PLANTS IN HOUSE

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29843, 8 June 1962, Page 8

PLANTS IN HOUSE

Watering Is Essential

The commonest cause of failure with house plants is due to watering. Plants are either watered too little or too much. At this time of the year the latter is more common. It takes considerable experience to know when a plant needs water so don’t get into the habit of watering daily, every second Monday or when you remember. Water when the plant needs it The following are a few points to help you:— A rap on the pot will give a ringing sound If dry but a dull one if wet (Rapping is a guide, with clay pots only, not plastic). Weighing the plant pot in the hand can be a guide as a dry pot will naturally be lighter than a wet one. Feeling the soil will give an indication as to whether it is dry.

The surface soil of a dry pot is lighter in colour than one which is wet. Remember also that plastic pots dry out more slowly than clays. Plants growing in a hot dry room will need more water. During the winter the majority of plants make little growth whilst many are dormant so very little water is needed. Most plants benefit from these drier conditions, for in this condition they are better able to withstand lower temperatures. Watering must, however, be more liberal with plants that are in active growth, such as bulbs in pots or plants that are flowering. When cyclamen become dry. even for a short while, their leaves turn yellow even though the flowers remain in good condition. Never have plants standing permanently in saucers of water. This causes waterlogging of the soil in the bottom of the pot which eventually kills the roots. It is a common mistake and must be avoided, especially at this time of the year. Either pour away the water when the plant has drained or fill the saucer with sand, or fine gravel, and stand the plant on that.

Tallow for Shanghai.— The Tauranga abattoir by-pro-ducts factory is developing an export trade with Shanghai In tallow. A shipment of 100 tons—valued at £4600 —was being loaded on the Kwangsi, to sail for Shanghai last night.—(P.A.)