manure, or other handy material. On no account should the bed be allowed to become dry, and during the warmer hours of the day shelter should be provided, gradually decreasing the period as the plants grow and automatically harden off. When the seedlings are big enough they may be pricked out in beds or boxes, transplanting to two inches apart. Although not generally adopted, such a plan is to be recommended. Cultivation. —When the pansy seedlings are thoroughly established they may be transplanted to the permanent beds or borders. For this purpose they should be ready towards the middle of autumn (March) provided the seed was sown in January. Set the seedlings from 9 to 12 inches apart in the rows, which should be from 15 to 18 inches apart. Guard against the ravages of slugs and snails, which are particularly fond of- this plant. Lime or lime and tobacco dust in equal parts dusted over and around the plants is good. Keep the soil well cultivated between the rows and suppress all weed growth. Water copiously during dry weather, and when the plants are firmly established in their new positions a little liquid manure will help them considerably and greatly improve the quality and colours of the blooms. Occasionally a little artificial manure, quick acting, is dusted around the plants to good advantage. Pick off all the spent blooms from time to time otherwise the flowering period will be considerably curtailed. Pansies are admirably adapted for pot culture, and make excellent tenants for window boxes. For show purposes, the energies of

the plant should be confined to a half a dozen of the most promising buds, removing all others, and feed copiously with liquid manure.