STOCK FLOWERS IN WINTER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 620, 23 March 1929, Page 30

STOCK FLOWERS IN WINTER

SOW SEED NOW The time for sowing is January t March. If sown now. a quick growl may be expected, and the ilowerin period will be carried on a long time Early sowing is to be recommendec If sown in January, blooms may b expected in May and June. Wit

later sowings in March and April, flowers may be expected in July and August. Winter flowers are more valuable. Seed sowing in permanent beds will ensure an early supply of blooms, as the seedlings will 30 on without check, caused by transplanting, and earlier flowers will be had in consequence. If seed is spread out well in the late sowing, there will not be much thinning out required, and any be best to sow seed in a box with light seedlings not required for the bed may be used in forming another bed. If beds are not yet ready, it will sandy soil. It is not the best tiling to sow seeds in a bed not properly prepared. Cover the boxes with a calico frame to break the hot sun. Seedling's should not be allowed to remain in the box too long. They should be planted out as soon as ready, otherwise they will lose their vigour, and yield a poor return. The early preparation of a bed gives the weeds a chance to make an appearance, and they can be clug in and got rid of. RAISING SEEDS IN BOXES When raising seeds in boxes, it is needful to prepare a sandy soil, leaf mould ancl loam, so as to be light. Stocks raised, in boxes are said to be better if transplanted once before putting into permanent beds. Better blooms will be obtained if plants

which have been raised in a light soil of a sandy nature are put into a heaAY soil. When seed is raised in boxes, it is best to cover it with a sheet of glass which has a coat of Avhitewa.sb on one side. This may be made of lime or whiting mixed with milk, which will help it to stick. Of course, the

coated side should always be put downAvards. BroAvn paper will answer the pur pose if the glass is not available. The paper may be held in position will tacks. As soon as the young plants put in an appearance, the paper 01 glass must be removed to let in all the light possible.