The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-12-19
PoTTEo PLANTS REQUIRE GREAT
CARE TO THRIVE.

Plants IN pots may be compared to
Gagged birds, both being unnatural
conditions. Their requirements must
be filled, or results will be unsstis-
factory. A free bird, or a free plant,
having the air Or mother earth around
II, can resist winds and dust and dry
ness aud many other things that in
terfere With growth; but when in
cages OF pots they are entirely al the
mercy of those who own them Birds
generally fare better than plants, for
II Is not uncommon to see plants sit-
ting In windows and on ratings OF
verandas, day after day, exposed TO
the sun, winds and dryuess; the pots
are porous and the roots OF the plants
are close against the side, they soon
become hard and dry and incapable
OF transmitting supplies TO the leaves
and stems
The plant itself exposed to winds
and dryness, reaches Il pitiable condi-
ton, and life soon becomes a prob
lem OF simple endurance, depending
entirely on Its powers OF resistance.
Their supply Of water is often dsf-
Client, the dry pot absorbing great
deal, and most of the water running
down OH the outside OF the ball. the
center OF the ball being dry.
Pot plants growing in exposed plac-
es should have double pots or pot
covers, much injury being done by the
exposure OF the porous clay OF the
pots to drying influences. There are
certain plants that can bear exposure
to adverse influences better than 9TH
ers. Among them are yuccas, aloss..
four-Croyas, palms, drancenas, aspaFa-
gus, sprengeri and few other plants
with thick, heavy leaves Plants in
pots should never be allowed to be-
come dry. Neglect OF this kind once
may cause more damage 10 the roots
OF plant than 1t can repair In q
month.
The ends of root are supplied with
mouths or ducts, through which they
absorb moisture or nutriment IL
these are destroyed by drying or de-
cayed by overwhelming, the source OF
supply Is cut on from the plant. II
has to put out new roots before II can
regain its yigor Hence the impor-
tance of care in watering.
New or dry pots should be soaked
In water before pOtting plants SO AS
TO fill the pores, or they will absorb
moisture from the soil and dry out
the roots. II Is Il good plan to pro-
tect ,pptted Splants with covers or set
them inside of second pot to keep
plants from drying out. The roots
near the sides of the pots are easily
dried in sun or draught. Covers or
double pots shade them. Covers can
be made of rice mattings and various
other materials, or pot covers can be
purchased ready made,
Plant rooted cuttings in two and
two and one-half inch pots, and repot
into larger sizes as the pots fll up
with roots. Small plants should new
er be put into large pots, but adyane-
ed as they gain size and strength II
oyerpotted, the soil becomes soddsn
before the plant grows large enough
to require room II grows slowly aud
often makes a complete failure. in
repotting, turn the pot over. face
down, placing the fingers across the
top TO hold the plant and gently tap
the edge OF the pot on the edge OF the
table or potting bench. Tho plant
will slip out easily ald their roots
can be examined and plant slipped
back in the pot, or potted on, as de-
sired.
II the roots have reached the out
side OF the ball and formed a net
work around 1t, It requires a larger
pot