Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-02-07
PALMS AND FERNS.
Hints for the Promotion of Their Well
Being-A Cure for "the
Sulks"

Palms, ferns, fcuses and similar decor
alive plants should receive a great deal
of attention at this season of the year.
Perhaps the plants have a dry, withered
look, and maybe the fresh deep green
of the foliage has turned to a sickly
yellow. Perhaps the tips Of the leaves
have turned brown; perhaps some of
plants were growing thriftily when
brought in, but have since refused to do
anything but sulk If so, they have not
been receiving good care, and should be
seen to at once, for no plant will deport
itself improperly unless willfully neglect
ed or constitutionally weak.
With but few exceptions, the plants
herewith considered-ferns, palms and
rubber plants-require about the same
care, and we will first examine the soil.
Has 1t been in the pot for over year
and have no fertilizers been applied to
enrich it? If SO, it is time it was re-
moved. NO plant can do justice to itself
IN poor, wOrnout soil, and this fact
should be, but is not, remembered by all
flower growers. OF course, when plant
IS resting It does not matter so much
about the SOil-in fact, the specimen
should be left more or less alone; but a
resting plant and diseased plant are
different things, and require different
treatment. The one should be allowed to
VI.
plant is thrifty and healthy, but stops
sending forth new leaves for a few
months at a time. it is resting: if it
turns yellow and refuses to grow when it
ought to be growing, it il sick and should
be attended to. Many plants are Mt a
standstill from fan until February, 50
judgment should be used about disturb
ing them. and no fertilizers should be
given until growth begins.
rains ENJOY rather firm soil in which
there is little clay; but if this element
rs not to be had, provide the next best
thing. A light, spongy soil, like leaf
mould, is not admissible: but fine. clean
stable manure may be mixed with other
soil with good results: no fresh compost
are found of leaf-mould and sand. and
whenever possible should be provided
with the same With these facts in
mind remove the old soil from around
the base of the plant and replace it with
new, rich earth. Use common table
fork with care, and do not disturb the
roots any more than can be helped. Aft
er all the soil has been removed that can
ne got at, fill in the new dirt, pressing it
down rather firmly. Have it a little low
er than the rim of the pot and, where
palms are concerned. arrange it higher
directly around the base of the plant
than anywhere else in the dish
When the tips of the leaves turn
brown il is generally a sure sign that
something is wrong with the drainage
Good drainage is one of the secrets of
raising fine pot plants. As rule, do
not believe in reporting palms, etc. dur
ing the winter, because they have such
unfavorable conditions to contend with
in getting over the shock; but if it seems
the only thing to do for Il plant. | would
rather kill IT by reporting than have it
die on my hands from neglect. Always
remember never to pot or repot a PALM
ficus, or fern without putting an inch
and OTTER more-of charcoal, coarst peb-
bles or broken croekery in the bottom of
the pot. and cover this with sphagnum
moss. or something of like nature. 70 hold
the soil up where it belongs. This is an
should listen to.-The Household.