STAKE DAHLIAS AND CHRYSANTHEMUMS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 822, 16 November 1929, Page 30

STAKE DAHLIAS AND CHRYSANTHEMUMS

j Both dahlias and chrysanthemums have grown rapidly during the past I few weeks. The first-named, possess- | ing rather heavy foliage, suffer-- | severely from strong winds if they j are not well supported by stakes, j Where they are grown in new shrubj beries a few branching sticks will afI ford the necessary support as the shrubs act as a screen to a great extent. In the more open quarters stronger stakes will be necessary to supplement those fixed earlier in the ! season. If ordinary care be taken, j all. or nearly all, the stakes may be | hidden from view by the foliage, and I at the same lime afford the neees- | sarv support. In the case of cliryi santhemums growing in herbaceous j borders, the branching sticks will j support the plants sufficiently and in | such a way as to retain the natural | bushy form of each. The sticks ! should be fixed firmly in the ground i near the outside portion of each specii men. Those plants, grown in the | open ground now and intended for 1 the supply of cut blooms when the j plants are lifted and replanted under glass later in the month, need only one stake to each. SUMMER TREATMENT OF ROSES The value ot a rose in a garden depends largely upon the length of its flowering. A rose that blooms profusely for a short while and then fades away to be seen no more that year has limited charms except to the exhibitor. Too often dead blooms are merely nipped off close and a piece of leafless stalk is left. r l he better plan is to cut off with the faded bloom about 5 to 7 inches of stalk. Immediately the beauty of a flower is over, it should be cut away in this fashion. The next point is to encourage fresh growth. The first essential is moisture. If the soil is really dry each bush or tree can be given a half-bucketful to each root. It is remarkable how roses are benefited by hoeing the soil. It is bad practice to bring the hoe out only when weeds are about. Tile hoe is the most useful tool in the garden for ensuring the moisture. Feeding is the other fillip for maintained bloom production. Fertilisers are splendid. For those folk who like to concoct their own, the following is a good manure: One and ahalf parts of double superphosphate and one of ammonium sulphate. The rate is 2oz scattered well round each rose bush, preferably after rain.