This fall, when all your plants are wilting outdoors, build up a collection ofindoorgreenery. Small trees and flowering plants in unusualpots and baskets make a lovely backdropfor entertaining. And it s always great to have thatperfect littleplant on hand when you receive an unexpected dinner invitation. Get yourcollection growing today at Clargreen.
Editorial/5
All tht wiggles isn t sprayed/6
Diagnose your own house plant problems/10
The 1978 All-America Selections/12
Avocado/17
Houseplant ofthe Month/18
A Unique Honour/20
Library/21
Puzzle/22
Spring Flower & Garden Show
Photo courtesy Garden Club of Toronto
Lawrence C. Sherk (Chairman), James Floyd, Richard Hook, Jerry Maccabe.
Editor Sid Morris
Graphics and Printing Drewmark Graphics, Toronto
General lnformatlon ISSN0380-1470
* Trellisis publishedinthe monthsofJanuary, March, May, July, September, and November and distributed on or about the 15th of the month previous by the Civic Garden Centre, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Don Mills, Ontario M3C 1P2. The Centre is located in Edwards Gardens, at Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East, the geographical centre of Metropolitan Toronto. It is a non-profit gardening and floral arts information organization with open membership. Subscriptions to Trellis are only available through Centre membership ($10 per year). Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of the Centre. This is Volume 5, Numberd,.
How to keep houseplants happy? Gardens glowing?Shrubs scintillating? Lawns luxurious? Join us and find out all this and more. At The Civic Garden Centre you ll be among friends, people who share the same interests you do in gardening and horticultural things.
As a Civic Garden Centre member, you enjoy free borrowing privileges in the new Horticultural Library s over 3,000gardeningbooks. You save 10% on purchases in the new Garden and Book Shops, over $2. You enroll in members only special horticultural and flower arrangingclasses. You receivesix issuesof Trellis magazine mailed to your home each year.
Care for more details? Call 445-1552 now.
The executive director has decided to change the editorial approach of Trellis and therefore, this will be the last issue edited by me. [wish the neweditor every success in makingTrellisaviablepublication.
May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, And the rains fall soft upon your fields, And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
(An Old Irish Verse)
Sid Morris
Please take notice that an Annual Meetingof the members of the Civic Garden Centre will be held at 8.00 p.m. on APRIL 19, 1978 at the Civic Garden Centre, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Don Mills, Ontario for the purposeof: 1) Considering and approving the annual accounts ofthe Centre (which are available for inspection at the Centre s office); 2) The election of Directors; 3) The appointment of an auditor; and 4) Such other business as may come before the meeting.
Visit Us In Our New Location See Our Excellent Selection of o Horticultural Books for all e Bird Study Books Interests and Ages e Gift Book Suggestions ® Nature Craft Books .
Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 9:30 - 4:00 Wed. 9:30 - 9:00 Sat. 10:00 - 4:00 Sun. & Holidays 1:00 - 4:00 We Fill Mail and Phone Orders Promptly
Richard Hook a member of the Board ofDirectors for The Civic Garden Centre.
If it moves I spray it!
This is the approach to gardening that a friend of mine has used over the past six years. Last summer he spilled a bottle of Cygon in his car, he became interested in birds and realized that garden chemicals were costing him over $130. per year. This encouraged him to rethink his philosophy toward the use of pesticides.
Only a small proportion of plant pests require spraying and usually these are on specialized plants grown for their flawlessness (apples and roses, for example) and house plants growing in the absence of natural predators. Comparatively few insects cause serious plant damage in the average garden. Many of those that are plant pests are controlled by natural predators, various cultural practices and time.
Is it worth trying to control them?
Anyone who studies entomology is constantly impressed by the number of natural predators that tend to keep common pests in check. Insectivorous insects, parasitic wasps, and a broad range of natural diseases take their toll on most plant pests. This is particularly true in the case of aphids and mites which are present almost everywhere in the garden but only rarely do they pose a serious threat
to our trees and shrubs. Although aphids may be found in large numbers on willow trees, the damage they cause make them hardly worth spraying. On spirea, they cause foliage discolouration which is quite minor. Similarly they cause minor petiole swellings in the petioles of poplar. On snow balls only a very small proportion of leaves are distorted. We find them on the stems of many other plants but very often before they have done serious damage they themselves have been destroyed by ladybird beetles and other small carnivores. Still, on roses, dahlias, and a number of other flowering plants produced for individual bloom, a spray program is usually necessary.
