Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-09-23

growth through the drainage hole
the lifting should not injure the
plant in any way. Since reporting
should have been taken care of
last spring, when the plants were
into the garden, the only
essential step at this season is
to remove the surface dirt. Re-
place this with a mixture of COM
post and loan and well-rotted
manure If available. A teaspoon
of bonemeal might we'll be mixed
with the am-compost-manure
mixture. Do not fill the pot level
full, because, in watering, "a inch
or more space to catch the water
is necessary for a good soaking.
Destroy All Insects.
The next step has to do with
the removal of insect pests that
may be hiding on the plant. 1t
is far better to destroy all of
these pests before bringing the
plants indoors because spraying
indoors is a messy job. Spider
mites cred spiders )may be killed
with a busting sulphur or a pre-
pared miticide. Dust or spray
one day and the next give the
plants a strong hosing with cold
water. The hosing will, in most
cases, be as effective as the spray
ing or busting in removing red
spiders and plant lice. If the
blast hits every part of the plant,
no further trouble is likely dur
ing the winter. Scale insects are
more difficult to" remove, but
fortunately they are not common.
Mealy bugs. however, are very
common and the material used
for their control will also get
,he scale insects. Greenhouse
Volck is one of the most COM
monty available materials for this
purpose. They are called contact
Unjust hit the insect
TO be effectivel.
With the plants cleaned and
Tree of pests, there is one fur
5her point-discard weaklings.
II they are not in good health
and vigor at this season, they
are not likely to improve under
conditions BETTER tbrou,
them out now.
However. if the only fault is
a misshapen plant it may be
trimmed and brought into shape
IN short order. Snip off the long
growthS of all plants except the
oolnsetta-to remove the ends of
the poinsetta branches is to re-
move the bracts that will turn
red. If pruning makes the plant
4 bit unsightly. it may be parked
N an out-of-the-way spot for a
few weeks until new growth makes
It more presentable.
Spray Until Adjusted.
The foliage should be syringed
TWO or three times daily until
they have become more or less
adjusted to the dry atmosphere.
The Swinging might well be con-
lnued on a regular schedule dur
ng the winter time in order to
leep the foliage free of dust. The
if done with cold water
applied with force, will also do
much to control insect pests. The
'yringing with cold water does
lot apply to African violets or
'loxinias.
That takes care of the usual
'ariety Of house plants. but there
ire some other possibilities for
winter bloom. There are the small
plants OF ANIMALS which for ont
'eason or another did not reach
lowering size in time to stage
heir show of color. They have
small root systems and can be
lifted and potted now for indoor
bloom later on. Some will be So
small that two or three may be-
placed in a 3-inch pot. Larger
ones may be ported to enjoy in
solitary splendor. Feed lightly
4 tablet or a quarter cupful of
starter solution-water and place
IN a shady situation for a few
days until they have recovered
from the shock of TRANSFORMING.
Mote: Large plants whose roots
are disturbed are seldom worth
'aving) These plants may be
moved into the house where they
will provide early winter bloom.
Marigolds, ageratum, calendula
and many others are worth a trial.
Not all will thrive in a given
situation but some may survive
and reward the window gardener
for the effort.
Some May Be Moved in Later.
There are one or two excep-
ions to the September moving
lay. The amaryllis may we'll be
eft out of doors until the first
light frost and then taken indoors
md parked in a dark corner for
rest period. The gloxinia may
llSo be given the same treatment
some do not seem to
iced rest period.
There are those plants which
lid not take a summer vacation.
They need the top soil replenished,
good Swinging and plant food,
ither tablet or liquid. Also, they
nay need a bit of trimming to i
make them compact and bushy.
Finally, give the sun-loving
'lants a sunny window, but re-
member at this season the sun
light may need to be tempered
l.