POT-PLANTS IN ROOMS II 



Their roots, being in contact with their pots, are much more 

 exposed to the influence of the sun's rays than those that are 

 surrounded by soil, and thus the ripening process is more 

 Hkely to be thorough. 



Of course discretion must be used in withholding food 

 with the object of inducing early flowering. A starved 

 plant may flower sooner than one which is abundantly fed, 

 but the flowers will certainly be smaller, and they will 

 probably be fewer. Hence a compromise becomes necessary. 

 The food should be sufficient in quantity to prevent stunting 

 and to maintain a healthy condition. If a plant shows any 

 failure which can be attributed to starvation, there should 

 be no hesitation about feeding it. Apart from that, the 

 time to apply a fertiliser is after the flower-buds appear, 

 not before ; but, as previously stated, it should be weak. 

 If it is excessively strong it may cause the buds to drop, 

 a not uncommon thing with fuchsias and begonias, the 

 reason being that the strong stimulant induces vigorous 

 growth into which the sap passes instead of into the flower- 

 buds, and consequently the weak joints connecting the latter 

 with the stalks give way. Properly used, a fertiliser will 

 provide the material for increase in the size of the flowers, 

 and render it possible for many to be produced in succession 

 where this is the natural habit ; it will also enable the plant 

 to grow moderately, and to add to the internal store which 

 every perennial species, especially bulbous species, possesses. 



Briefly, the advice as regarding feeding may be put as 

 follows : — 



A weak fertiliser may do good ; a strong fertiliser may 

 do much harm, and sometimes may be fatal. 



Give it two or three times a week so long as it seems to 

 be beneficial. Always watch the effect. 



Give it only to plants whose roots have filled their pots, 

 never to those that have been freshly repotted, and never 

 to young seedlings. 



Take care that the soil has been previously moistened 

 thoroughly. 



Feed foliage plants during their growing period and up 