Equally omnipresent are mites which can do a good deal of minor damage but rarely cause death to plants in the garden. They cause small red swellings on the surface of maple leaves and a number of other minor gall conditions that rarely warrant spraying. When we bring these inside, however, we have an entirely new problem! Mint plants, for example, commonly have minor mite infestations in the garden. When mint plants are brought inside, however, the natural predators are excluded and the mites usually kill their host in a matter of weeks.
Any plant being introduced into the house should be scrutinized closely if you wish to prevent continuing infestations of aphids, mites, scale, whiteflies and other common insect pests of house plants. This is especially serious in fall when you are saving those treasured plants from the first frost. Inspect each plant very closely. Be on the lookout for telltale signs of eggs, webbing , any unnatural lack of vigor and foliage malformation. If none ofthese is present, we still cannot assume the plant to be clean. It should be brought into a isolation area which may be a reasonably light window in the basement, the rear entrance or a warm garage. It is most unwise in the process to bring these plants near your other house plants. Only -after a two- or three-week incubation period will mite damage or aphids become obvious. It is only at times such as this that you should have to spray.
In the garden pruning is probably one of the most effective ways of minimizing disease and insect problems. The retension of vigorous twigs andbranches and the removal of interferring, closely growing, old, dead and broken twigs will greatly improve any woody plants. Generally this permits air circulation and sun penetration which minimizes the damp, stagnant atmosphere in which many diseases and insects thrive. This is especially noticeable in fruit trees. On several occasions | have carried out pruning experiments on my own apples to show that as much as 85% improvement in fruit quality is possible with effective pruning and no spraying whatsoever.
Pruning can be effective for a number of insect and disease problems in the early stages. The nests of eastern tent caterpillar, fall webworm, euonymus and juniper webworm and bagworm should be pruned off and burned or destroyed. This technique is equally effective on the egg cases of many foliageeating caterpillars, limbs killed by bronze birch bores, spruce damage caused by gall aphids and of many other garden pests.
Fertilizing is another effective method of minimizing disease and insect infestations. Healthy plants will tend to be more resistent to the effects of most plant pest attacks. A vigorous lawn, well fertilized annuals, and well-fed woody plants are less prone to being seriously damaged.
Over fertilizing with nitrogen, however, can have the opposite effect! Plant growth with lush, dark green, vigorous, soft, thin-cuticled foliage is particularly susceptible to pest attack. The thin cuticle and the lush, juicy foliage cannot resist disease infestation nor can it mask insect damage. Any attack seems to spread quickly and appears more serious than it might on properly fertilized plants. The best advice is to refrain from exceeding manufacturer s directions when applying nitrogen fertilizer.
Garden cultivation does more than merely control weeds. Along with grasshoppers and walking sticks, many small insects lay their eggs in fall in the surface debris or just below the soil surface. When we cultivate the surface we break up egg cases and expose them to the elements so that they die over the
April 1 and 2
The Oakville African Violet Society is holding its annual show Violets Around the World at the Oakville Centennial Library,Auditorium, Navy Street, Oakville April 1 from 1:30to 5:30 p.m. and April 2 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Admission $1.00. Plants and supplies for sale to public.
Obtain a copyatanyof the 5Toronto Sheridan Garden Centres
CUSTOM LANDSCAPE GARDENING
GROUNDS MAINTENANCE COMPLETE LANDSCAPING SERVICES TREE REMOVAL e PRUNING e SPRAYING WAYNE RAY 463-5819 MEMBER OF LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
Specializing in Exotic Orchid Plants
167 Carlton St. Toronto, Ont.
M5A 2K3 (416)9617335 to Sunday Wednesday 10:30am to 6:30pm
winter. Certainly many larvae left on the surface for a few minutes will be eliminated by birds. In fall, when a garden is being dug over or ploughed, eggs and larvae may be buried so deeply the insects die before reaching the surface the following spring.
While grubs, especially june beetle larvae, are found in almost any soil that was formerly covered with grass. If one is creating a vegetable garden in turf areas it - could be well worthwhile to cultivate the site for one full growing season prior to planting vegetables. Such soil-born insects will starve, or at least move, in the meantime.
If you can t grow it, don t plant it!
Some plants are almost impossible to keep free of insect pests, while others require a good deal ofwork in order to keep them healthy. Any grower of roses must expect aphids. Without chemical control birches and arborvitae will continue to have leafminers, spruce will have aphids, mites and borers and gladiolus will have thrips. The home gardener who wants to grow with a minimum of work, worry and pesticides would be well advised to, refrain from growing insect susceptible plants.
In my opinion, the carefully planned garden should incude plant species that aré rarely injured by garden pests. These include Austrian pine, yews, Ginkgo trees, caragana, Ajuga, sorbaria, Siberian iris and vinca.
Are chemicals going to help?
