Second Week

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.



As plants naturally, after their season of rest during the winter, now

begin to grow, it is advisable to shift the young stock, and all others

that require it, into fresh soil, by which they will be the better

enabled to progress to a healthy-blooming state without check or

hindrance. Although from this time to the middle of March is to be

considered the most favourable season for a general shift, nevertheless

it may be necessary to shift some plants more than once or twice during

their season of growth.



Climbers.--To be attended to, removing weak and dead wood, and cutting

back to three or four eyes where an increase of young shoots is

desirable. To be frequently syringed, to keep down red spider, as they

are more liable than other plants to be infested by them.





STOVE AND ORCHID-HOUSE.



The advice given for the shifting of the general stock of greenhouse

plants will also be applicable to the fresh potting of the stove plants.



Begonias.--Being of free growth they delight in fresh soil, consisting

of equal parts of sandy loam and leaf mould. As a general rule they are

repotted in February and August; but exceptions are sometimes made, and

a shift is given whenever the roots become cramped or matted in the pot.

The knife to be used cautiously, unless with the tall-growing sorts.



Gloxinias.--To be now started, if not done as advised a fortnight ago.

When planted press the roots gently on the surface of the soil, and

give them no water for some time; as the moisture in the soil will

be sufficient at first until they begin to grow, when a little may

be given, and the supply to be gradually increased as they advance

in growth. When potted to be removed to a frame or pit where the

temperature is about 60 deg..



Luculia gratissima.--To be potted in a compost consisting of half

turfy loam, one-fourth turfy peat, and one-fourth leaf mould, with good

drainage.



Musa Cavendishii.--To be repotted in a compost of turfy loam, vegetable

soil, or well-rotted manure, and a small portion of sand, with plenty of

drainage. To be plunged in a brisk heat in a bark-bed, and to keep the

roots moist.



Many of the Orchids may now be potted, and then placed in the warmest

part of the house. The plants that are not shifted to be supplied with a

little fresh material, taking care that the embryo buds are not covered.

Look over the fastenings of all that are on blocks, or in baskets, and

renew the wires where necessary. The temperature to be about 65 deg. by

day, allowing it to range to 70 deg. or 75 deg. by sun-heat.





FORCING-HOUSES.



Cherries.--Keep up the temperature from 50 deg. to 55 deg. while the

trees are in bloom, with as little variation as possible. The trees not

in flower to be frequently syringed.



Cucumbers.--The greatest attention should be paid to the state of

the bed for the first fortnight after the plants are turned out; the

heat-stick (a stick stuck into the bed) should be examined, being, as

it is, a much better criterion to judge by than a thermometer, which

is generally used to indicate the heat of the atmosphere in the frame;

cover up according to the heat of the bed. If it will allow it, a small

portion of air should be left on every night, which may be given in the

evening after the frame has been closed for two or three hours. Keep up

the heat by stirring, renewing, or topping-up the linings; and attend

to the stopping of the plants, and the earthing-up of the hills, as the

roots make their appearance on the surface.



Melons.--Pot off the plants when the seed-leaves are fully expanded.



Peaches.--When the trees have set their fruit, give the roots, if

growing inside the house, a good watering with liquid manure, mixed with

soft hot water, so as to be of the temperature of the house, or a little

above it. The syringe to be used several times a-day in clear, mild

weather as soon as the fruit is set.



Pines.--Pot the succession plants. If the pots are full of strong,

healthy roots, pick out the crocks carefully without injuring

them, leaving the ball entire, and giving them a good shift. But if

unfortunately many of the roots are dead, shake the ball entirely away,

and cut out all that are dead, preserving such as are alive and healthy,

and potting them in fresh soil.



Strawberries.--Keep up a succession by placing a few dozen pots in a

gentle heat once every fortnight or three weeks.



Vines.--All laterals to be stopped in due time, and all useless buds and

branches to be removed; the leading shoots to be tied in regularly, and

the bunches to be thinned. No more bunches to be left on each Vine than

it is likely to bring to perfect maturity. About one dozen bunches are a

good average crop for each rod. The temperature to range from 55 deg. to

60 deg. at night, with an increase of 5 deg. to 10 deg. during the day,

and even higher during sunshine.