Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-02-16
Treatment Of House Plants.

The wants of plants cultivated iu the win
ter are the same as in summer; they are
heat, moisture, sun and air. Of the first
they generally have too much Of the latter
three they rarely have enough. They are
most frequently kept in room heated up to
7Odg., which is much too hot The great
majority Of plants will do better until they
begin to bloom, with heat not exceeding As
or 5Odg. If you have room with windows
facing the south or east, in which the tenn
perature can be kept generally at 5Odg,, and
never fall below 4Odg., your plants can be
kept in good health and condition, as far as
heat is concerned.
With regard to moisture, it is more diff.
cult to meet the wants Of the plants. You
may drench the roots with water, but that is
not all they want They desire moist at.
mosphere, which it is impossible to give them
In room heated either with stove or by
pipes from a hot.air furnace. If, however,
your plant room is SO situated that it receives
its warmth from an adjoining room, the COM
municaton with which may be closed at pleas
ure, the air may be kept much moister in all
moderate weather. than where there arc in
stove room. Your plants will not only water
at the roots, but they will also require FIRE.
quent waterings of the foliage, which is not
only refreshing to them, but also serves an
important purpose in removing the dust with
which the leaves soon get covered, and which
greatly obstructs the respiration of the plants.
Those with polished leaves, such as the myr.
tie, wax plant, orange, pittosporum and the
like should have the leaves frequently wash
washed with sponge. In watering, some
discretion must be used. All plants do not
require the same amount Those which are
in state Of rest and consequently not grow
ing need but little; those which are in an
active state Of growth and blooming, or FORM
ing flower buds, need considerable. The soil
will frequently seem to be dry in potts. when
it is not. Nurserymen tell when the plants
need water by striking the pots with the
knuckles, the sound being quite different
when the earth is moist, than when dry.
Water should never be allowed to stand in
the saucers.
As to exposure to sunlight the plant stand
should be so situated as to receive the benefit
of the whole. The plants should be as near
the glass as possible. Light is the life Of
plants as we'll as of man. When grown in
darkness thOy are invariably spiudIing, weak
and colorless.
Air should be given freely whenever the
weather is mild The windows should be
should be drawn down from the top, so that
the cold air may not strike directly upon the
plants.
1t is almost needless to say that tie utmost
neatuess should prevail in the plant room.
No dead leaves. stalks, or decayed flower
stems should be allowed to remain. When
requisite, neatly painted wires or sticks
should be used to support the stems. The
pots should be washed occasionally.
There is no doubt that the trouble and
care Of tending plants add greatly to our Gu
joyment Of them. Most of those who possess
spacious greenhouses and gardeners to do
all labor necessary therein, take but little in
terest in flowers, as compared with those
whose labor and time has been lovingly Civ
en- to the occupation.