O u t l o o k


ALBERT HARTLEY tells how to make your flowering Christmas present last


POT plants for the Christmas trade are now available at garden centres, and will in due course be given and received by many people as a most acceptable


many presents; always pro­ vided we treat them with the care they d eserv e. These plants are grown in vast numbers by the whole­ sale growers under con­ trolled conditions. Often, alas, very different from conditions provided in our homes. In winter, daylight is at a


Christmas present. They will last longer than


O n e f o r t h e p o t


premium, and as it is essen­ tial for plant growth, keep your plants near windows in daytime. Remove at dusk, as between glass and heavy curtains on a cold frosty night is enough to give any plant pneumonia and pre­ mature death. Be careful watering and endeavour to place the pot on a bed of gravel and keep this moist so that the plant, can take up m o is tu re by c ap ill ia ry action. Avoid violent changes in


tem p e ra tu re , ideally 50 degrees F in daytime, and avoid direct sunshine which even in winter can send the


favourite winter pot plant, hut they do best when kept cool, not above 50 degrees, o th e rw is e Lhe g row th becomes drawn, weak and floppy when subject to high temperatures. After flow­ ering, allow the foliage to die down, and after two or three months rest in dry soil.


purchase such plants such feeding has ceased and the plant may soon starve to death. My advice therefore is to inspect the root system and if already pot bound, repot in a size larger pot using.]I No.2, to provide some food for your plant, and furthermore to add say one teaspoonful of Baby Bio or Tomato Liquid fertilizer to one gallon of water when watering your plant. C y c 1 a m e n a r c m y


years by the large-scale growers does concern me somewhat. The plants are grown in a peat-based com­ post in rather small pots which is fine when on a large scale, because the plants are grown on a base which is fed with an accura­ tely formulated culture solution, and it is of little consequence when the plant becomes pot bound. However when you and I


temperature rocketing. A development in recent


favourite th a t enjoys a peaty compost that must never be allowed to dry out. After flowering these can be grown on out of doors in summer to continue to flower again after re-pot­ ting in autumn.


They can be started into growth in fresh soil for the following year. Azalea Indica is another


d e se rv ed ly popular pot plant around Christmas, often bearing a mass of bright magenta,coloured flowers, and is ideal for hanging baskets too. This plant is an epyphyte, grow­ ing on the barks of large trees with plenty of organic food and the dropping of birds and small mammals to feed upon and in summer time will appeciate a spell out of door before re-potting in autumn.


The Christmas cactus is a UK D I S P L A Y SEE OUR SPLENDID


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i Quality artificial Christmas Trees, Baubles, Fairy Lights, Outdoor Lantern Lights, Tree Decorations, Novelties, Garlands, Hanging Decorations, Wall Decorations, Tinsel, Candles, Crackers, Balloons, Poppers, etc.


bearing masses of pink or orange coloured flowers are long lasting and have lovely foliage but are unlkely to flower as profusely in suc­ ceeding years, and are best discarded after flowering as are indeed the popular “pop mums” i.e. dwarf chrysan­ themums. Have a Happy Christmas and give one to your plants. □


Kalanchoc Bossfieldiana,


CLAY JONES, author, broadcaster, TV personality and chairman of ‘Gardeners’ Question Time’ asks “Why not grow your own berries?“.


D E C EM B E R m e a n s Christmas and no Christ­ mas is complete without mince pies, crackers, the turkey, the tree, carol singers, the occasional tipple and, of course,


holly berries. So why not grow your


own berries! It’s as easy as falling off a yule log, provid­ ing you remember that not all holly trees are capable of berrying and that you need to be patient. Some hollies carry male


f low e r s only and a re required to pollinate those that bear female flowers only. For example, GOLDEN


many to choose from. Take a look at the NORDMANN FIR (Abies Nordmanniana) with its elegant bluish-grey foliage which will remain long after the festivities are over; or if you prefer rooted Christmas tree s , then a young NORWAY SPRUCE is the best choice. Keep it cool with mois­


without another holly in sight. As for the tree, there are


ture at its root, spray regu­ larly and transplant remem­ bering th a t it will still require plenty of water until well es tab l ish ed in the garden.


Q U E EN is m a le and GOLDEN KING female. Daft, isn’t it! So, if you plant both, their variegated foliage will be constantly b e a u t i f u l , b u t o n ly GOLDEN KING will bear lovely red berries. However, Lhe variety JC


required, then there will be plenty to choose from at reputable garden centres. There are some extremely life-like products on sale anil they do have one added advantage — they last for years. Anything that flowers in


I


VAN TOL has both male and female flowers on the same tree, so if you have room for only one, this one will give you berries galore


And, if an artificial tree is


A h o m e - g r o w n X m a s


18'Fl from China, its bright yellow flowers on long s len d e r b ranches bring colour to the garden from November to February. It will cascade down over


Introduced way back in


banks and clamber up trellis to sev e ra l fee t, hiding unsightly walls as it travels. Container-grown plants can be planted in flower and will make their home with you very quickly and easily.


TOPICAL TIPS.


mid-winter when life in the garden is virtually at a standstill, has my vote — and that includes winter jasmine.


• PLACE a cloche over your Christmas rose to keep the petals pure white and free from unsightly Splashes of soil. Cut the flowers just below the petals, float them in a shallow dish of water and place it on your Christ­ mas table. • A little gentle digging on Boxing Day will dispel the dyspeptic gloom th a t fol­ lows over-indulgence. • Prune established fruit trees and spray with tar oil winter wash to kill overwin­ tering nasties lurking in the bark. • Plan your next y ea r ’s garden and allotment and select your seeds at your local garden centre. BARKERS PRIMROSE NURSERIES AND GAR­ DEN CENTRE. □


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V r D A H I V t H O P R IM R O S E N U R S E R IE S a n d G A RD E N C E N T R E


WHALLEY ROAD, CLITHEROE. Tel. 23521' i


. Opan w v in daya a wNk, workdays 8-30 a.m. to 5-30 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.f Also Clltheroe Market


L .'tr- ■ ■..V. ■Air •. v »ep. 'f tA '


17


There’s a Victorian Christmas at Burnley’s Weavers’ Triangle Visitor Centre


Outlook. — o u t e v e r y 'M .


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