Certainly many of us are spraying pesticides in the hope of controlling insects that are almost impossible to kill. The small pod-like galls that swell sunburst locust leaflets, the tiny red swellings on the surface of
silver maple leaves, the borers in the trunks of black locust and the insects that on occasion kill the leaders of cutleaf birches are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to control chemically.
But sometimes we must spray! If you must spray consult the excellent publications available through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food or the Ontario Government Bookstore on Bay Street just south of Wellesley. In my opinion, the two most useful references are Insect and Disease control in the Home Garden (1977/1978) and Common Pests of Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. Both of these are available for under $3. The grower of house plants might look over the accompanying diagnosis chart . If you have any problems that you still cannot identify, bring them to the Plant Clinic to be held at the Centre on March 29th & 30th, 1978.
A hobby without peer for leisure, home beauty and livability a garden that blooms all year with only a few hours care each week.
Qur catalogue contains dozens of full colour photos of prefabricated greenhouses in lifetime aluminum. With it you can choose a greenhouse that is sure to harmonize with your home.
Write for your copy today!
LORD & BURNHAM CO. LIMITED
Dept. T, 325 Welland Ave., St. Catharines, Ontario
Pale green foliage, andslight ~ Too little nitrogen yellowing
Too little iron
Dark green leaveswithbrown Potash deficiency patches
Too much water
Leaves with brown margins ~ Very low humidity
Exposure to drafts
Slight purple streaking of Phosphate deficiency
Add a balanced or high nitrogen fertilizer
Add a fertilizer product that contains iron (e.g. iron sulphate)
Add a balancedor high last-number fertilizer or bonemeal
Ensure that the plant roots are well drained
Raise humidity above 30%-35% for most houseplants
Ensure that the plant is not near an open window or a hot air vent
Add a high phosphate content the leaves fertilizer (high middle number)
Long, pale, slender stems
with long internodes
Leaves wilting
Too little light
Too little water
Too much water
Mites
Dusty looking foliage
Dust
Mites
Move the plant gradually into the the light over a 10 to 15 day period
Moisten the plant thoroughly and allow it to drain
Ensure the plant roots are not sitting in water
Spray with a garden pest control aerosal containing a miticide such as Aramite , Kelthan or Malathion
Fine spray the foliage with lukewarm water. Large smooth plant leaves may be wiped carefully with a soft moist cloth
Spray with miticide
Twisting and curling of leaves
Plants dying at the base near the soil line
Single leaves turning brown and dropping
Sucking insects such as aphids or mites.
Basal rot
Spray with an aerosal containing Malathion
Reduce watering; allow the surface ofthe soil to dry betweenwaterings; ensure the plant roots are not standing in water; if posible remove decayed area with a knife. If necessary repot plant and discard the old soil. If the rot persists discard the plant
On African violets, leaf petioles collapse where they touch the rim of a clay pot
Too little water
Too much water
Flower buds that wilt and do not open
Drafts
Mites
Some plants such as philodendrons naturally lose their lower leaves over time
It should be expected that some tropicals such as dracena & rubberplantswill lose their lower leaves
Severe phosphate deficiency
Aphids or mite attack Malathion
Erratic watering or inadequate watering
Remove these leaves and cover the top rim ofthe pot with masking tape or some other material that prevents the plant from comingin contact with the clay.
Ensure the plant is allowed to partially dry before re-watering and check to see that plant roots are not standing in water
Remove from drafts or from near heat vents
Spray with miticide
Train the vine back down the stem so that the new young leaves will cover the vine base that has been defoliated
If you don t consider this to be the charm of those two plants, severe pruning will cause them to branch and produce foliage near the base.
Apply phosphorus or a balanced fertilizer
Apply an aerosal spray containing
Water heavily and allow excess to drain away. Do not water againuntil the surface feels slightly dry to the touch.
Blooms that are distorted
Thrip, mite or aphid attack
Problems associated with water beingallowedtostand in the bloom
Pesticide spray containing Malathion
Attempt to miss the flowers when watering
Dianthus Snowfire Hybrid
All-America Selections
Silver Medal 1978
Annual dianthus, resembling small, single-flowered carnations, bloom within a few weeks of seeding or transplanting. They bring soft colours and evocative fragrance to cool weather gardens. In recent years, hybridization has infused the deceptively fragile appearing dwarf dianthus with robust vigour and the ability to bloom despite prolonged bad weather.
New Snowfire dianthus grows to a height of 15.2-20.3cm (6-8 ) a bit taller and wider spreading than ultra-dwarf types. It branches so profusely that each rounded clump is set solidly with lance-shaped, blue-green leaves, conical buds and 3.8-5.1cm (1%-2in.) fringed blossoms.
