GARDENING NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 1 June 1916, Page 41

GARDENING NOTES

(By Mb.. J. Joyce, Landscape Gardener, Christchurch.)

s THE CARE OF HOUSE PLANTS. I have been frequently asked how often should pot plants be watered. Well, this is a very difficult question to answer. There is no specified time to water a plant. Sometimes it may want water once a day; other times once a week. It all defends on the climatic conditions. In the summer, during dry and parching , winds, the needs of a plant may be daily in the cool autumn it will be much less, and in the winter, the time of rest, very little is required. Observation is the best guide to follow. Some plants require more water than others; some may starved for water, and yet not suffer by the neglect,' whilst others, if treated so, would very soon die. Soft-wooded plants, which contain a great quantity of moisture, can live very much longer without water than the hardwooded species, such as the different kinds of the heath family, the azalia, rhododendron, and camellia t which cannot be neglected. Hard-wooded plants should never be allowed to get dry; if neglected they very soon show signs of their treatment, and, if left for any little time, they soon succumb. All the geranium family do not require a large quantity of water. They can be occasionally starved, and flower much better for such treatment. Cacti, which are of a very succulent nature, and contain a large quantity of moisture, can withstand drought for a considerable time. They need very little water, as they are natives of very hot countries. In their native habitat they go for months without any rain. When grown under' artificial conditions, they must be left a long time without water, and when watered must get a perfect drenching. In the watering of plants it is far safer to err on the dry side than to have the soil constantly saturated. Plants must be allowed to get dry for a little while before they are watered, and then they receive a benefit, just as a person, who is hungry, will enjoy a meal better than the person who is constantly eating. A very good plan to know when a plant wants water is to knock the pot on the side with the knuckles, and

if .it needs 7 attention it will have a ringing - sound; if it does not it will have a heavy, dull sound.*: .Nevqjwater plants unless you are sure they require it; and, when you do so, be sure to give sufficient to saturate every particle of soil in the pot. If the soil is very dry the water should be left to soak away, and then repeat thb operation. In fact the best plants to place the pot in a tub of water, and let the soil get thoroughly saturated before the pot is lifted out. Plants which are grown in the same soil for a considerable time will need a stimulant in the fqrm of liquid manure. This should be given once or twice a week in a weak form. When a plant is not progressing as it should do, an occasional dose will serve it. The best way to make liquid manure is to place some horse, cow, or sheep droppings in a tub or barrel, kept specially for the purpose in some out-of-the-way corner, then pour in the water, stirring it up well, and leaving it to settle before using. The liquid must be free from any objectionable matter. It should be clear, and about the color of strong tea. This liquid is very valuable for out-door plants of all kinds, especially in the dry season. Soot from a chimney, where wood is burned, is a very good fertiliser for pot plants. Hot water is the best to pour on the soot, and when cool it can be applied. A few drops of ammonia to a quart of water is also excellent. Plants, should not be watered in this manner when the winter is approaching, as they would be too soft and succulent, and therefore would not stand the severe weather. They should be encouraged to rest, and given as little water as possible. Another question I have to answer dozens of times is: What is the matter with this plant ; it is not doing well Invariably the cause is that the plant is kept indoors too long, without a change of air. Sometimes plants are placed away in a corner out of the sun, and do not get a sufficiency of light. Plants require sunlight and air to do well, and if they are denied these they will not thrive. They should not be kept in one position too long ; they ought to be changed about, and sometimes they would be the better for being placed outside during a shower, so as to get a good washing. A syringing occasionally would be very, beneficial.