POTTING 



61 



90. "Shifting" is the trade term for transferring potted 

 plants to larger-sized pots. At a glance the trained man 

 can tell when shifting is needed; the novice may "knock 

 out" the plants to examine the roots. This is done as 

 shown in Fig. 50, the top of the pot being rapped 

 smartly on the edge of the bench. If the roots form a 

 network around the earth, especially if they are dark 

 colored, they must be shifted to avoid becoming "pot- 

 bound." 



91. In knocking out plants for shifting, only one rap is 



FIG. 51 POT STORAGE OUT OF DOORS 



This being placed adjacent to the cold frames and hotbeds saves much time 

 and labor. 



usually needed; more waste time. Plants should never 

 be shifted while the soil in the pots is either very wet 

 or very dry ; only when dry enough to crumble beneath 

 thumb and fingers. Pot-bound plants need special at- 

 tention (92). Pots should be free from caked dirt 

 and fairly clean. After removal from the small pots, 

 each plant is "shouldered"; i. e., part of the surface soil is 

 rubbed off so fresh soil may take its place in the larger 

 pot in which it is to be placed. 