From a distance Snowfire appears white but on closer inspection the cherry red centers show in pleasing contrast. Justopened blossoms are suffused throughout with cherry pink.
Snowfire shrugs off the rain and wind that often spoils other cool weather flowers. Sow seeds or set transplants in gardens in early spring to bloom with the late tulips.
Plant Snowfire in groups of six to twelve or more plants to fully appreciate the play of colours as the blossoms change colour with maturity.
Zinnia Peter Pan Cream Hybrid All-America Selections Bronze Medal 1978 Cream coloured blossoms are valued in gardens for resolving potential colour conflicts among dominant surrounding flowers. A clear cream colour, with no hint of chartreuse, can unify and pacify garden colour, schemes.
Now a true cream-coloured, lowgrowing, large-flowered zinnia is available. Peter Pan Cream grows to only 30.4-35.6cm (12-14in.) in height, flowers quickly from seeds or transplants and forms blossoms of up to 10.2cm (4in.) in diameter.
Blossoms are shaggy, with twisted petals. Like no other zinnia, the Peter Pans age beautifully, covering faded or spent blossoms with new foliage or blossoms with before they become unsightly.
The Peter Pans are preiminently useful for edgings and dividers between groups or drifts of flowers
- inlarge beds. They will bloom all - _summer long except in the Deep " South where second plantings are .>. made in late summer.
Zinnia Yellow Ruffles Hybrid
All-America Silver Medal 1978
~ Arich yellow now joins the colours available in the Ruffles zinnia class. And such ajoyous yellow; it seemingly captures the sunlight and radiates it to light up flower gardens! You'll find Yellow Ruffles especially effective when combined with blue salvia, ageratum or with other golden or yellow summer flowers such as marigolds.
Yellow Ruffles is a dual-purpose zinnia. Its many-branched stems produce dozens of blooms per plant; it plays second fiddle to no other summer flower for landscape brilliance. Yet is admirably suited to flower arrangements; the long, slender stems curve slightly and adapt gracefully to summer bouquets. Cut flowers will last for a week or more.
Use Yellow Ruffles as a background flower; plants will reach 60.8-12.7cm (24-30in.) in height by late summer. Blossoms assume a deep beehive form at maturity and average almost 7.6¢cm (3in.) in diameter.
Zinnia Cherry Ruffles Hybrid
All-America Selections
Silver Medal 1978
Flower arrangers will immediately see the place for this new cherry red colour crimson with a slight hint of blue apparent when blossoms are backlighted by the sun. It is a positive colour yet such a natural extension of the pastel pink, rose and lavender palette that many new colour combinations will be possible.
Cherry Ruffles , like its sisters in the much decorated Ruffles class of zinnias, is basically a landscape flower. However, judicious cutting of whole branches for arrangements doesn t mar its appearance; the stems rebranch to cover up uneveness.
Ruffles blossoms have the happy advantage of looking just as good from the side as from the top. Petals are rolled longitudinally or fluted. This adds roundness and a sculptured effect, especially evident in mature blooms.
Plants will grow to 60.8-38cm (2430in.) in height at maturity and blossoms reach up to 7.6cm (3in.) in diameter. Be sure to plant light colored zinnias along with Cherry Ruffles to set off its unique, almost fluorescent shade. : : G
Watermelon Sweet Favorite Hybrid
All-America Selections
Bronze Medal 1978
Sweet Favorite has been described as a watermelon factory. Indeed, it does produce an incredible number of delicious melons and, where seasons are long, repeated pickins over a period of sixty days or more.
Watermelons prefer sandy land and a deep mulch of pine needles, straw or dried grass clippings. Given such conditions, Sweet Favorite will produce melons of 32 pounds in weight. However, on average garden soil, 6.8-9.1Kgs. (15-20lbs.) would be the maximum.
The fruits are long and cylindrical with a slight taper at the stem end. When sliced longways, halves will easily fit refrigerator shelves.
Gardeners who have grown advance samples of Sweet Favorite rave about its high sugar content and crisp texture. Virtually all the fruit is edible; the rind and skin are thin. The heart is a deep red colour. Dark stripes on light green skin give it a rattlesnake pattern.
Sweet Favorite will mature reliably except where summers are quite short and cool. In the Midwest, for example, 85 days are required from seed to harvest.
Vines are resistant to such crippling and disfiguring plant diseases as anthracnose and fusarium wilt.
Zinnia Red Sun Hybrid
All-America Selections
Bronze Medal 1978
Commanding colour and gigantic blossoms focus attention on Red Sun , regardless of where you plant this zinnia in your garden. Yet, the deep scarlet red colour is not harsh and the blossoms are so neatly formed that Red Sun fits comfortably into any landscape.
