HINTS ON POT PLANTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 16, 30 December 1932, Page 10

HINTS ON POT PLANTS

In holiday time, with everyone rushing from place to place, indoor plants suffer more than at any other time. With the house shut up and the w'indows closed all day, and the sun beating down on the iron roof, many casualties occur among plants. Perhaps the most popular of drawing-room plants are the palms and aspidistras. These are really not hard to grow, although complaints are often made by people who do not understand their treatment, and invariably neglect, accounts for many palms dying off. Every few months an application of liquid manure weak solution could be used with advantage. This should be sufficient to give the foliage a green, healthy appearance. Palms require fairly small pots and with the help of a little manure they should not need repotting for two years. Pot plants should not be allowed to become dry or caked hard. The best way is to plunge the pot in a pail of water at least twice a week and leave it to soak for half an hour. Seale often takes its toll on nalms attacking the foliage. A weekly sponging of water will keep the leaves clean and feduce the likelihood cf disease. Never jntpose the foliage to sunlight, as the

warmth turns the leaves yellow and scorches them.

If th.se few simple hints are remembered the loss of palms should be greatly reduced.