CLOCHE CULTURE

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 174, 27 May 1955, Page 4

CLOCHE CULTURE

Mr Alan Merfield's Lecture Mr Alan Merfield, author of several books and many papers on cloche culture, visited Taupo to deliver a lecture on this subject in Kickit's Hall on Wednesday evening, May 18. Great interest was shown by t hose present and many questions were asked and answered-, Some interesting photographs, some taken in England, and some in New Zealand, were shown illustrating work done by the cloche culture method. There was no end, Mr Merfield explained, to the types of plants that might be grown under cloches, even grapes, passion fruit or roses, but he would speak on the growing of those of more general interest to the home gardener, such as lettuce, strawberries, tomatoes, and the raising of seedlings for the flower garden. To get full benefit from cloches they must follow advice from those who had made their use a life study. Preparation of the seed-bed was of chief importance and emphasis on organic matter in the soil could not be overlooked. As in outdoor gardening this humus made for rapid capillaration, facilitating the carrying of nutrients to the plants, the holding of moisture, and the more rapid heating of the soil, so encouraging early root formation. Watering was another important factor that must not be overlooked. After the initial watering of the seed bed, before the seeds are sown, or planted, no direct water was applied to the inside of the cloche. But, as much moisture was required by the growing plants, this must be given along with the outside edges of the cloche, or sprayed over the cloche itself, and the soil along the outside kept loose and friable, so that the moisture might get down to the roots and not drain away to other parts of the garden. Ventilation was another point in cloche culture. Plants breathe. so a certain amount of air was necessary. The cloche that Mr Merfield used in his demonstrat ion fullv provided for

much air or draughts were detriJB tal, .so that it was necessary |j glass ends to the cloche must aliil be used. Should they be using the cll right through the summer a wlij wash on the glass was necessaM prevent scalding. Plants under cloches would 5™ up to 10 degrees of -frost, after JB extra protection in the way of s3 was needed, but care must be tjfl to block all ventilation when d| ing, or severer frosts would beS under the glass. Many other points were toufl upon, and at the end of the taM felt that great benefit could befl from their use. Especially in fim where the season is somewhat latejl starting. A gain of at least six we» could be obtained and this wouj|j a great thing in the production