Such huge blossoms 10.2-12.7cm (4-5in.) across can place stresses on zinnia plants, expecially during rainy or windy weather. Accordingly, the breeders of Red Sun reduced the overall plant height to 45.8-38cm (18-24in.) while retaining heavy, strong stems and branches.
Blossoms of Red Sun develop slowly and stay in peak condition for days and days. As the new center petals unfold they show the contrasting yellow colour of their reverse sides. Individual mature blossoms are a study in themselves, with gradations of red deepening toward the outer petals.
Red Sun blooms early for such a large-flowered zinnia and due to its hybrid vigour, the average size of blossoms holds up throughout the extended season of bloom.
All-America Selections
Bronze Medal 1978
In past years home gardeners really had to work to grow the old-time cucumber varieties that are susceptible to most every plant plague.
Liberty hybrid benefits from decades of plant breeding that have produced the multiple disease resistance or tolerance required by commercial growers. . . scab, mosaic, downy and powdery mildew, angular leaf spot and target spot.
The blocky, medium green, barrel-shaped fruits can be eaten fresh, brined for dill or sour pickles, or made into specialties such as baby or sweet pickles. The indistinct black spines rub off easily when fruits are scrubbed for table use or . processing.
Liberty vines are vigourous, productive and wide spreading. They produce a goodly number of male flowers which makes it unnecessary to plant a special pollinator variety.
Able to withstand the vagaries of late spring weather, Liberty can be planted earlier than most varieties if given protection on frosty nights.
All-America Selections
Bronze Medal 1978
For years, gardeners have had to accept tall vines and a sparse set of fruit as necessary evils accompanying large-fruited tomato varieties.
Now comes Floramerica . On good soil it will produce fruits of 226.8-340.2grams (8-120z.) in weight; slices of such whoppers will easily cover a hamburger bun. But, equally important, the vines are medium sized and loaded with fruit.
(Technicians call the vines Large determinate .)
Floramerica is a midseason tomato because time is needed for the huge fruits to mature. But don t be fooled into training vines up tall stakes. Four foot stakes are adequate; in fact, the best support is a low cylinder of edging fence.
With resistance or strong tolerance to sixteen tomato diseases or defects, including verticillium and fusarium Race 1 and 2, Floramerica will be appreciated by organic gardeners and in gardens where tomatoes are often crippled by harmful fungi and bacteria.
Floramerica fruits are deep red and vary from round to slightly flattened. They can be eaten fresh or processed for juice or whole pack. No special claims for mildness of acidity . . . just meaty-textured, good flavoured tomatoes of exceptional size and rich red colour.
The Centre s panel will be dealing with questions of current interest at this meeting, and this will be followed by a short introductory talk on Botanical Art, setting the stage for the opening of the Botanical Art Show.
The business side of this meeting will be the Centre s Annual Meeting. The fun side will be Tommy Thompson s illustrated talk on his recent African tour.
Feb. 27 Needlepoint (beginners) 5 weeks Mon. 1.30 & 8 p.m.
Mar.9 Brass Rubbing Workshop 1 day Thurs. 1.30 & 7.30pm
Mar. 14 Crewel (Intermediate) 5 weeks Mon. 1.30 & 8.00pm
Apr. 24 Neeldepoint (Advanced) 5 week Mon. 1.30 & 8.00pm
Apr.3 Plant Material used in Bouquets & related crafts (Demonstration-Lectures only) 4 weeks Mon. 1.30 & 7.30pm
Apr.5 Crochet (Beginners) 5 weeks Wed. 1.30pm
Apr. 24 Nori-Zome (dyeing fabrics) 10 weeks Mon. 1.30pm
Apr. 27 Styrofoam fruit workshops 3 weeks Thurs. 10 to 3pm
The first tour ofthe season will be a GreenhouseTour onMarch29. Lunchwill be provided and the cost will be $12.00 for members, $15.00 for non-members. Check the insert for details of April tours. : Don t forget yourquestionsfortheSpecialGardenClinicat 7.30p.m.onMarch 29 and 30. Phone them into the Centre (445-1552) anytime after March 1st. Starting on April 6, at 8.00a.m., there will be the first of a series of regular weekly Thursdaymorningbirdwalks. Thesewillbedesignedtoallowparticipants to go directly to work afterwards (i.e. no outing clothes required). Meet outside the west entrance to the Centre. Also check your insert for details ofthe programme ofadviceongardenlayout and landscaping.
