38 ON REPOTTING GitEENHOUSE PLANTS. 



ARTICLE XI. 



ON THE REPOTTING OF GREENHOUSE PLANTS, &c, 



BY A PRACTICAL GARDENER IN STAFFORDSHIRE. 



On account of the variety and number of greenhouse plants, it is 

 rather difficult to reduce them to any one certain rule ; not only 

 because they are less expensive, and consequently more cultivated, 

 but also that our milder climates, are found to produce plants in 

 greater abundance than the Torrid Zones. 



Therefore the business of shifting is, in general, a weighty concern. 

 To be enabled to execute this business with regularity, every prepara- 

 tion should be previously made, and the different sorts of mould laid 

 up in a shed ; as well to keep them from becoming too wet for use by 

 sudden showers, as from getting too dry by the action of the sun, or 

 arid winds which may be expected at this season. Also on wet days 

 (if nothing more urgent is to be done) let a quantity of old broken 

 pots be made small, to serve for draining to the tenderer sorts ; the 

 coarse siftings of peat being sufficient for the stronger growing kinds. 



Things being thus in readiness about the middle, or end of May, 

 the general shifting should be commenced : in order to which, let 

 some of the plants be carried to the shed, and carefully proceeded 

 with in the manner already directed for hot-house plants ; observing, 

 above all things, not to injure the roots, but gently to loosen them 

 with the hand in such manner, that the mat of roots, which is 

 generally formed on the outside, may not remain entire ; whereby 

 they will soon strike into the fresh mould that encompasses them. 



Green house plants for the most part require a considerable share 

 of pot room, as many of them are very free growers ; but still great 

 caution is necessary, to avoid over potting the tender weak growing 

 kinds. When shifted, let them be tied up if requisite, and well 

 watered. It will be also necessary to shade them for a few days 

 from the influence of the sun and winds, until they are perfectly 

 established in the fresh mould. Any dead or ill-grown parts can now 

 be with propriety cut away, so as to give the heads a regular neat 

 appearance : by observing this process, it will be found, that though 

 a temporary check may be the consequence, they will soon flourish 

 and do much credit to the operator by their healthy appearance and 

 progress. 



It being mentioned that shelter, and occasional shade is necessary 

 for a few days when they are first placed in the greenhouse, I must 

 add, that should the weather prove dark, and cloudy, this work may 

 be omitted : however, if hot sunny weather ensue, it will be in- 

 dispensably necessary ; and also, to water them twice, or thrice a day 

 when first potted, observing to wet the leaves as little as possible. 



By the middle of June, it will be time to think of preparing the 

 out-door departments, in which it is intended the plants should stand 

 during the summer months. 



