MANAGEMENT OF GREENHOUSES 123 



fungus which is so destructive to soft-wooded cuttings 

 and seedlings. 



96. Potting. Every up-to-date establishment where 

 potted plants are grown will always have an adequate 

 supply of pots. It is not economy to limit this supply. 

 In the earlier days of commercial growing of potted plants, 

 it was not considered essential that pots be clean. An 

 accumulation of dried soil and dead root tissue inside of 

 pots is injurious to the healthy root growth of other plants 

 placed in them. Also, an accumulation of algae and 

 other foreign matter on the outside of the pots prevents 

 aeration of the soil, and consequently inferior root develop- 

 ment results. It is now considered economy to clean all 

 pots at least once a year. This may be done easily, by 

 soaking them for a few hours in a half barrel of water. If 

 live steam can be turned into the tub until the temperature 

 of the water is raised several degrees, the dirt and algae 

 may be removed with ease. If clean pots are soaked 

 for a short time in a solution of ammoniacal carbonate 

 of copper, all spores will be destroyed, and a new growth 

 of algae will not appear for a considerable time. When 

 new pots are used they should be soaked in water before 

 using. This prevents the dry pot from drawing moisture 

 from the soil of the freshly potted plant, increasing its 

 tendency to wilt. 



In potting freshly rooted cuttings from the propagating 

 bench, or in re-potting older plants, everything should be 

 conveniently arranged to facilitate rapid work. Many 

 men who are potting plants lose valuable time because 

 of a lack of system. First, the soil should be carefully 

 prepared, and for most plants it should be sifted. The 

 space between the root system and the pot is small, and 

 the soil should be fine enough to fill all spaces. It should 