Larry Batista
The planting of the alligator pear is very simple but the seed has to be prepared before it is potted. To begin, a ripe (soft to touch) avocado of either species should be bought from the nearest market. Remove the seed by slowly inserting a knife along the length of the avocado flesh until it touches the seed whereupon turn the knife in a circular motion around the seed until all the flesh is cut. Next, twist both halves of the avocado in opposite directions and simply pull it apart. If the seed has already sprouted roots and stems, as if often the case, it should be planted immediately. If, on the other hand, the seed has not sprouted, it will be covered with a papery-brown skin and should therefore be rinsed in tepid water, patted dry with a towel, and allowed to " sit in a warm dry place overnight. The next day the papery skin should be peeled off easily and the avocado seed will be ready for planting.
The planting of the seed is always best performed with all the materials necessary at hand s reach. Therefore, have a large (5 to 6 inch) pot, enough potting soil to fill the pot, large piece of crock, a vessel filled with tepid water, and the avocado seed. Place the piece of crock over the drainage hole and fill the pot with rich loamy soil. Next, flatten the soil firmly so that it is about approx. 1% in. (4 cm) from the rim of the pot and insert the seed, with its flat bottom down into the soil. Finally, soak the soil with tepid water and place the pot where the exposed part of the seed will get no direct sunlight and where you will remember to keep it watered well. Within three to eight weeks the seed should sprout a pale avocado shoot.
Once the seed of the avocado has produced a small shoot, the shoot can be induced to becomea tree quickly by having a few simple tasks performed for it. First of all, the minute the shoot
protrudes out of the seed, the pot should be placed in a spot from where it will seldom be moved and where there is plenty of light available. Furthermore, be sure that the temperature of the house or apartment is between 65 and 85°F (20°C and 30°C) and do not allow it to change more than 15°F within a 12 hour period. A quick change in temperature or light can put the shoot or tree into shock and result in a serious loss of leaves. Also, since the roots of the avocado may come close to the surface for nutrients and they are easily injured by dry soil and sun, when the shoot is about 15 cm longthe exposed section of the seed should be completely covered with the same loamy soil used to plant it.
The avocado also needs to be looked after regularly. Since it grows quickly, it needs to be watered whenever the soil begins to look dry. It also needs to be fed every week or every second week. It is best to use a different fertilizer every time the supply being used is exhausted. This variation prevents the accumulation of unused chemicals in the soil and provides a balanced diet. Another task that should be performed as often as possible is the spraying of the foliage. Although the avocado can withstand the dryness ofmost homes the fine mist of tepid water will go a long way in ensuring lush green foliage. Finally, the most difficult task to perform is pruning. If the avocado is not pruned it will usually grow straight up without branching. To prevent this, the growing tip should be pinched off before the stem reaches a height of 50 cm (20 in.) Although this may take some courage to performthe first time, its benefits will soon become evident as the scraggly stem soon begins to produce branches. As one becomes more proficient at pruning, an avocado tree can be pruned to fit any decor; tall and slender for dreary and empty corners or low andspreading for table tops or that special indoor shade effect.
got it at the five and ten, and now it has a funny little flower on it! What kind ofa cactus is it?
This is the usual exclamation of indoor gardeners who grow Stapelia variegata, called Toad Flower, or spotted starflower, a South African succulent belonging to the milkweed family. It looks likea little trailing, branchingcactus with toothed club shapedjoints.
It is sold with the other popular succulents and cacti for window shelf or dish garden, and makes an interesting little clump. It has a host of relatives, all natives ofthe same area, some of which are commonly found among plant assortments, and others which must be sought in the lists of growers of rarities. They are generally called Starfish flowers.
One which is quite common is rarely seen in bloom, and has one of the largest flowers in Nature. It is called Stapelia gigantea, and its 45cm. (18in.) flowers are at their best in temperatures of 38°C (100°F) or over. It is grown by many gardeners for its trailing, hanging mass of banana-like, dark green fingers. Pieces ofit root readily with light and heat, in almost any kind of mixture. The bud is an interesting pointed balloon, opening to ahuge greenish-yellow star with purplish wooly streaks, a great curiosity, as are most of the family. Immediately it opens, on a hot Summer day, blowflies will come from far and near, and dive through
the roof vent and into the flowers to deposit their eggs, for this is how the plant is fertilized in its native land, for which purpose it has a powerful perfume of rank carrion! Once convinced that there is nothing putrefying, we can tolerate the smell, and a puff of malathion dispatches the flies. The third and rarer species is Stapelia Leendertziae, quite similar, somewhat more upright, with balloon buds of deep maroonpurple, opening into perfect swinging bells. Of course instead of music, E they give a smell, but not as bad as the previous species perhaps because they flower in the cooler days of early Fall.
