184 HOUSE PLANTS 



soil with benefit. The best time to repot 

 palms is in the spring or early summer — 

 April to June — before much growth takes 

 place, but they can be shifted at any time 

 up to the first or middle of October without 

 harm. After that date it is unsafe to dis- 

 turb the roots; disaster is almost sure to 

 follow any meddling with the root system 

 during the winter. 



Never overpot palms, for the soil will 

 become soured very easily. A shift of one 

 size at a time is enough. When repotting 

 be very careful not to injure the roots; but 

 if any are injured, cut off the injured portion 

 with a sharp knife, making a clean cut. If 

 the roots have bound up the drainage, get 

 out all that is possible without injury to the 

 roots, and fill the hole up with good soil 

 before putting the plant back into the pot. 

 The new soil must be firmly packed about 

 the old ball. To do this, use a thin potting 

 stick. It is possible, of course, to get the 

 soil too firm but in practice there is not much 

 danger of it. 



