PAGE A6. WH]Ty FREE PRESS, Outdoor Living, JUNE 21,1989 Heipf l hi nt s for -flowers from the Dutch gardener. FRQM PAGE Ai to have cool feel. If your ground covers surrounding them are not yet developed, apply a temporary mulch of some organic material (such as mown grass or leaves). They do not do well when the soil around the bulbs becomes too warmn. Gladioli are among the easiest to grow of the suinmer-flowering bulbs. Plant them 10 to 15 cm- (four to six in.) deep, five to 15 cm (two to six in.) apart. The flowers are long lasting, both in the vase and garden. Cut them for indoor use when the llrst buds are just starting to show color. If you want to keep gladiolus blooming in your garden throughout the summer, plant a group of corms every 10 days or so from now through the middle of July. Flowers will appear from 60 to 100 days later. This technique will guarantee a virtual parade of these spectacular flowers for several continuous months. For gladiolus, too, remember that regular, deep watering is best and niulch helps to retain the soul and moisture around the corms. *ASK THE DUTCII GAflDENER Last year oui' -dahlias were rather email and, evern he ii vase, the flowers didn't open properly. How can we keep this from happening again? 0f course the size of dahlia flower depends on the type planted,1 decoratives bearing the largest flowers, along with some of the cactus and semi-cactus varieties. Mignon and collarettes are snialler. However, to ensure the largest strongest flower possible, there are several steps you can take. First, pinch out the little shoots that gow on the tubers to allow those that are left to develop more strongly. Then 'disbud' the dahlias flowers. As soon as the buds form, small stems will grow out of the leaf exils. If you break these off (iLe. 'disbud'), ail the energy will be supplied to that one flower, allowing it to grow extra large while the stalk becomes long and straight. When you are ready to enjoy your dahlias indoors, remember to cut the flowers when they are dry. Make sure there are no leaves on the stemn below the water lime. Add cut flower nutrition to keep them fresh, open and colorful. FLOWERING CALENDAR In June, look for the following bulb flowers: Allium moly (yellow flowers, 25 cm taîl); A.albopiloSunIA. chrstophii (star-shaped, silvery-lilac florets, 60 cm (12 in.); A. oreophilumn (dark, pink-red; 20 cm- (8 in.). Camassia cusickIi and O.' esculenta/O. quamnash which have racemes of blue flowers on 60 to 70 cm (12 to 14 in.) long stemis. Eremurus species, from 100 cm (3 With the nineties just around the corner, homemade jams and jellies have corne of age. Foodfland Ontario bas înarried the old-fashioned flavors of janis made from luscious Ontario strawberries with the latest in culinary high tech to create delicious microwave janis. Microwave Jam is made in smaller batches than jam prepared from conventional recipes so it's perfect for singles and today's smaller faniUles. A pint or two of Ontario strawberries gathered on a sunny afternoon from your local pick-your-own farmn or bought from your local store gives you fruit a-plenty to boil into a speedy batch of microwave jam. Small batches are necessary because the sugar content in the jam makes the mixture boil up ft.) to 2 metres (6.5 ft.), with long, imposng spikes fo white, light pink or brown-yellow flowers. Dutch Iris, too, are now in flower, in blue, yellow and white varieties. Also look for Anernone 'de Caen' (single-flowered) and 'St. Brigid' (double) with their star-shaped flowers on stems 25 very high. To prevent messy spilîs, use the size of bowl specified in the recipes and neyer double the quantities Of ingredients. AIl fruits love a microwave and Ontario strawberries are no exception. In microwave janis, the bernies retain more of their naturaI flavor and sparkling color. And, youll find you get a surprisingly large yield from a niicrowave jarr recipe as the strawberries' natural juices don't evaporate as much. Microwave janis make for a cool itchen -- a welcome treat in the heat of an Ontario summer. There's also no danger of the jam scorching when you prepare it in the microwave so there's no constant stirring needed. 0f SEE, PAGE A 7 flower now and throughout the- summer. LIrIM-IKNOWN FACTS ABOUT BILBS AND TE~EIR FLOWERS *If you haven't had chance to plant summer-flowering bulbs and tubers, they cari still b. planted ini June. Although some of them may flot bloom until quit. late in the season, there is sti11 lots of time to enjoy the beautiful flowers of dahlias, gladiolus, ranunculus, calla iles, tigridia and many, many others. e Tuberus begonias are one of the most sensitive plants. They cannot tolerate night-frost and so should not be planted outdoors until late May/early June. (That's why many people start' the tubers8 indoors in March and April). * Mignon dahlias (30 to 45 cmIl2 to 18 in.) are available in many colors and their daisy-like, littie, single flowers will bloom for months and months, especially if the withered florets are removed regularly. e Botanical tulips (e.g. T. tarda, T. turkestanica, T. urumiensis) and their cultivars can be left in the ground year after year. Remove the flowers as the bloom fades (to prevent seed formation) and allow the fohiage to wither naturally, building up the bulb's strength to bloom again. Next year they will look even more natural as they self-propagage and spread. 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