Most of the other Stapelias have star-shaped flowers with hairs of different types, many with rank odours for the purpose mentioned above.
Discovered in South Africa, Stapelias were named in honor of J. B. Van Stapel a Dutch physician of the early 17th century. These odd, fleshy cactus-like plants are usually grown with greenhouse succulents primarily fortheir unusual forms and/or large showy flowers.
Some relatively small plants have flowers several inches in diameter. S. gigantea bears flowers 30cm. (12in.) across. They prefer plenty of light in an airy atmosphere, and like to be dry during their growing period but prefer to be a little less dry than cacti. Flowers appear mostly during summer and fall, and for best results plants should be allowed a dormant period during
PLUS - Receive Absolutely FREE a Regular Size 69¢ Specialty Seed Packet
Order your full colour McFayden catalogue and handy STAPELIA LEENDERTZIAE seed planting, vegetable and flower growing guide and i R save. AvaluableAtoZguide.Containsalltheinformation winter. To prevent decay similar you want to know about growing vegetablesand flowers. i 3 s Includes how, when and what to plant, plus many handy to damp Off Of_ seed.hngs and helpful growing tips. A guidefor the beginnerandthe especially during winter, be sure to expert gardener alike. Order your new McFayden . . 1 1 provide good drainage. Use a bed of PO Nda0 ; CLIPANDMAILTODAY = = = = == == ==- porous, sandy soil. Spread roots on Kb Pation Soede surface and cover carefully with Dept. GA308 . about lcm. (%in.) of soil. Top off Box 1060 with a 2cm. (1in.) layer of pea-size
Brandon, Man. R7A6E1 £ .
Pleaserushto me 1978McFaydenVegetable & Flower gr_avel' Thls p.reVentS dlreCt contact
planting guide (regular price 75¢) PLUS my FREE 69¢ with moist soil and also helps SpecialtySeedPacket <PR s 4 enclose prevent excessive dryness which Mr. can be injurious as well. Mrs.
Stapelias require temperatures e from 12-18°C (55-65°F) atnight21- Afose 29°C (70-85°F) during daytime, depending upon particular plant being cultivated. Podtilonis
ated
A unique honour has been given to Lois Wilson, author of CHATELAINE S GARDENING BOOK.
The American edition of her book, published in the United States under the title THE COMPLETE GARDENER, has been selected, in the bicentennial issue of the horticultural newsletter, THE AVANT GARDENER, as the best general gardening book of the decade.
For a book, written, designed, published and illustrated by Canadians to be chosen the best American gardening book of the decade is indeed an honour. The Canadian edition CHATELAINE S GARDENING BOOK: THE ALL-CANADA GUIDE TO GARDENING SUCCESS is available in autographed copies from the Briar Patch at the Civic Garden Centre.
Prerequisites for entrants of judging course which will begin 1980.
1. Two Basic courses in Flower Arranging must have been taken from accreditedjudges of the Garden Clubs of Ontario. One Basic course must be taken within the period 1978-80.
2. Proof of entry of Flower Arrangements in three separate shows. (not necessarily standard shows)
3. A written examination based upon the Basic course in Flower Arranging must be taken.
Mar. 15 Basic Course 6 weeks
Mar. 16 Basic Course 6 weeks
Apr. 26 Basic Course 6 weeks
Wed. 1.30 & 8pm Thurs. 1.30 & 8pm Wed. 1.30 & 8pm
Reserve space early for your next Horticultural Event Shows Lectures Meetings in our beautiful New Facility Craft and Art Displays or Social Gatherings. RATES & DATES ON REQUEST FROM CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE
The gardener s traditional prescription for banishing the midwinter glooms is to leaf through the current crop of nurserymen s and seedsmen s catalogues; there are many available.
For seeds of all kinds, from asparagus to zucchini and alyssum to zinnia, Dominion Seed House and Stokes both have extensive lists. Tregunno of Hamilton also has a good list of vegetable and flower seeds.
Several firms, including Cameron Nursery, Midwest Wildflowers of Rockton, Ill., and Alpenglow Gardens of Survey, B.C., offer wild plants and seeds ofwildplants. Cruickshank s have all kinds of bulbs, corms and tubers. Specialist herb catalogues can be obtained from Otto Richter and Cameron Nursery.
For roses, Pinehaven Nurseries, Carl Pallek and Pickering Nurseries all have a great many items to choose from. And Alpenglow Gardens specialize in hardy alpines and dwarfshrubs.
If you are thinking of planting rhododendrons or azaleas, the catalogue from Woodland Nurseries is a must. Moore Water Gardens sell water lilies and other aquatic plants. Richardson Farms and Keith Somers, both tree specialists, include a list of trees and shrubs to attract birds.
