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STRING HOME GARDEN Friday March 22 1M1 Page Town Gardener Martha Washington Geranium By TOM CA VAN Martha My Dear When people see a Martha Washington Geranium Pelargonium domestlcum for the first time they dont think of it as a geranium This South African herb doesnt look like the zonal and bedding out geraniums we use in our sunny souther On gardens Martha Washington or Regal Geranium have a different ap pearance Their flowers range from small mass of pansy types to large azalea like clusters and small soft leaves to coarse jagged leaves respectfully Their flowers are mother natures own artistry with lavender red pink and white variations When you look closer youll discover a richer color accents the throat of the flower or the petals of the flower change in color from lighter to darker or viseversa To initiate bud and keep them flowering evening temperatures must be cool C Now living in Ontario this makes Martha Washington a perfect indoor flowering geranium too Martha Washington Geranium must not be overfed to initiate or retain blooming When this plant is in flower you should feed it at half recommended strength I have found that slow release to be the best because there are no salts build up m the soil If your Martha Washington geranium starts to look pale this is telling you the fertilizer salts are burning and damaging the roots much the same pearance as when a plant is over watered and goes weak and pale from lack of air to the roots With or any slow release tilizer the elements are released with water and heat so no need to a plant because youre trying to feed with fertilizer dissolved in the water Martha Washington geraniums prefer slightly acidic soil 5 56 which can easily be taken care of by freshening the soil once a year A good time is late winter early spring after blooming Three to four weeks after you take cuttings the plant will show new foliage When this plant is active it transplants with ease Do not control this plants size by pinching because it will delay if not destroy its flowering poten tiai When taking cuttings use a sharp knife so you dont crush the stem Cutting size should be Up cuttings The prepared cut must be just below a node then dipped in rooting hormone and placed in SO per cent soiless mix with per cent sharp Sand Water thoroughly with No Damp fungicide Cuttings must be maintained at F for 1520 days Soils should be misted to retain moisture and I would recommend alternate misting with No Damp to prevent any potential disease attacks Martha Washingtons prefer a cool sunny window and will flower profusely until warm weather prevails During sum mer months if placed in a half sun position will keep flowering but leaf production is more prolific so why not take cuttings summer months also and fill your windows with winter color If you have any questions call The Town Gardener Hotline at A new spirit of giving SPECIALS CHUDRENS CHOICE Primula Begonias Perfect or Mom Grandma or Reg 29 99 1Q At 10 pot SAVE IP AZALEAS Lovely flowering with long- lasting blooms A welcome addition for any room each FLOWERING PLANTS Choose from Begonias and Potted Mums A multitude colours tor that perfect Easter gift GARDEN GAI1ERY WATER SOLUBLE FERTILIZER 700glubol30 formula Is perfect lor all foliage plants NOW SAVE EASTER Join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday March All kids and under are welcome bags will be provided by an adult I EASTER removing wutvo Sandy LUk I CaMU oil SOGREEN LAWN ahead and All our Lawn Food featured at WHOLESALE PRICES control SIGGESTED RETAIL WHOLESALE PRICE JAR 30 GARDEN GALLERY try Winded a lighi Wend luted lot Mooting litre bag A on NOW harden gallery WY 24 WEST OF ERIN 83321 17 The Garden Gitllery is an association of independent Canadianowned garden centres