Time And Seasons To Cut Branches And Prune Shrubs
The turn of the season, which comes at the end of January or the beginning of February, is the time to cut branches of shrubs and fruit trees for indoor flowering. This practice could be considered another form of pruning. Set branches in a vessel of water, adding a piece of charcoal. The time of actual flowering may vary from several days to two weeks. To force blossoms quickly, completely submerge branches in water at 70 F. for 15 minutes.
Suspending wet paper or a wet cloth over them for a while each day will also help bring out flowers. Humidity is the main factor; keep buds and stems moist. Now is a good time to start gloxinia tubers for flowering this summer. They can be started later this spring, even in March, but they will bloom later.
Start the tubers in a warm temperature in 3 1/2-inch pots, using a potting mixture of leafmold, good loam, sand and a little rotted manure or shredded cattle manure. Do not overwater. Most gloxinia failures are due to too low a temperature and too much water at the beginning. The soil at planting time should be just damp. Achimenes, a near relative of the gloxinia, should be given the same treatment, except that the very small tubers or tubercles should be planted in groups, five of the smaller ones in a 5-inch pot or three of the larger type in a 6-inch. pot. Set the tubers 1 inch deep. Water very sparingly until growth is well developed.
Amaryllis, which also likes warmth, should now be showing signs of activity it planted in January, as advised. Keep the soil moist and use water which is room temperature. This plant is not as critical of a little extra watering as either the gloxinia or achimenes.
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