WINDOW GARDENING 



side only, the leaves turn toward the window, 

 with the result that the plant becomes one-sided 

 and unsymmetrical. This reaching toward the 

 light is brought about in two ways: first by an 

 elongation of the petioles or leaf-stalks, followed 

 by a bending or twisting towards the source of 

 light; and second, by the elongation of the stem 

 and its bending toward the window. This 

 reaching toward the light can only take place 

 in the young leaves and stems which have not 

 as yet become fixed. The mature leaves on the 

 side away from the window, being unable to ac- 

 commodate themselves to the new conditions, 

 soon turn yellow and die and the side of the 

 plant toward the room assumes a bare and un- 

 attractive appearance. 



To overcome this the plants must receive light 

 from all sides. Where light can only be secured 

 from one side, as in the window, this may be ac- 

 complished by turning the plant every few days 

 and exposing a different part to the light. This 

 checks the tendency to grow toward any one side 

 and results in a well-developed, symmetrical 

 plant. 



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