The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-15
The Propagation Of Home Plants.

New YORK commercial Advertiser.
The early morning is the best time for max
ing cuttings. before the sun has touched the
plant Should the day be cool and cloudy any
time before noon will answer. Cuttings from
soft plants, such as geraniu ms, petunias, coleus
and heliotrope should be made from side shoots
that are not strong, having three leaf buds, the
cut being made directly under a bud. Yer
benas, ivy, calceolarias and roses form roots at
every point, and therefore it is better TO cut
them between two leaf buds If bit of the old
wood can be retained upon the cutting of
woody plants, it is of advantage to leave it.
together with the large leaf sc the point where
the cut is made 1t should be borne in mind
that fuchsias and lantanas, which belong to the
woody Class, can only be propagated by
cuttings that are soft, and that.
side shoots root more rapidly than the ends. II
more cuttings are taken than can be Immediately
planted, cover them with CLOTH or place them
under bell or bowl, so that the air is excluded
For plants that root rapidly earth may be used
1t should be sandy and sfte6 through a fine
sieve. Coarse sand is used for those plants that
require greater length of time for the formation
of the roots, and sand is preferable for all sorts
Of cuttings Fill pots or seed-saucers full of
sand or sandy earth, after having put in a layer
Of sherds or charcoal, and press firmly on the
top that force is required to push the finger
in at the surface, while beneath the earth Is
loose. Then, with stick. make the holes for
the cuttings, sufficiently far apart to prevent
them from coming into contact with one an
that the leaves shall not wilt The leaves, with
the exception of the case before mentioned,
should be cut off as far the slip is put in
the earth. If there be too many leaves on the
cutting, they may be trimmed with scissors. No
blossom or flower bud should remain. When
making the cut see that it is clean one. A bit
of cardboard may be laid against the inner side
Of the right thumb; the twig should he held in
the left hand, with the point at which the cut is
to be made resting upon the pasteboard, and
then sharp penknfe will do the work neatly
Care must be taken that the slip is not crushed
or bruised. To procure normal healthy plants,
1t is necessary to have the cuttings in good con-
dition and well formed, and they must be free
from dust or earth. Should they not DO per-
causes the slip to mildew, and then it is lost be-
yond hope of recovery. Callas may be repotted
now The young ''brood" should be
removed from the parent root and
planted in small pots four inches
in diameter. Soil obtained from good pasture
land is admirable, any rich garden earth
may be employed, with little sand placed
directly about the roots. Stone jars are excel
lent pots for callas, as they rejoice in moisture
An excellent plan is to put tin tube in the
earth in the jar, and twice a week to pour off
the water found in it. The plants should be
kept wet. always watering with warm water.
If several bfossoming plants desired in one
jar, do not separate the shoots from the old root
A little ammonia may be added to the water
once a week.
A point to be remembered is that if large
howerpots are used there will be more leaves
than flowers. Often plants have refused to
blossom simply because, having so much space.
their energies were bent upon forming rootlets
and leaves.
Cuttings of cactus should have the cut per-
fectly dry before they are planted.