BASKET PLANTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 57, 7 March 1936, Page 6 (Supplement)

BASKET PLANTS.

Basket plants are very popular at times, especially if fitting" positions can be found for them. One tiling to remember is to be sure and hang them where they will not knock the heads of people who may have occasion to walk under them. In a greenhouse, conservatory, porch or verandah one or two baskets of ferns, ivy geranium, lobelia, nasturtium, etc., look very nice. Probably the most exacting part of hanging baskets is the watering and this needs very close attention, especially if the basket is hung where it gets a portion of the mid-day sun or in a draughty position. By the way a draughty position or one open to "the wind should be avoided if possible, for the reasons that it calls for excessive watering to keep the soil damp and .also tho plants will not furnish the basket evenly, as the side exposed to the I draught is retarded. Actually the best place for baskets is in slight shade and sheltered from wind. One of the bdst basket plants is the lachenalia. It does well in a basket, the plant naturally lends itself to this method of cultivation, and it flowers in winter and early spring, when the conditions are naturally moist. The baskets should be well lined with fresh moss and the compost used should be good loam, a little leaf soil and some sand. The drainage is naturally perfect and therefore the soil should be good. In any case, 110 matter, how good the soil to start with, the drainage is so free that applications of weak liquid manure must be given | once or twice a week if aiiy basket plant is to be kept in health, and it must be a "complete" manure, such as liquid manure made from cow, sheep or horse droppings, with the addition of a little soot, o r it can be one of the proprietary mixtures that can be bought ready mixed, but in this case only use a well-tried and well-proved article. No matter what the weather, baskets will need daily attention, and even a shower of rain which will appear to have given a good soaking to the garden will not be sufficient to let the baskets o- 0 unattended for a day. 5 °