CAULIFLOWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 554, 5 January 1929, Page 24

CAULIFLOWER

ARE YOUR PLANTS BACKWARD?

The whole secret of success in growing cauliflowers is to keep them moving, for once they receive a check they never seem to recover. As soon as any sign of a slowing down of growth is perceived liqv.\l manure should be applied, or, better still, sulphate of ammonia, one tablespoon to a gallon watering can of water. Don’t allow the ground to become dry, but keep it moist so that the plants can draw up as much of the food in the soil as they require. In the young stage they will be much

benefited by an inch mulch, spread all over the bed, of stable manure, and this will help to keep them moist during the dry autumn months. As they approach maturity 3 x ou will perhaps notice that they are liable to assume a burnt or brownish appearance, which is due to sunburn. The flower must be protected in some way, and we find that there is none better than to draw up the leaves and tie them together above the flower. To grow good cauliflowers is one of the tricks of vegetable growing that must be mastered by experience, but once the gardener has got the hang of the way it is done he will find success come along year after year, and he will always have on hand a good supply of flowers for his table and a few nice large ones which he can proudly present to his more unsuccessful friends

A HARDY FERN The ordinary fishbone fern is one of the most useful and hardy growers for planting outside, though it will grow in almost auy place in the garden. Partial shade provides ideal conditions.

WHEN TO PICK PASSION FRUIT Pick the fruit when it begins to “crinkle.” It is then ripe and sweet. We often find the fruit picked before it reaches this stage, and it is frequently very tart and unattractive.

THE QUESTION BOX Any inquiries by our readers on tbe subject of gardening will be answered in our “Question Box" column in the following Saturday’s issue. All letters must be addressed to the Garden Editor and forwarded to THE SUN Office on or before every Wednesday. Any specimen to be named must be packed securely in a strong box to prevent crushing in transit.

CAUTION! No garden, large or small, should be without a spraying outfit. Suitable spraying material can be purchased at reasonable prices, with directions for use. Keep in mind that the manufacturer of these preventatives aDd cures has the best knowledge of what they contain, and directions printed on the containers should be strictly adhered to, otherwise more damage than good will be done. Hundreds of plants and trees are annually killed through using over-strong sprays.