EXERCISE 78 

 POTTING PLANTS 



Object. To study and practice methods of potting 

 plants. 



Explanation. Small seedlings or cuttings are often potted 

 in the greenhouse previous to setting in the soil out of doors. 

 Flowering plants and ferns are often left in the pot for an 

 indefinite length of time. The process of potting a plant is 

 quite simple, and can be properly accomplished with a little 

 thought and practice. The plant should be well placed in 

 the center of the pot neither too deep nor too high. The 

 size of the pot should correspond to the size of the plant. 

 When the plant becomes too large for the pot, it should be re- 

 potted. The bottom of the pot should be open to allow 

 drainage, and the soil should contain sufficient fine gravel 

 and sand to insure perfect drainage. 



Equipment. 1. Ten three-inch flower pots. 



2. Ten geranium plants four weeks old, from cuttings. 



3. A loam soil. 



4. Small amounts of gravel and sand. 



Directions. Prepare the soil for potting by mixing to- 

 gether three parts of loam, one part of thoroughly rotted 

 manure, and one part of sand. Fill the pot with gravel to a 

 depth of one half inch. Sprinkle over the gravel a sufficient 



317 



