Flowers in Pots

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23121, 20 August 1938, Page 10 (Supplement)

Flowers in Pots

Use Only the -Correct Sized Vessel

rpHERE is quito a fascination in the growing of pot plants, but tho measure of success obtained depends largely on the various details being carried out properly. Tho error most amateur gardeners mako is that of over potting, that is, placing a plant in a pot which affords more root room than is required. This is dono in the mistaken assumption that tho larger the bodv of soil available lor tho roots, the better will be the progress of the plant. Jn actual fact, there could be nothing further from the truth. If n, plant, with a comparatively small mass of roots, is placed in a large body of soil, much of this will remain unoccupied for a long period. Constant waterwill wash this unoccupied compost

clown to a hard mass, impervious alike to air or root action. In a very short time the whole body of soil within the pot will be soured. Moreover, roots grow most freely when quite close to the pot walls. The rule to adopt in practically every case, is to use the smallest- size of pot which will comfortably accommodate tho roots. This is true, whether potting plants for the first time or when ino\ing on into larger sizes. Tho shifts must be gradual. A plant in a three and a-half inch pot must not be shifted right away into a six or seven-inch size, it must be put in a five-inch size, and, when this receptable in turn proves too small, it can be moved to a larger; one. it must not be imagined, in spite of what has been said regarding the evils of overpotting, that allowing the roots to become pot-bound will have anything but disastrous consequences. There are a few subjects which do not give of their best until they are in an almost root-bound condition, but to allow most plants to become so will impose a severe check on their progress. Tho roots matted around the sides of tho pot have no chance of deriving sustenance from tho soil, and in hot weather they are likely to be badly scorched and shrivelled. A happy medium should be observed, and as safe a rule as any, is to pot oil, just as soon as the roots are breaking freolv through the soil ball, thry have a chance to heeome coiled around it. Cleanliness is, of course, a factor of first importance. Plants should ne/er be placed in wet or;dirty pots For one thing, it will be found impossible to turn them out when the time comes for giving a move to a larger size. The root tips will cling tenaciously to any old soil 01 dirt adhering to the sides of the pot. The ouler side is of no less importance, green slime and moulds materially, affecting the porosity of th<j pot walls. Unless these are scrubbed away, the plants will certainly suffer from their presence. Another point to hear in mind is that new pots, before they are used, must be thoroughly soaked for an hour or two, then allowed to dry. If this is not done, the pots will absorb a great deal of moisture from tho soil, necessitating frequent waterings after potting; a state of affairs never desirable.