Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-12-21

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The earth in the pots dries up quickly, the
plants Immediately feel it and many of the
leaves shriyel while insect pests are the
ready prey Of plants grown under these con.
dihon'' To overcome these and keep the
plants In healthy growth requires the constant
care of the housewife. Plants which are
neglected quickly resent it and as quickly
show it,
Now it is well to remember and to prac.
,ice those little arts of care for which the
plant. will surely repay you. They will do
this Immediately by more healthy stocky
growth. and later in the season by an album
dance Of bloom The plants in the window
should receive daily care with as mu h reg
ularity as the beds in the chamber. II you
do not have time to look after the whole Of
them where there is collection Of eonsd-
cradle size, look after those on a certain
shelf one day and on another shelf or brack-
ct the following day. Pick off all the dried
up unsightiy leaves. Turn the pots round
little every few days so that the different
sides of the plant will come to the sun and
grow more uniformly. And while your In
gers are in among the stalks picking off the
dead leaves, just do little pinching-in Of
the new shoots here and there, so that
the plants may grow symmetrical and Of
good shape. If that geranium is running up
its shoots too tall, pinch of the terminal leaf
or leaf stalk, and cause it to throw out side
shoots and thus become more .tccky. II
sbundantly stocky, pinch back the side
branches and let it stretch up some. And it
it is all right in shape and please, You well,
Just keep it so. Any of the honse plants
submit gracefully to this thumb-and finger
pruning, and. by its judicious use you can
bring your plants into almest any desired
shape or form that you wish.
In regard to watering which is essential to
good care, much could be said, for upon the
use or over-use of water in the management
of house plants will in great measure depend
their best health and most abundant bloom.
But plauts upon the window shelf OF the
dining room or Inrlor cannot be treated to
wa err in the manner employed by most green
house men. These professionals use = rose
spray operated by hand force pump, and
the water goes Just where it pleases, falling
over all the leaves and in trickling shower
down upon the ear th in the pots. This keeps
the atmosphere of the greenhouse moist and
humid, but such treatment cannot generally
be given to plants in rooms The spraying
or sprinkiing of the water would soil the
paper, aud injure the carpets and furaiture
when done so promiscuously. And yet, the
sprinkling of the leaves Of the plants by
dashing water upon them Win the hand from
an open dish is the next best thing to a plant
syringe or rose spray, which all do not have.
In watering window plants the method is
generally to apply the water to the earth in
the pots and seldom to the leaves. But the
leaves of all plants need good sprnklng
once in a while, as much as the plants in the
open border need a summer shower. Besides
this il is one of the best things to give the
plants a good sudsing two or three times in
the course Of the winter. This is 4 good jos
for wash-day aftern Dons. Have a big tub
two-thirds full of tepid water, and douce the
plants in il all over Then give the leaves a
light rubbing to rid them of the dust and dirt
which has been adhering to them for weeks,
and the plants will come out of their mid
winter bath refreshed and invigorsted, the
leaves will open wider, the little stalks will
stand up s.raighter, and the whole plant
when it is again put on the shelf where it will
receive the winter sunshne-oh how much
m ore grateful it seems than the sunshine of
June-will grow as never before. Moreover
this sll-over bath is the very bes, means for
Kidding the plants of the insect mites, plant
lice, red spider, and white slugs which all
thrive so Justify upon the plants when the
room Is kept hot, and they are not watered or
properl, tended. Some ladies use very hot
water. especially for Gala lily, or any plant
which they wish to force; but generally the
use of hot water for wind Nv plants is not to
be advised. The earth in pot plants in .
sunny window. becomes very warm, and it is
0
better for the plant to have its temperature
cooled downs little By being watered with
cold water.
Generally mid-winter bloom is not desired.
What is better is to have the plants grow Wig
orous and stocky till the las, of February, and
from that time on. if they have been
we'll cared for they will give pro-
fusion of flowers. It is better from now on
to the middle of February, sure, to pinch Oh
the blossom stalks whenever they appear
/ The plant /. all the better for it and the
flowers when you let them mature will be
! larger and of richer color from being the
product of strong, vigorous stalks.
/ These hints and suggestions observed and
the window garden will be a JOY and pleasure
until we can have the wider and fuller 'atls'
faction derived from the more perfect growth
and bloom Of the plants in the delightful at
mo,phere of the coming June days.