Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-21
Plotting Plants.

1t would seem as if potting plant properly
was SO simple a matter that any suggestions
about it were wholly unnecessary. but it will
be found many causes of failure in growing
plants well are directly traceable to faulty pot
ting.
One source of trouble is potting too high.
BY that is meant the pot is SO filled with soil
before the plant is put in, that when you come
to add the plant and its roots to the soil in the
pot you find that it fills it completely. There is
no space between the surface of the soil and
the rim of the pot, and when you come 70
apply water you find that most of it runs off.
Not enough finds its way into the soil to reach
all the roots and wet the soil all through
Suppose you examine pot in which the soil
comes to the top immediately after you have
applied water. Turn it up and slip the ball OF
earth out of it. Ten chances to one you win
find that the bottom is dry. If this is the case
immediately after watering it stands to reason
that 1t IL so all the time. Ii this is the case
you cannot expect plants to do WELL for the
new roots must have moisture if You would
have satisfactory development. Half the fail
ures that are complained of result from this
lack of moisture. Always advise pot low. That
is. have the earth in the pot at least an inch
below the rim of the pct. When you water,
apply enough to fill the pot to its brin and let
it soak into the soil. II proper drainage has
been provided there will be no danger of over
watering. What is not required will drain off.
AT the bottom of the pot the drainage mate
rial should be at least an inch deep, and in large
pots two inches are better. Immediately over
this place layer of moss or cocoa fiber. or
something of like nature that will prevent the
soil from washing down and filling up the
cracks between whatever you use for drainage
Then put III some potting soil. but not very
much. before you place your plant in the pot.
and see about where the top of the compost
VIII come when you have completed the opera
ton. Aim to have the base of the plant at
least below the rim of the pot. and add or take
out till you have it just right. Pack the soil
about the plant with the hand. as most plants
require to be potted firmly enough to stand
alone without the use of sticks other sup
port. After filling in much soil as seems
necessary jar the pot well to settle it. and then
water thoroughly. If. after the soil has settled.
it seems too low add enough to bring it up to
the requisite level.
II gave an assistant instructions to repot some
palms for me last spring." writes a correspon-
dent. land supposed he understood what was
required. and left him to perform the opera
ton. Coming back a short time after, I found
that he had filled the pots to the brim with soil
1t was not convenient to repct Just then. and
in consequence l have been obliged to supply
water to every one of these plants by setting
the pots in tubs of water all through the season
Not a twentieth part of the water required to
thoroughly saturate the soil could be given by
pouring it on the surface. Most would run off
though the top of the soil looked moist enough.
Had depended on this limited supply to fur
nish what the roots required, would have lost
my plants. Had the soil been an inch below
the top OF the pot, could have applied enough
to wet it all through easily. knowing the dam
ger that was to be avoided have governed
myself accordingly, but the amateur may not
think of this in time to save her plants. and
have thought best to call attention to it."