THE GARDEN WEEK BY WEEK 



April Winter Plants in Spring. — Plants which have been 



10-30 used for winter decoration in a greenhouse or con- 

 servatory, such as Zonal Geraniums, Bouvardias, and 

 berry-bearing Solanums (Winter Cherries) will have 

 passed their best by the end of April, and may be 

 pruned back to the older wood, and placed in a warm 

 house if wanted for further use. If syringed regularly, 

 they will throw out fresh shoots, and some of those may 

 be taken off and struck as cuttings. 



Propagating Crotons and Dracaenas. — The present is 

 a good period to make a slit in the upper part of the 

 stems of Crotons and Dracaenas which have grown too 

 tall, and bind the part round with moss. If the plants 

 are kept in a warm, moist house roots will be emitted, 

 and the tops can then be cut off and potted. 



Propagating India-rubber Plants. — The India-rubber 

 Plant, Ficus Elastica, can be propagated in the same 

 way as Crotons. The variegated form is an attractive 

 plant. 



Room Plants. — Plants which have spent the winter 

 in rooms are likely to be somewhat worn and dingy 

 when spring comes, and will be the better for exposure 

 to warm showers, or for being sprayed regularly. This 

 will be especially grateful to Palms, Aspidistras, and 

 India-rubber Plants. Periodical cleansing of the foliage 

 has almost as important a bearing on the health of 

 these popular foliage plants as watering. From the 

 present time, and throughout the summer, the plants 

 will want a great deal more water than they have 

 required during the winter. Whether they will need 

 it every day or not will depend on two things — the state 

 of the weather, and the size of the pot. In bright, dry 

 weather, a supply of water is likely to be called for every 

 day ; it is almost certain to be needed if the plants are 

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