Garden Notes - Orange to Primula

Orange

The best kinds for ordinary greenhouses are the dwarf free-fruiting varieties, such as the Japanese, the Mandarin, and the Otaheite Orange, which are grafted plants and bear fruit when a foot or so high. They should be potted in a compost of turfy loam four parts; decayed manure, leaf-mould, peat and sand one part each. Ample drainage must be provided, and the soil well rammed about the roots, and covered with a layer of manure. Water must be given regularly and plentifully, and the temperature in winter should average about 50 degrees. 

Orchid

Odontoglossun crispum is one of the most popular of Orchids, and one which with care may be easily grown by the amateur in a cool house with a winter temperature of 45 to 50 degrees. It does best in a small pot half filled with crocks, and the other half two-thirds peat and one-third moss, sand, and charcoal. Give little water in winter; water moderately in early spring and autumn and liberally in summer, when the foliage should also be sprayed and the plant, shaded. Re-pot in February, March, or April.

Ornithogalum

The Arabian Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalun arabicum) bears large white fragrant star-like flowers. It is an excellent bulb for growing in a cool greenhouse or for forcing. For greenhouse decoration bulbs should be grown singly in small pots in light rich compost, and when growing should be set near the glass. The time of blooming can be hastened by forcing if desired. Ornithogalums may also be propagated by planting the offsets.

Zonal Pelargonium

Cuttings for summer flowering are best made in August or September, and should be about 3 inches long. Cut close up to bottom joint, and allow cut surface to dry before potting. Set eight or nine cuttings firmly in each well-drained 5 inch pot, in a compost of loam four parts, leaf-mould one part, and silver sand one part. Give little water until rooted, then transfer singly to well-drained 3 inch pots placed near the glass in airy greenhouse. Shift in due course into 5 inch pots, and pinch off growing points to ensure bushy growth.

Primula

The popular single-flowered Chinese Primula should be raised annually from seeds. Sow thinly in May, on surface of compost of leaf-mould two parts, loam one part, and sand half part, pressed firm in pan half filled with drainage. Cover with glass, and set in temperature 55 to 65 degrees; keep moist, and shade from sun. Transplant one inch apart when leaves form, and when leaves touch transplant singly into 2 inch pots and finally into 5 inch pots in cold frame. Apply liquid manure, and sprinkle foliage regularly. In September remove to temperature 50 to 55 degrees for flowering.