SWEET PEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 January 1939, Page 9

SWEET PEAS

HOW TO CARE FOR THEM.

When growing sweet peas on the cordon system for exhibition purposes, the beginner may find the task of removing the laterals very irksome at first, but the knack of rubbing them out with the finger and thumb is soon acciuired. The tendrils also should be removed as they are likely to interfere with the straightness of the stems, and’will cause kinks where they take hold of the flower stems.

In the early part of the season, especially after continuous rain, ■ bud dropping may occur, but this is only a temporary trouble, and will cease with more favourable weather conditions. Keep the surface soil well stirred by the constant use of the push hoe. In a dry period this is as good as a watering, as it conserves the moisture in the soil.

Do not overfeed the plants in an endeavour to obtain large flowers or stout stems, because coarseness, and often disease, will result. Weak doses of liquid manure (one part liquid, diluted with three or four times its bulk of water( and soot water, which also improves the colour, may be given during the flowering period. If possible, apply it between showers. Evening is the best time to gather the flowers for show purposes, but they should be dry when picked. Gather the carmine and rose shades last, as these do not improve in water. As a rule, blue do improve, and, as they liable to spot in rain, cut as early as possible before the show. Aim at showing blooms which have a freshness of colour about them, but do not cut the scarlet cerise shades too near the bud stage, as the top flower may open a lighter shade in water.