SPRING PROPAGATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 October 1938, Page 9

SPRING PROPAGATION

ROOTING FROM CUTTINGS. There are many plants which do infinitely better when propagated from clean cuttings than from divisions. These latter, for the most part, will already have been attended to, but there are quite a few which by reason of the lateness of their growth, cannot be secured until well on into September. Scabiosa caucasia is a typical example. This plant is actually quite easy to root from cuttings and they give infinitely better plants than do divisions, for it is invariably found, when an attempt is made to split up established clumps, that hollow-growth is slug infested. Cuttings should be taken right down to the old crown, and, provided watering can be attended to, are best rooted in pure sand in a cold frame. Where time is a consideration, a sandy compost can be substituted. The popular Salvia nemorosa virgata is another plant readily increased by cuttings of the young growths, as are teucriums, the silvery Achilleas, Campanula lactiflora and the allied Platycodon Mariesi. It will be found too, that the delightful little Californian fuchsia, Zauschneria Californica, roots far more readily from quite tiny cuttings taken from the soft young growths than it does from cuttings made later in the year when growth is hard and woody. The dwarf campanulas like C. Muralis and C. Pusilia can be multiplied freely by means of cuttings, where the growth is sufficiently long and straggling. Where the growth is shorter, lifting and dividing is the better and easier ■ method. By taking notice of the habit of growth, the keen' gardener can readily decide how best to increase many of the garden treasures. GROWING OF DAHLIAS. If a numbei- of dahlia plants are required from any one variety the best way is to take cuttings when they are about 3in long, and put each cutting in a small pot of light, sandy soil, keeping them in a warm, moist temperature where they will soon'form roots. If the cutting is taken just above its junction with the crown of the tuber, other shoots will form at the base which can be similarly struck. In this method Of propagation it is an advantage if the roots are placed on a mild hotbed as the shoots are formed and grow quicker, and they also strike more freely. If only a few plants are wanted, the root can be shortened sufficiently to allow of it being placed in a four-inch pot, and grown on until planted out in early November. Where extra good flowers, or flowers for exhibition are desired, plants grown from cuttings are usually considered best. Dahlias planted in beds should have at least 4ft of space between them, and stakes 4ft in height should be placed to each plant when permanently established. For exhibition blooms the shoots and flower buds must be trimmed out early. After the buds are formed, liquid manure in moderation, should the weather be dry, will assist in developing the flowers fully.