All these catalogues, and many others, are available for reference in the Civic Garden Centre s library. Pamela MacKenzie, Librarian
STOKES SEEDS, INC.
3098 Stokes Building, St. Catharines, Ontario L2R BR6
Features
® Heavy duty extruded aluminum.
® BRONZE baked enamel finish, to resist oxidizing & pitting.
® One piece aluminum curved frame for greater strength.
® C.P. double strength glass, Acrylic on curved sections.
® Easily assembled.
® Stainless steel spring clips lock glass into neoprene.
® Hinged door seals air tight, Automatic closer included.
* ® Roof vent and side louvers standard on most models.
® Curved eaves do not allow snow build up and seal tight for easier year round heating.
SMART in appearance, more head room than most other Greenhouses. . . These many features make this series, for sure, the Greenhouse you've been waiting for.
See them now at (indoor showroom)
English Aluminium Greenhouses Ltd. 506 McNicoll Ave., Willowdale, Ont. (416) 493-7773
5~ ot o o el gz o W oo et el |t B e Ao =l el o i ST ) < NI AR<ZZ = Z e DO = N0 M I =) g e O FOXXIMANXZ2 OZHNHHOXXX X ) 2= 20 20 = D
OUOHUITUHLOOO
DMONOTWRDO O E2T DU ITOE o> A OWn uW!m AROrr HzZ20=2Z2x> -H40 syt = U gl o g O ol sttt il o
HrCZ2Z20~X>C T O O UHO Si>< 2 b p i 0 S @ e ki38 o <~ U4 RXROX>XO
EUNE2PD<TOZN> ZHAXOXO>X<WWITWwW (o 5 o ol exmy (B [ 1 Jof &0 e~ el LSl o B~ 9 0 |5 D Wl iy w o
COHOZ20ZTuH XImT B Bl O Ml {0 W e B 0 i o i
IRON CHELATE TWO FOUR D O>Z 10nXZ>TunoTm TN Ot = O =20 6ot < T XOHHCULOWmMIHOO _I>T 2004 40O Xx= W e mde = N HOLONARTOZZUD0LO (e i @ (ap sl ool p m = s 2 EcCErrc ro T mw XU GOMmMmMmMmm COwmWT HMrXOIOr = - A>rrCco=2r=2Z2>0W0m rZ20X0woHH A=<m IS~ 20 O BT << LR CRIR O T ) BT MXOnorTxxoxm=Zr0= MC==ZUMmMmoOoO ~m M<OX< -AX>X<XO0owmnm=2r P2 O N 2906 7 T DM HHZHTITOnIO AmMmCrroaGx Hr mAAr-e>»oT»mr O N~ NV OONI=XITTX TMITRCE SO R () < B TOZ2rxXRAODPEXIZ>Xm
B-NINE
IRON SULPHATE
* Visit us for your seed wants. Located on Lower Mall
SULPHUR CHLORADANE BENLATE
DIAZINON
DORMANT OIL
BORON
Civic Garden Centre Trellis Shop keep them coming. our first wheelchair for our visitors use into the Centre. Your help has provided Drop (or mail) your Dominion sales slips
* Pots and Potting Soils.
* Unusual Gift Items
WEDDINGS
COCKTAIL PARTIES BANQUETS
BUFFET DINNERS PICNICS
PLANT OPENINGS OPEN HOUSE
INTERNATIONAL CUISINE - PLATTER STYLE HOT & COLD HORS D'OEUVRES
COMPLETE SERVICE INCLUDING TABLES, CHAIRS, WAITRESSES, BAR STAFF, DISC JOCKEYS ETC.
WEDDING CAKES
85 JONESVILLE CR A SPECIALTY
also: INDUSTRIAL CATERING
METRO-WIDE SERVICE
For more information call our representative at 755-5244 for an appointment to fill you in on details and give you a typed out estimate. 3
HILLVIEW FARMS LTD. R.R. No. 4, Woodstock, Ont. Toronto: 36 Smithwood Drive, Islington
Now there are 5 Sheridan Garden Centres to serve the Toronto area. Vaughan Nurseries is now a member of the Sheridan family of fine garden centres. Sheridan extends a warm welcome to Vince Bl Vaughan, his staff, his many customers and Dawg, the cat! Vince and the staff will be there to serve you, as always, with quality products and outstanding service.
The Vaughan Garden Centre
3444 Sheppard Ave. East. Tel. 293-2493
Serving: East Toronto, Scarborough, Don Mills, North York, East York and eastern outlying communities.