ROOM PLANTS 109 



they may be cleaned and placed in dry sand or bags, and kept in 

 a cool, dry place ready for another season. 



Room Plants 

 Room Plants Failing 



Q. Will you please tell me what is wrong with my Aspidistra 

 why the leaves that have grown up tall all split, and why all the new 

 leaves that come up now have taken to be so short ? They unfold 

 so quickly and do not grow at all. E. I?., Kensington. 



A. The leaves have most likely been knocked by people passing 

 by, especially when they were young and tender. As the young 

 leaves lack vigour the plant evidently needs dividing and repotting. 

 If unable to do this take it to the florist. Turfy soil 2 parts, sand 

 and leaf soil 1 part, make up a good soil mixture. February or 

 early March is a good time to repot. This plant, when well rooted, 

 needs a lot of water in summer and comparatively little in winter. 

 Norfolk Island Pine f Araucaria excelsa) in Room 



Q. I have a fine plant of this in my dining room. It is full 

 grown, six tiers high, the lower branches still on and quite healthy, 

 but the roots show on the top of the pot, also at the bottom, and I 

 am told they object to repotting. I do not want to lose it by so 

 doing ; can you please advise me as to how it should be dealt with ] 

 M. M. C. W., Essex. 



A. If the pot is well filled with roots it will be advisable to repot 

 the plant in spring. Use a mixture of fibrous loam and peat in 

 equal proportions, and sand to make the whole porous. Press down 

 the new soil carefully and firmly, and see that the soil never gets too 

 dry or is kept in a saturated condition, and then the tree will 

 improve in every way. 

 Repotting Room Plants 



Q. Can you give me a few hints on repotting room plants 1 

 '8. T. E., Ealing. 



A. Room plants should be examined in February, and if roots in 

 large numbers have reached the side of the pot, repotting is neces- 

 sary. I refer to such subjects as Aspidistras, palms, and various 

 ferns which are used for indoor decoration. Unless the plant is to 

 be returned to a pot of the same size as was previously occupied it 

 will not be advisable to disturb the roots a great deal. For some 

 time after potting watering must be carefully performed, giving it; 

 only when the soil is fairly dry, or sourness of the soil will result, 



