85 



WATERING PLANTS IN POTS. 



"How often should I water my plants'?" This question is very fre- 

 quently asked, and it is a rather perplexing one to answer definitely 5 

 a general answer would be: Never apply water to a plant until it re- 

 quires it, that is until it is dry, and then apply a sufficient quantity to 

 saturate the soil, which will be indicated by the surplus passing through 

 the drainage. 



Novices in plant culture usually make the mistake of merely sprink- 

 ling the surface of the soil, perhaps daily, without any time applying 

 enough water to saturate the mass. Plants can not flourish under 

 such conditions ; the surface will appear wet, while the main body of 

 the soil is hard and dry. One drawback to properly watering plants 

 in parlor and window gardening (to which these remarks are more par- 

 ticularly directed) arises from the inconvenience attending the use of 

 water in sufficient quantities; another evil is the dryness of the air. 

 Both of these obstacles to success can be greatly modified by the use of 

 a table properly fitted for the reception of the flower pots or small 

 vases in which the plants are kept. This table may be of any required 

 size ; a surface of 2 by 3 feet would be suitable for most windows; it 

 should be made tight and neatly fitted. A ledge is made by fastening 

 a strip 3 inches wide around the edge ; then fill with 2 inches of clean, 

 white sand, upon which the plants are placed; lining the table with 

 zinc would completely guard against drip. The table should be fitted 

 with rollers to facilitate the operation of watering and cleaning the 

 plants. With a table of this kind the plants can be watered freely, 

 and occasionally sprinkled, without any injury to surrounding objects. 

 The sand should be kept constantly wet, so that moisture will be evap- 

 orated from it, and thus overcome, in some degree, one of the chief 

 obstacles to the successful culture of plants in dwelling rooms a dry 

 atmosphere. 



There are a few general rules with regard to watering plants which 

 may be noted. Watering should be preferably applied during the 

 early part of the day, especially so in the winter season. Plants in pots 

 well supplied with roots will require much more water than those which 

 are newly potted or have a quantity of soil with few roots. Plants with 

 narrow or small foliage will not use so much water as those with large 

 spreading leaves. Plants in the shade will not need as much water as 

 will those in the sun ; a damp atmosphere will also reduce the necessity 

 of water at the roots. Plants that are growing freely will require a reg- 

 ular supply, as they are sensible of a check at this period ; on the other 

 hand, plants which are comparatively resting will need but little, and 

 the supply gradually diminished as growth is being completed. 



But in cases when water is applied it should be done copiously, and 

 when gradually withheld the watering should be less frequent, not less 

 in quantity, when it is necessary to make the application. 



