The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-01-15
care u PIot PIantis.

9tPlants in pots may be compared TO
Gagged birds, both being in unnatural
eonditions. Their requirements must be
filled, or results win be unsatisfactory.
! free bird, or a free plant, haying the
air, or mother earth around them, can.
resist winds, and dust and dryness.
and many other things that interfere
with growth; but when in cages or
pots, they are entirely at the mercy Of
those who own them. Birds generally
fare better than plants, for II is not
uncommon to see plants sitting ON
windows and on raiIings OF verandas,
day after day, exposed to the sun,
winds dryness: 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 sup
plies to the leaves and stems The
dryness, reaches a pitable condition,
and life soon becomes a matter Of sim
pie endurance. depending entirely upon
It's powers Of resistance. The supply
ofwater is often deficient the dry pot
absorbing a great deal, and most of the
water running down on the outside of
the ball. the ceraer OF the ball being
dry,
Pot plants growing in exposed places
should have double pots or pot covers.
much injury being done by the expos
ure of the porus clay of the pots to dry
ing influences. There are certain
plants that can bear exposure to ad-
verse influences, better than others
Among them are yuccas, aloes, four
croyas, palms, drancenas, asparagus
sprengeri and a few other plants with
thick leathery leaves. Plants in pots
should never be allowed to become dry.
Neglect Of this kind once may cause
more damage to the roots OF q plant
than, II can repair in MONTH The
ends ofsa root are supplied tn mouths
or ducts. through which they absorb
moisture or nutrinfent. If these are
destroyed by drying or decayed by
over watering, the source OF supply is
cut or from the plant. 1t has 70 put
out new roots before II can regain It's
vigor Hence the importance of care
in watering, s s
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.
It is good plan to protect potted
plants with covers or set them inside
Of q second pot to keep plant from dry
Ing out. The roots near the sides az
the pots are easily dried In sun or
draught. Covers or double pots shade
them. Covers can be made Of rics
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 All up with
roots. Small plants should never Sc
put into large pots. but advanced as
they gain size and strength. II over
potted. the soil becomes sodden before
the plant grows large enough to re-
quire room. II grows slowly ana often
makes complete failure. In repottlng
turn the pot over. face down. placing
the fingers across the top to hold the
plant and gently tap the edge OF the
table or potting bench The plant win
slip out easily and their roots can be
examined and plant slipped back iii the
pot. or potted on. as desired.
If the roots have reached the outside
Of the bali and formed network
around II, II requires a larger pot.