PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20402, 2 November 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

NEED FOR CLOSE ATTENTION. Tho season has again arrived when plants under glass will require increased attention. At. this time watering is one of the most important operations, for as the season advances and the temperature increases more ventilation must, bo given, with the result that the soil dries quickly aud the plants soon suffer if their wants

arc not supplied. When and how to water is certainly one of the most important things in plant culture. As frequently mentioned in these columns, the safest guide is to water when the soil si rows signs of dryness on the surface, and then give sufficient to thoroughly moisten the soil. Quick-growing plants that soon fill the pots with roots naturally absorb more moisture thau slower growing piants and require watering more frequently, but in all cases the above rule is the" best and safest guide for the amateur to adopt in watering all kinds of plants. NEED FOR JUDICIOUS SHADING. Judicious shading too, must be applied, particularly during the hottest part of ' the day, though this of course can only apply where portable blinds are used Shade, however, the plants must have, and if movable blinds are not used, then tha glass should be painted over with whiting and sour milk or other material that will afford the protection necessary during the hot weather. .1 he great advantage of movable blinds is that they can be rolled up at night or :n dull weather when shade is not required. Attention must also be given to repotting as the plants require more root space, in this, plants naturally vary in their requirements according to the growth mad<» and root space required. Rapidgrowing plants quickly fill the pots with roots and exhaust any plant food the soil contains, and in such cases repotting is necessarv. or else the roots must be supplied with food in liquid form. Slowgrowing plants on the other hand must in no case be- overpottcd. frequency in watering. Throughout the summer frequent applications of water are needed so that a free outlet for surplus moisture is most essential. Plants growing in hanging baskets invariable* require extra attention to watering. The fact of the baskets being in most cases hung from the root and exposed on every side to the action of the air results in their drying mora rapidly and needing more frequent waterinrr# " .\ s the heat increases plants not onTv require more, moisture, but to maintain healthy growth a genial humid temperature should he maintained. During the summer most plants thrive best if placed or partly plunger] on a layer ot sand, finely sifted coke or other suitable material. , ~ • „ ,\ s already stated most plants thrive best when grown in a genial moist temperature. 'while some of the worst pests that disfigure the foliage of many plants will nob thrive in it. The exception, however, is the green aphis, which at this season attacks the foliage of many plants. The young tender fronds of maiden-hair ferns, especially, are liable to the attacks of this pest. Upon the least signs of these upon ferns or other plants, either fumigating the house, or spraying the plants with insecticide should be at once proceeded witlu,