EARLY FLOWERING PLANTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 April 1939, Page 9

EARLY FLOWERING PLANTS

CUT THEM BACK. One of the principal aims in the life of a plant is to produce and ripen seeds in order that it may reproduce its kind. To this end, much of the energy is concentrated. If the plant is artificially prevented from completing its natural course it will make some attempt to start the cycle of growth, flowering and seed bearing afresh. The gardener turns this natural phenomenon to practical account when he cuts back the early summer flowering border and bedding plants, as soon as the first blooms have faded. By this means a second display is encouraged later in the season. Even in the case of later flowering subjects, which would have no time to perfect a second crop of blooms in the same season, there i e considerable advantage to be gained from judicious pruning immediately after flowering. By preventing seed formation, which invariably places a great strain on the plant’s reserves of strength, further growth is encouraged. The existing shoots are stiffened up and have a better chance of ripening fully in preparation for the next year's display. Such cutting back should not be carried too far. It is undesirable to remove a great deal of foliage at this season. Leaves are essential to the well-being of any plant, for not only do they enable it to “breathe," taking in carbon dioxide and giving off oxygen, but they also' perform the marvellous function known to scientists as “photo-synthe-sis.” by which raw chemicals obtained by the roots from the soil, are changed into complex plant foods, such as starch, sugar, etc. For these reasons, it is better to confine the cutting back operations to the removal of faded flowers and flower stems.

After the cutting back, the plants may be stimulated to make fresh growth by surface cultivation and judicious feeding. These two methods of assistance also can be profitably applied to the naturally late blooming plants. A little discretion is necessary, for it is not advisable at this season, of the year to apply too much nitrogen to the soil, the reason being that this valuable plant food, if given in excess, is apt to cause soft, sappy growth, liable to serious damage by cold and winter.

To avoid such disaster, a well-bal-anced diet is required, containing correct proportions of the three principal plant foods —nitrogen, phosphates and potash. Those who prefer to mix their own manures, will find a blend of four parts superphosphate, two parts sulphate of ammonia and one part of sulphate of potash, quite a good mixture for most flowering plants, used at the rate of from one to two ounces per square yard. If used as a liquid manure from half to one ounce should be added to each gallon of water. These ingredients should be fresh and thoroughly mixed before use. All lumps should be broken up carefully. <"' scv ’ ere scorching of the roots and leaves may result.