File:Florists' review (microform) (16057097523).jpg

Title: Florists' review (microform)
Identifier: 5205536_13 (find matches)
Year: [1] (s)
Authors:
Subjects: Floriculture
Publisher: Chicago : Florists' Pub. Co
Contributing Library: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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>• T f U56 The Weekly Florist^i^ Review* Apbil 21, 1904. normal summer and autunui. But still, there are few subjects in the outsiile garden that give a lengthier or a brighter display. I would like to see growers give, as a rule, a little more attention to the cultural needs of their cactus dah- lias. It appears to me that gardeners generally are behind the exhibitor in tliis matter. For instance, one could wish that the same care be taken in propa- gating young stock, and in growing them on under glass into nice sturdy plants, •well rooted, in. 6-inch, or even larger, pots, by planting'-out" time7 in the same way that we find chrysanthemums man- aged in their early stages. The results mrould be more encouraging. Instead of thia, we too often find the old roots of ■dahlias stored away under the Ixnches, brought out in spring, cut into pieces, planted, and the same process followed year after year. Cactus dahlias like plenty of room when growing. It is well not to have a plant closer than four feet to its neighbor. A soil deeply dug, aaid well worked, suits them better than one rich in manures. The latter has a ten- dency to produce too much leaf. But tion. Disbudding the blooms of cactus dahlias may readily be overdone. In the case of most sorts this means of gain- ing nicely-shaped flowers will defeat our object, and instead we obtain blooms with faulty centers. In the matter of the best buds, I have especially noticed this. The buds, as a rule, are thrown up in threes. Now, the central one^ which looks like giving the finer bloom, usually finishes inferior to the side ones in form, as well as in the stiffness and length of the stems. And, again, it is important that the growing shoots im- mediately under the flower buds be re- moved, because if left they will grow faster than the buds, and smother them. I would, however, leave the lower shoots. These advance eventually, and continue the display of flowers. Improved varieties of cactus dahlias are being produced so rapidly that it is rare any one lasts longer than three or four years, that is if we have a desire to cultivate the best. It may be well to first name the certificated varieties of the past year, because it is certain there are among them some very choice things. Certificates at other than the real dahlia
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Alocasia Illustris, manures placed on the suiface in sum- mer time, when the flower buds are swelling, are not easily overdone. A good foundation to a well-grown plant should be made by thinning the growth when young. Select about four side shoots to form main stems subse- quently, then tie each to a sepa- rate stake, pointing iu an outward direc- societies and the Royal Horticultural Society are not counted. They are mis- leading, and have little value: Comet, pink, speckled crimson; Dainty, lemon- yellow, shaded pink; Florence M. Stred- wick, white; George Gordon, orange- yellow; H. W. Sillem, vermilion-red; Ladv Colin Campbell, orange-yellow; Laurette, yellow, edged red; Mrs. H. L. Brousson, yellow, shaded salmon; Mrs. J. W. Wilkinson, light pink; Pearl, bright pink, lighter tips; Premier, crim- son-scarlet; Rainbow, soft pink; Sirius, yellow, speckled crimson; Sweet Nell, blush-pink; Violetta, violet-rose.—Gar- deners' Magazine. ALOCASIA ILLUSTRIS. Among the highest authorities there is some confusion whether this most orna- mental plant is an alocasia or colocasia. Alocasias, colocasias and caladiums are closely allied. The difference is some slight variation in the flower or fruit character. Broadly, we would say that the alocasias are evergreen and the colo- casias herbaceous. We all know the beautiful fancy-leaved caladiums that are herbaceous. More familiar still is the so-called Caladium esculentum, which is not a caladium but a coloi and familiar to all lovers of plants is^ Alocasia cuprea (metallica). The above* are types of these three closely allied genera. Nicholson classes illustris as an alocasia, so let it go at that. During the Pan-American year a cir- cular bed of this most ornamental plant could be seen in front of the park super- intendent's residence, on Elmwood ave- nue, Buffalo, where thousands traveled to the show. The illustration will give a better idea of its form than any de- scription. The color of the leaves is a rich dark green, with olive black spots or patches, but no description can give an adequate idea of the subdued but rich coloring. It is herbaceous. As soon as the frost has injured the foliage, the rhizomes, for they are more that than tubers, should be lifted and laid out on some dry, warm bench till the leaves have dried up. Then they should be stored away in dry sand in sonae position where drip cannot reach and where the temperature does not go below 50 degrees at any time. They are by no means as easy to winter as Cala- dium esculentum and should be occasicn- ally examined and if, in January or later, they are showing signs of decay, it is better to start them growing at once. Wh«n starting them into growth is the time tx> increase your stock. A piece of the root with a dormant bud can be started in a flat of three inches of sand and when growth has progressed put into suitable sized pot, or you can pot the roots at once into light, sandy soil, but in either case a gentle bottom heat is necessary. They should not be planted out if useii for sub-tropical gardening, till settled warm weather, for they are a tropical plant. A rich, friable, well drained soil mth plenty of water is what they want during our warm, dry months. As a sub- tropical bedding plant, I know no rival to the beautiful Alocasia illustris. William Sc»tt. PANDANUS AS A TABLE PLANT. In Pandanus Veitchii we have an ideal plant for table work, that is, if properly colored leaves are to be had. I would deviate from the usual method of propa- gating this, which is generally in a close and warm case in the stove. First, ob- tain good-colored offsets or suckers; in- sert these in thumb-pots of sand, and place on a shelf in the stove house. You will find that the general routine of the I stove will afford sufficient moisture for

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