PANSIES FOR SHOW

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 880, 25 January 1930, Page 30

PANSIES FOR SHOW

“Pansies for thought!” Have you ever thought how marvellously beautiful they are? Have you thought that no garden is complete without them? The pansy, always a universal favourite, is at present enjoying an unprecedented wave of popularity. Pansies are fashionable both for garden decoration and as cut flowers for bowls and posies. Although usually regarded as winter and spring flowering varieties, they may be had in bloom throughout the year by making several plantings. They delight in a heavy soil and a cool, moist atmosphere, in a partially shaded position, but will also do well in any part of the garden. It is truly astonishing to see the improvement that selection has made in the pansy. But a few years ago there was no such thing as distinct coloured pansies or very well defined markings in the flowers, and if by chance a flower of special merit was obtained, it was perpetuated in cuttings. Now many distinct colours are saved separately, and they have become so well established that plants of any desired colour can be raised from seed as accurately as from cuttings. April is, on the whole, the best time to get plants from the nursery, as by •that time they can he planted out with safety. The secret of obtaining fine blooms is not to allow many stems to grow on one plant (four are sufficient), and on each stem only one, or at most two, blooms or buds should be allowed at a time. These must be protected from heavy rains by small covers being placed over ■them. They are generally made of small pieces of bent tin or stiff pasteboard, fastened to a short stake. A liberal sprinkling of tobacco dust round the plants will prevent snails making a home under the foliage and devouring the blooms. Bath’s Empress and Masterpiece are two giant-flowered varieties that lend themselves to easy cultivation.