Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-08
ONLY GERANIUMS.
They're Common, but Have Their De.
sirabIe Qualities.

GcraniumS are noted for their very
many desirable qualities, but they have
one characteristic that entities them to
front place in the window garden.
They will grow and flourish and bloom
Under conditions which would prompt
~ kill many other plants. There is no
end to the list of good varieties from
which one may choose, either double
or single, the colOrs ranging from pure
white to the deepest red.
While these old-time favorites may
be made to produce flowers almost
continuously, it can only be done to the
detriment of the plants vitality, and
at the expense of size and quality of
bloom. The only correct plan is to pre-
pare during the summer the plants that
are wanted for winter blooming. AL
though too late now to accomplish this
in the window garden, for the present
season, few words on this feature of
geranium culture will not be amiss
here, leaving the thorough treatment
of the subject for some later issue.
To have good blooming geraniums in
the winter, select small plants in the
spring or early summer, keep them in
pots, which may be plunged to the rim
in sheltered place outdoors, pinch out
the struggling branches to make the
plant grow bushy, and promptly re-
move every bud as soon as it makes it's
appearance. Early in September repot
| in somewhat larger pots, and keep out
of doors until there is danger of frost.
After bringing into the house the ac-
tual work Of caring for the geranium
for the winter will begin. If possible
keep in a cool room, or even a cold one,
but so that they may not freeze They
will also withstand heated tempera-
ture if greater care in watering is
used and If given a frequent airing.
Always keep the plants clean, giving
them frequent shower baths with water
just lukewarm. The amount of water
ing necessary on the soil will depend to
a great extent upon the drainage. If
the water runs through at the bottom,
with very little delay, there will be no
great danger of overwhelming. If not,
greater care and judgment must be
used, as then there is danger of max
ing the soil sour and killing the plants.
The best rule is to wait until the soil
on top looks dry and crumbly, and then
to soak it thoroughly. The water that
SdtHeIS III Tic SduStI Is apt " IOl Tic
roots. and should, therefore, be poured
away at once. You will, too, more
readily appreciate the Importance of all
this if you will observe the plants
kept by florists. The soil always APP
pears to be just moist; never soggy
Good drainage is the cause.
What has been said above about
keeping geraniums cool refers only to
artificial heat. Although they will live
in it, they do not like it. On the other
hand. they want all the sunshine they
car get. Put the plants in your sun
NEST window, and as close to the glass
as you can. They will begin to produce
flowers at once, and a weekly dose Of
liquid manure will not only increase
the number of blooms, but will also
make them larger and heighten the
brilliancy of the colors. If, in spite of
intelligent treatment along the lines
suggested, plant refuses to respond.
it should be thrown out to make room
for something else.
Some of the best double varieties are
| the following: Bruant, bears immense
| trusses of vermillion red; s.. A. Mutt,
| beautiful dark crimson; La Favorite
| and Countess de Harcourt, both pure
| white; Mrs. Gladstone. white shaded
| pink; Pink Beauty, enormus clusters
of deep, rich pink. Of single sorts
| choice set can be made up as follows:
| Granville, a fine pink; Countess de
Blancas. a beautiful light salmon;
| Columbia, a superb, dazzling scarlet;
Negus Menelik, cream white shaded
pink: DR.. Marmoteck. bright violet,
changing to white, violet and carmine;
Jacquerie, dark, rich crimson
1t is sometimes suggested that after
the first year geranium Is not Of
| much account. AS a matter of fact,
even with the best of treatment it
does not reach its full beauty and de-
| velopment until the second year. And
even after that time. by judicious cut
ting back, renewing the soil and giving
| good resting periods. the plant may be
| renewed for an indefinite period
Pittsburg Dispatch.