ELECTRIFYING PLANTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19842, 10 January 1920, Page 15

ELECTRIFYING PLANTS.

The amateur gardener’s friend is a clever scheme devised by a trans-Ate lantio flower grower for reviving almost lifeless plants, by the application of low-voltage direct current, such as that supplied from a dry or other battery. One of tho experiments was tried on a small cactus plant which had been sent from Mexico, and which seemed to pine awaya, rapidly. The cactus was about dead when the experiment of applying electric current to it was first tried. In this method two cells of dry battery were connected up with some fine copper wire, the positive polo being connected to a nail placed in the soil of Vie flower pot, while tho negative pole was secured delicately around the upper branch. The cactus brightened Up very sprightly after onp week of hus treatment, and in two weeks it was plump, green, and growing nicely. Further experiments ware tried on a rose bush and a fuchsia with good results. When trying this system care should be taken to see that the positive wire from the battery is applied to tho root of the plant and tho negative pole to tho foliage, so as to promote the flow of sap upward. Other interesting experiments were tried by the florist in kue.stion, notably on a small plum tree, which was electrically treated with six cells, with the result that it blossomed out fully, several days ahead of the other A/lIAAahA lunan ••