TREATMENT OF PLANTS ON ARRIVAL BY PARCELS POST.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 13, 27 March 1912, Page 41

TREATMENT OF PLANTS ON ARRIVAL BY PARCELS POST.

As soon as the parcel of plants is received it should be carefully opened, and the whole placed on a bench in a cool place. Each package should be taken in turn and have the paper covering removed, then the plant, as it is, with thd moss attached, should be dipped into tepid water as high as the leaves, and any loose moss after this may -be removed, but care must be taken that the roots are not in any way interfered with. It ie a good plan after the dipping for a minute or two to pot up the plants, moss and all. or at any rate this would be a better plan than that the roots should be interfered with in any way. The soil should harve been prepared beforehand, and, consists of two-thirds good sound loam (yellow loam is good if procurable) of a fibrous nature, one-third coarse sand, and a dash of old sifted manure. This will make a good compost into which to pot the plants, 3 or 3$ inch pots being used, and the operation being firmly done, the soil well pressed down, and a couple of sharp knocks on the potting bench to settle the soil. When all are |H>tted up, give one good watering over head and all, and stand the plants in the shade, away from any hot sun, or put them in a co’d frame on * bed of sifted ashes, well beaten down, •nd keep the frame closed for a few day., giving air gradually, as the flagging of the grass, which is certain to

»wrue after so long a journey, begins to ameliorate. As the plants begin to recover it will be seen by the look of the leaves when root action commences, they can be given more air or stood out of doors entirely, and then potted into larger pots or planted out in wh ehever way the recipient thinks best. —H. W. Weguelin.