Plant pot flowering plants in October: Punjab Agricultural University floriculturists

LUDHIANA: The floriculture experts of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), providing tips for the care and management of ornamentals to the growers, have advised the people to plant the bulbs of narcissus, gladiolus, dahlia, etc. in the month of October.
The Head of Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Kushal Singh said that the seedlings of winter season annuals should be transplanted during this month when they are at 4-6 leaf stage in beds or pots.He added that the pot flowering plants like calendula, gazania, pansy, allyssum, petunia, etc. can be planted in pots to allow sufficient time for their development.
Referring to chrysanthemum, another expert, Ranjit Singh said that manuring of weak plants and staking of heavy branches using bamboo sticks is required to prevent the lodging of plants. "Disbudding of side branches should be done if desired", he suggested, while stressing on the removal of the root suckers. About roses, he advised that their pruning is to be done in this month for removing the diseased and criss- crossing the branches.
"The cut ends should be treated with Biltox or Bordeaux paste immediately after pruning. Rose plants are headed back 45 cm (from the ground level)", Singh said. He advised people to keep only 4-5 strong canes of the flower, which are growing outside from the centre. Centre of the plant should be kept open for penetration of sunlight, he emphasized.
The experts said that the hoeing of rose beds and application of farm yard manure (FYM) near the base of the plants after exposing roots should be done in this month. They suggested the people to irrigate the plants after application of FYM besides suggesting the plantation of new plants in this month.
"Stop watering summer bulbous plants like caladium, tuberose and football lilly when these shed leaves and uproot the bulbs 7-10 days after stopping watering", Singh added, while asking to store the bulbs in cool place after treating with Bavistin @ 0.2% for 20 minutes.