GARDENING NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 14 October 1915, Page 47

GARDENING NOTES

(By Mr J, Joyce, Landscape Gardener, Christchurch.) TREATMENT OF INDOOR PLANTS. Mr. J. J. Burrows, of Nazareth House, 'tJurist- • cauieh, desires some, inform at : -;n on the management - of indoor palms. He says they have got on tolerably, well. But he is not satisfied, he would like them to get on better. I think Mr. Bui rows ought to be very pleased that his plants are getting on so well, as most iud-jor plants suffer a great deal from their constant confinement. Plants that are grown in the house without a change to the bright sunlight and pure air, are ve»-y liable to show many defects in Heir foliage, such as an occasional leaf getting discolored, or the tvos of the leaves becoming withered. These defects are the result of the plants being kept indoors and out cf their proper element. To keep palms and other plants in a healthy state they should not be left indoors tou long. The best plan is to keep a relay of such and give them change about, then they will last very much longer. The gas and the close atmosphere of a room do not suit plants, and those who keep them confined for any length of time will soon find them showing signs of decay. All plants like a damp atmosphere, and this is a condition that will not be possible in a dwelling house, so that the life of any species of plant, confined in that manner, is very short. All plants are very sensitive to wrong treatment, and will soon show the effect of it. In many shop windows and halls we see evidence of the bad treatment to which plants are subjected. It is not unusual to see a large pot or tub with a poor, half-starved plant in one or the other struggling for an existence. You may very often see several with a green leaf or two growing out of the heart of the plant and perhaps half a dozen leaves in different stages of decay with a covering of dust on the once green and healthy foliage. One is always sorry to see good plants treated in such a manner. Plants, which are allowed to get to such a stage through neglect and want of attention, are no ornament, and are only fit for the dust heap. They very often suffer for want of water until there is a rainy day, when they are put outside to get a drenching and a much needed washing of the foliage at the same time. This is very beneficial, but it is not sufficient. Plants should be watered when they need it, and then it should be done thoroughly, so that the water may get to every part of the pot or tub, otherwise some of the roots will get none, and as a result the plant will suffer. When plants are very'dry a. "good plan is to fill up the pots or tubs with water, and after it has all soaked away to renew the operation again. Another plan is to dip the pot in a tub of water, and in this way the whole of the earth gets thoroughly saturated. Soft or rain water is always the best for plants, and, if only the artesian water is available, it should be kept in a tub for use, with another tub containing liquid manure close at hand, so as to give the plants a little occasionally. Generally speaking, if a plant is in the same soil' for any considerable time it naturally will require a liquid stimulant, which must be always, given in a clear state, and about the color of strong tea. Once a week would not be too often in' the growing season for such treatment. There is no need to feed it during the resting period. A very safe liquid for amateurs to use is some horse, cow, or sheep manure placed in a tub with water added. The liquid must be clear and not too strong for the little delicate fibrous roots to get the benefit. A handful of fine fertiliser is also a good stimulant, when placed in a can of water and given occasionally. Dust should never be allowed to accumulate on plants. They should be periodically syringed, and if necessary washed with a soft brush or a bit of sponge, using a quantity of soft soap. Palms will greatly benefit by being sponged occasionally, and then given a good syringing of clear water to wash off the soap and any accumulation of dust which may be secreted at the axils of the leaves and stems.

.PROPAGATION OF PALMS. -, -/ , ; Palms are usually propagated by seeds sown, if : possible, in a hot bed, and, when large enough, potted into small sized pots. There- are a great variety of this class of plants, and some are propagated by pieces of the stems, placed in pots in heat. But all of the palms we see in shops and museums, and sold for house decoration, are mostly grown from seed. ■> They delight in a good rich loamy soil. To make a good mixture for repotting, I would recommend two parts of good rotten turf, one part of well rotted leaf mould, one part of peat mould, and one part of good sharp sand, with a sprinkling of a fertiliser added, and all well blended together. Palms do not like pots too large, but there should be plenty of drainage, and the soil well rammed in the pots at the time of repotting. Palms like a cool, shady greenhouse, and should be kept out of the glaring sun. They will not stand being frozen in the winter time. This, of course, applies to all greenhouse plants. As to the tips of the leaves turning brown, this is a disfigurement that a good many house, palms are liable to. There are many causes for this. As the tips of the leaves are the extreme point to which the sap flows, and as this is the weakest part of the leaf, naturally any foreign matter, such as impure air from the gas, would affect the delicate pores, rob the plant in that part of its sap, and interrupt its proper respirations, hence the decay of those parts. Another cause may be that when syringing the plants in winter, flic water would remain on the delicate points of the leaves during the night, and, perhaps, get chilled by the cold air, and thus the proper circulation of the sap would be interfered with. It may also arise from a want of proper nourishment owing to neglect of watering and to the exhaustion of the soil. Those are some of the causes which are responsible for the disfigurement of the tips of indoor- palms. To improve the appearance of the plant, I should recommend that those decayed parts be cut away with a sharp scissors, as they are of no use to it. I might here mention that the outdoor hardy palms suffer in the same manner. I have given all the information which Mr. Burrows has asked for, but I have given it in such a way that others may gain a little knowledge of how to treat successfully decorative plants which are kept in the house. There are many who grieve over the shabby appearance of their once beautiful palm, wondering why it is looking so unhealthy, and I have on many occasions been asked the cause. The answer they will find in the foregoing notes. A little conservatory is very necessary for keeping a stock of plants for the house, so that the plants can have the necessary change.