Mignonette
(Reseda odorata). This well-known fragrant little plant is one of the most popular subjects in gardens of every description. Even persons limited to the space of a window-sill may grow some in summer, either in a box or in pots, provided the situation is not too hot. Mignonette does not succeed so well when exposed to heat as it does if kept comparatively cool, the tendency, under the former conditions, being to produce seeds, and this renders the flowering period a short one. It is most largely cultivated from seed, but healthy cuttings may be readily rooted if it is desired to perpetuate any specially good form or variety. Outdoor culture in summer is of the simplest description. Seeds should be sown thinly, in shallow drills, or in any other way desired, during April and May, and be lightly covered with soil. When the young plants appear, and are large enough to handle, they should be thinned out, as this induces a much stronger growth in those left. These plants will flower in June and the two following months. Another later sowing should be made about July, for producing an autumn supply. Mignonette prefers a rich, rather heavy soil, and a cool, moist situation. If sown in poor, light ground, and in a position exposed to hot sunshine, the seeds possibly will not grow at all, or, if they do, the plants will be far inferior to those which can be treated more in accordance with their requirements. Watering must be freely practised throughout the summer, especially if the weather be more than usually dry. The flowers of Mignonette are amongst the most useful for cutting, as the racemes last so long in water, and emit an agreeable perfume.
Culture in Pots. Mignonette is most extensively cultivated in pots for winter and spring decoration of greenhouses, rooms, &c., its requirements being more fully met, as previously stated, by the cooler temperature then experienced. Tall standard plants are preferred by some cultivators, and seeds for their production are sown in small pots soon after midsummer, or sometimes long previous to this. The best plant in each pot is selected and grown on in an upright direction, the other smaller ones being removed at an early stage. Repotting may be practised as growth proceeds, until 8in. or 9in. pots are reached, if very large plants are desired. Careful training and watering are most necessary, as the shoots are very brittle, and, although the roots generally require plenty of water, anything approaching stagnancy is fatal. Mignonette is far more useful, and is extensively cultivated, for spring flowering in 5in. or 6in. pots. Seeds for the supply should be sown in the latter part of August, and again for a succession in September, using the pots wherein they are intended to grow and flower. The compost used should consist of about two parts loam, one of dried cow manure, and another of old sifted mortar rubbish. The latter ingredient is a most important one for this plant, and the addition of a little soot is also beneficial. All the pots used should be clean, dry, and properly drained. It does not matter how hard the compost is packed into them, provided it is united in a solid mass, and not rammed in layers. A few seeds should be distributed evenly over the surface, and lightly covered with a little sifted soil, similar to that of the bulk. The pots should then be watered, and placed in a shallow, cold frame, on a bottom of coal ashes, where they may remain until October, plenty of air being admitted in the meantime, and the plants thinned to about 1in. apart, when they are large enough to select the best. For winter quarters, the best place is a shelf near the glass in any light, airy house where such plants as Carnations, Bouvardias, &c., are grown, and a temperature of 50deg. to 55deg., with ventilation, is maintained. Failing such provision for Mignonette in houses, it is better to make the best of frames than to subject the plants to a high temperature, or close atmosphere--both most destructive to their well-being, and the prime causes of failure. Each plant must be provided with a small stick before it gets large enough to fall about, and from five to eight will be plenty for the size of pots above-mentioned. Water should only be sparely applied in winter, but never entirely withheld. As the days lengthen, the plants will start into growth freely, and then water may be given in abundance, even to the use of saucers in spring. When the flowers begin to expand, a little artificial manure, mixed with its bulk of dry loam, should be applied to the soil's surface, about once a week. This will materially assist in developing and lengthening the racemes.
Seed Saving. When Mignonette is only required for outside cultivation, or for cutting, it is not of so much importance whether the variety or strain represents its true characters or not, provided the plants are floriferous and the flowers sweetly scented. For pot culture, it is most desirable that they should be of a vigorous yet compact habit, and of a uniform strength throughout. If several varieties are grown near each other, the flowers will be almost certain to become cross-fertilised by insect agency, and the product will always degenerate rather than improve. Distinct and superior forms often owe their origin to a rigid selection being annually made of the very best plants for seed-bearing, and the weeding out before the flowering period of all showing the least inferiority. Nurserymen, doubtless, do all in their power to retail seeds true to character; but whenever pot culture of Mignonette is practised, and a good type is once obtained, the cultivator should rigidly weed out, from the first, plants of irregular growth, and save seed himself from the others, sufficient, at least, for growing in pots the following year. The standard of quality would be much improved, even in one season, by such a selection, and far less "weeding" would be required afterwards. The seed must be collected so soon as it begins turning brown, and laid out on paper, in a cool, airy room or shed, to dry, when it may be rubbed out, cleaned, and stored in paper bags. If allowed to get quite ripe before being collected, the best seeds will be lost, in consequence of the seed-vessels being always open at the apex, and naturally situated at an angle well suited for readily discharging their contents.
Varieties. Of these, there are several in cultivation, some having what are termed red, and others white, flowers. The old common type of Mignonette is well known, and is one of the most sweetly scented. The following is a selection from the best varieties. There is a double-flowered form in cultivation, which must be propagated from cuttings.
Crimson King. Flowers bright red, sweetly scented; habit dwarf, vigorous, pyramidal. A new and distinct variety, most desirable for pot culture.
Dwarf Erect. Flowers erect, produced in stout, densely-set racemes; habit dwarf and neat.
Garaway's White. Flowers white; racemes large and long. One of the best, either for outside culture or for pots.
Giant Pyramidal. Flowers reddish, sweetly-scented; racemes very large. The plant is of a stout pyramidal habit, and succeeds well outside.
Golden Queen. Flowers golden-yellow, very distinct; habit dwarf and compact. An exceedingly fine Mignonette, of dense growth, very floriferous.
Machet. A new dwarf variety, of French origin, having very fragrant flowers of a bright red colour. The habit is robust, and the racemes broad. Highly recommended for pot culture.
Miles' Hybrid Spiral. Flowers white, very fragrant, produced in dense racemes, sometimes exceeding 1ft. in length. The habit is dwarf and branching, and the variety, when obtained true, is one of the best in cultivation, especially for pots.
Parsons' White. Flowers nearly white, strongly scented; racemes long and well-formed. An excellent variety.
Queen Victoria. Flowers deep red, very fragrant, profuse; habit dwarf, branching. Fine and distinct.