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The Garden.

Striking Cuttings. What is understood by a cutting is any portion of a plant taken from another which can be induced to throw out roots and shoots, thus beginning a new existence as a separate plant. The portions of a plant that are taken for this purpose from the sides of the parent arc small ; bub long shoots which are cut into several pieces will succeed equally as well as the short shoots, provided that each piece contains two or three buds. The best part for making roots on the small shoots is that part which was immediately attached to the parent plant. The shoot should be carefully cut from the branch, leaving a small heal of the old wood attached if possible. Tho&e shoots which are cut into several parts, as I have said, should have at least two buds — one at the top of the cutting, and another at the bottom. A complete plant consists of three parts — a root, a stem, and leaves. At the part where the leaves join the stem a bud is always developed or dormant, and will under proper condition grow into a shoot having similar buds and leaves on its sides. At the base of these buds roots are more readily formed than at any other part of the plant ; when making the cutting, therefore, always cut off to just immediately under the base of the leaves. The rootlets as a rule will be iound coming out of that part. In striking cuttings only one of these buds need be placed under ground. The soil best adapted for striking cuttings in is a light porous one, or pure sand alone will do. Light soil prevents the base of the cutting from being too moist, and admits the air better. Immediately the cutting has formed a new root and has started to grow it can be re-potted or planted out in stronger soil. Aftercuttingshave been placed in the soil they should be watered, and until fairly rooted they should be kept shaded from the sun's rays, while at the same time they are allowed the full benefit of the heat geneiated by them. Sheets of old newspapers suit admirably under glass. Out in the open a piece of old calico on the branches of a tree will do.

Sowing Seed. In sowing flower and other small seed ino&t people make the mistake of coveringit too deeply in the soil. Seed only requires to be deep enough to secure an even quantity of moisture during its germination. The state of the soil while sowing should be looked to. It should neither be wet nor dry, but damp. If it is necessary to give any water to the earth, it is better to apply the water a few hours before sowing, so as to make it uniformly damp throughout. After sowing slightly cover the seed with a sprinkling of a similar damp soil. If possible, where small seed is sown it is important that the soil should be of a light character. Where the soil is of a heavy, close, or tenacious nature, the soil for covering the seed should be a mixture of sand, leaf-mould, or well-rotted manure mixed with some light rich soil ; this mixture will greatly assist the germination of j the seed. If the soil be too heavy it surrounds the seed too closely and prevents access of air, which is absolutely necessary for germination. The above is only imitating what nature does for itself. After seed is shed from the larger trees or smallest plants, the leaves die and fall ; they decay, ferment, and give out heat ; they rot and pulverise and lightly cover the seed, protecting it during the winter, and furnishing it with a nice, light, easily-nenetrated covering suitable for germinating'find growing in when the spring comes round. Warmth hastens the germination of most kinds of seeds, and most people who have only a few seeds can easily procure a little extra heat beyond what is to be obtained Out in the open border. Those who only sow a few seeds for pot or box culture on the window or verandah can easily obtain plenty of heat by placing the boxes or pots on a warm shelf in the kitchen, where they can be kept till the young plants attain a height of about two to three inches. Then they can be hardened off gradually so as to stand the atmosphere in the open. Those with larger collections can easily get an old packing case, place their boxes or pots therein, and put a window sash over the top, giving a little air when the sun is shining strong upon }t, taking off the sash at night. It matters not how extra heat is obtained ; try and make it as uniform as possible, as sudden changes from a hot to a cold temperature are very injurious.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TAN18871015.2.12

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 224, 15 October 1887, Page 1

Word count
Tapeke kupu
820

The Garden. Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 224, 15 October 1887, Page 1

The Garden. Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 224, 15 October 1887, Page 1

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