The Portland daily press., 1878-09-10
Lifting and Pofting Plants.

The season is again drawing near tor lifting
out OF the ground plants intended for flower
ing in the greenhouse during winter; there.
fore, a few remarks on lifting and potting
may not be out OF place just now. The best
time for lifting plants from the ground is
when the soil is in moist condition, and
during dull weather, as then evaporation is
not SO rapid as during sunny DAYS More or
less mutilation of the roots attends the lifting
OF plants, be it ever so carefully done. 1t is
therefore necessary to prune back the tops
proportiOnate to the destruction of the roofs.
Stevias and E1patoriums generally make
very strong, and therefore very succulent
growths when planted into rich soils, and if
not cut well back in the tops, are apt to wilt
badly, and If not kept well shaded and the
foliage dampened often, never recover from
the severe check they receive.
Lemon verbena aud rose geranium are two
plants difficult to lift from the ground, and do
not succeed we'll if not cut well back, say
about two-thirds of the soft wood, Roses
should also be cut back to the partially
ripened wood, and the soil pressed firmly
around the roots. No plant l know requires
firmer potting than the rose.
Several weeks previous to commencing to
hit plants out OF the ground for potting, the
soil intended to be used should be turned. and
the manure thoroughly Incorporated with it.
and when used should be neither too wet nor
too dry. Have the different sizes of pots
neeGed in readiness, so that the work can 90
on unlnterruptedly when commencement
is made. Reduce the ball of soil attached
with the roots to the plant, just enough to
permit its going freely into the pot then press
the soil firmly about the roots with a narrow
strip oil wood, SO that no empty space may be
LETT around the pot. After The operation give
a good watering, but do not keep the soil in
uAt IrnfiI
starred. Many newly ported plants are de-
stroyed Win LOO much water before there
are any fresh rootlets to absorb il from the
soil. An occasional moistening overhead is a
great benefit during dry period they should
also have a partial shade from the sun for sew.
eral days after being potted. Have them we'll
hardened before the cool nights begin, as the
harder they are and the more accustomed to
plenty of ventilation before winter sets in, SO
much the better can they endure the cold
weather.
Such plants as Azaleas and Camellias
should have abundance of air day and night
after being housed for several weeks, as often
the Duds OF camellias drop when kept too
close after being brought in from their sum-
meT quarters out doors.
All kinds of soft wooded greenhouse flow
ering plants do much better planted ON the
greenhouse benches, when it is convenient to
do so. Ihey produce flowers Tor longer
period and more abundant than when con-
fined in pots. When lifting plants to be
planted out on the benches, leave a good
large ball of soil on them and plant just as
soon as possible after being taken out of the
ground so that there may be no danger of the
root dying up before they are again in the
moist soil.
Carnations do not require any cutting of
the tops when lifted, il carefully done. They
may be in full flower, and if shaded will
bloom as ifAthey had mott been disturbed.