|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Planting And Propagation |
For really first-class results the preparations for the making
up of the soil for planting, should begin in the autumn so that
it is just right in the early spring. As far as possible, a good
heap should be built up, for preference securing turves which
should be placed grass downwards in layers between fresh cow
manure. Turn the heap about every two months and keep it
covered in some way so that no goodness is lost or leached out
by sun and rain.
Failing turves, the manure can be mixed with good loam
but it is important to ensure that the manure is fresh and has
not been lying exposed to sun and rain for a long time, for
then, it will have lost much of its plant food value.
There seems little point in using silver sand in the planting
mixture, and leaf mould, while it can be included as an extra,
does not retain any feeding value.
Never add mud or sludge from the bottom of pond which
is sometimes advised as being a 'natural advantage' to water
plants in becoming established. Such matter has no feeding
value and very often not even the commonest of weeds will
root in these dredgings until they have been exposed to light
and air for a considerable time.
As far as water-lilies are concerned, the easiest way of plant-
ing is to use baskets or perhaps the specially-made aquatic pans,
which have holes bored in them at the right intervals. Before
such containers are dropped into the water one should make
sure that the compost is topped up with a layer of soil, or
better still, of small stones. This lessens the possibility of the
compost being washed out of the basket and of the water
becoming cloudy, either at planting time or later should there
be fish in the pool. These often cloud the water as they dart
into loose soil at the top of a basket.
This container planting is only really satisfactory where
there is a mud bottom into which the roots can eventually pene-
trate. The alternative is to lift and replant every three years.
In ponds or pools of good size, it is quite satisfactory to place
the lily roots between two turves which have had the grass
shaved off. Around the roots can be placed some of the loam
and cow manure mixture although this is not essential.. Fasten
the turves together with tape or string, but in such a way that
they are held firmly without the string cutting into the turves,
when putting such plantings in the water. Particular care is
needed so that the roots are left with the crown uppermost.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
