Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-01-12
MatrrInr Home plants.

watering House Plants.
"There are exceptions to all rules"
therefore no certain directions can he CIV
en- for watering plants that will apply TO
all varieties alike. Just as different indl-
viduals of the human race differ in habits
and dispositions, so do the different species
of plants. The treatment under which
Gala would thrive would be destruction TO
a cactus. Yet the majority Of plants are
governed by general rules. and experiment
will point out "the exceptions"
A plant in a state of rest needs but little
water; ii rather seems to enjoy little neg
lect, that is, If it is not allowed TO wilt On
the contrary, il II is growing vigorously, 1t
requires a more abundant supply Of nour-
ishment, just as the laborlng man needs
more and more substantial food than the
idler.
Much less food is necessary in cold than
in warm weather, as plants then grow but
slowly. Morning seems to be the most
suitable time for watering, and lukewarm
water should be used, applied to the sur
face of the soil. ] have sometimes seen 1t
poured into the saucers of the pots, to soak
up into the earth al its leisure; but nature
does not perform her operations by such
process, but sends the rain down from
above, and probably her example will he
safe to follow.
Under the treatment Of people Of limited
experience in window gai dening, plants
are apt to suffer from a lack Of water or
from too abundant supply-they are eli
Their starved or drowned. Tie result in
either case is about the same; the leaves
turn yellow, drop Off, and the whole plant
presents sickly and forlorn appearance.
Those who cannot find time to attend TO
their wants, and yet have love of them,
should devote themselves exclusively to
the cactus tribe. This family of plants
thrives even under The most marked neg
lect, and overlooks all sights with a most
fOrgiving spirit.
Hanging BASKETS are great sufferers from
carelessness and negligence. From their
exposed position moisture soon evaporates.
They are strict believers in both INNER
sion and sprinkling A hanging basket is
thing of beauty or an object Of pity, ac-
cording to the treatment it receives. Fill
ed with gracefully dropping, twining vines,
and with lovely flowers peeping from the
midst Of luxuriant foliage, what an exquis-
lie ornament! As too often seen, with
few sickly, starvedlooking specimens Of
vegetati on hardly recognizable as old
friends one instinctvcly feels like con-
signing it TO the rubbish heap.
But the over jealous amateur is more in
clined TO go 10 the other extreme, and keep
the earth thoroughly soaked to the consis-
a
will do for aquatic plants; but most house
plants are not Of that nature. Especially
ifa plant dues not grow thrifily il is sup
posed 10 be 81 k, and is treated Oh the hO-
m9opathic principle that what causes
disease will also cure it, and water is un-
sparingly applied 10 The already saturated
soil. Perhaps also liquid manure or some
patent "pant fOof," is administered as a
medicine. The organs of the plant are gorg-
cd with nUurisBment and the delicate roots
are destroyed. The practitioner is puzzled
TO account Tor the loss ofthe plant, hut con-
sOles himself with the reelection that il was
frOm no lack Of care, but from some mys-
ferrous cause. Now, a mole sensible course
of treatment would he TO re-pot the plant
in fresh soil in clean flower pot, giving
water enough to settle the earth about the
roots, and then TO apply no mere until the
plant shows indications Of growth, unless
the moisture entirely evaporates.
Another cause of unhealthy plants il
watering often and in small quantities.
Those who are constantly dribbling small
supply of water on their plants will not
have them in a nourishing condition for
any length of time. The reason is obvious;
the surface Of the soil is kept moist, but the
lower roots perish for want of water. A
plant should not be watered until il is in a
condition TO receive liberal supply of the
element, which being given, it only asks
TO be let alone for a season.
Besides watering the roots, the foliage
requires nearly as much attention. Warm
baths, showering, &C., are necessary to re-
move dust and dirt, which are as Injurious
to the plant as they are to the human race
Wafer il also injurious to the constitution
Of that sly, mischievous enemy, the red
spider; lis thorough use once or twice a
week will spoil Mr.. Spiders appetite for
feeding ON the green pastures of roses, car
nations, &c.