THE RHODODENDRON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 September 1939, Page 3

THE RHODODENDRON

THINGS WORTH NOTING. Dhodonedrons are associated with azaleas as they belong to the same genus. They are justly classed among the most beautiful and attractive of ever-green flowering shrubs and are well worthy of any special preparations that are necessary to grow them' to perfection. In uncongenial soils the plants soon exhibit unhealthy symptoms. The common ponticum, however, is an exception and will thrive under almost adverse conditions. It is useless to attempt growing rhododendrons in undrained soils, unless special preparation of the holes is made by filling in with about 12in of scoria, on top of which another 18in of prepared soil, consisting of good loam and leaf mould in about equal quantities with some coarse sand. Rhododendrons require partial shade during the summer. To provide this, the planting among them of Japanese flowering cherries or other suitable deciduous subjects is desirable. In ordinary well-drained soils of a loamy, sandy of volcanic nature, in which the roots can penetrate freely, little or no preparation, except incorporating some leaf mould or peat when digging the holes is needed. Of late years, numerous hybrids have been evolved by the crossing and intercrossing of several of the species. The beautiful flowered Pink Pearl, a recent achievement among large-flow-ered forms, has already been superseded by some still more distinctive and meritorious novelties. New introductions from China, embodying distinct characteristics, have still further increased the interest and popularity of the rhododendrons.

Lime in the soil is fatal to nearly all the varieties. Deep digging around the plants, which disturbs the mass of surface? roots, and rich manuring are'also harmful. A little dry broken-up cow dung may be added to the soil, while a surface mulch should be applied during the hot, dry, summer weather. Owing to the mass of fibrous roots, planting may be done at almost any time of the year provided water and shade can be applied in hot, dry weather. For ordinary garden purposes it is quite safe to transplant till the end of September and if showery weather prevails until the end of October.

SWEET PEA “STREAK” MALADY. Probably no malady of sweet peas has created so much discussion as that known as “streak.” Its appearance is that of brown lines running down the stem of the plant, and stricken examples become fuzzy-headed and fail to give of their best. In the opinion of the writer, streak is largely due to heavily manured soil, in which the plant food has not become intimately incorporated with the general compost. In particular, the sandwich method of preparing sweet pea trenches is to be deprecated. When the roots reach masses of manure, they are sickened, and this result is shown above ground by brown streaks. In addition, the trench method, especially in heavy soils, collects water in such a season as we are experiencing at present, and this again is prejudicial to healthy root action. Deep cultivation is essential, but.it is better to trench a wide area, rather than provide a deep ditch for one row. Having tried both methods, the writer can thoroughly recommend the wide trenching ’ system in districts with heavy rainfall. SALADS KEEP A REGULAR SUPPLY. A regular supply of salad is considered essential in most households, few things being more keenly relished during the summer time. At some tables the salad is thought as important as the dessert, and, like the latter, it requires to be not only good to eat, but pleasant fo look upon. The best qualities of the produce can only be fully developed by the timely observance of a few rules of cultivation. Whatever is destined for the salad bowl should be grown as quickly as is consistent with the nature of the plant and the season of the year. Cultivation should be of a clean-- and wholesome nature throughout, an,d the plants allowed room for full developments. By this means crisp., juicy and fresh materials can be provided. The use of sewage is io be deprecated under any circumstances and even ordinary liquid manure should not be used in the finishing stages of growth. If manure is needed let it be applied to the ground before the plants are put in,, or in other words make your soil as rich as possible before planting or sowing/ The secret of "French gardening” and the wonderful lettuce and other vegetables that are grown by this method is due to the fact that the soil is actually a compost of decaying vegetable matter. When one of these gardens is sold) or leased this soil is sold as a quite separate item to the land. Such compost, of course, can be expensive if one tried to cover a large section, but a sufficient area, a foot deep, on which to grow the family supply of saladings is not beyond the resource of the average garden.