“POTTING” EXPLAINED 
P. B. PRIOR 
| ANY people entertain the idea that so long as the plant 
is put into a pot with plenty of room it ought to grow. 
This is a great mistake, for, without a doubt, there are 
more failures and disappointments caused by overpot- 
ting than by anything else, more particularly with fresh-rooted 
cuttings. Few would-be-gardeners seem to know how to per- 
form the operation of potting successfully so perhaps the sug- 
gested precautionary measures will not come amiss. 
Selection of Pots. In the first place, the pot must be per- 
fectly clean ; never use a pot a second time without having washed 
it thoroughly inside and out, giving most attention to the 
inside. The method 1 recommend 
is to have a receptacle for empty 
pots, where they can be left for a 
time to sweeten. After they have 
had a rest carefully wash and dry 
them, and stack away ready for use. 
If this is properly and promptly 
done, you will always have pots 
ready to hand when required. Pots 
newly from the store should be 
thoroughly soaked, or left out in 
the rain. This will obliterate fire 
and sulphur fumes which they often 
contain, and which are detrimental 
to plant life; but in all cases be 
sure that the pots are dry before 
using. 
Drainage. The next and all- 
important matter is the drainage; 
this must be perfect, and the ama- 
teur cannot be too particular in 
his preparation. The mere plac- 
ing of a piece of crock in the 
pot to “ keep the soil from going 
through,” as some express it, is 
of no use and indeed often does 
more harm than good. 
See that your pot is sound, thoroughly sweet and clean, as 
before explained. Also have a supply of broken crocks equally 
sweet and clean. Do not assume that anything will do, for a 
tainted piece of old crock will contaminate the whole of the soil, 
and affect the well-being of the plant. Do not throw a few 
shards (pieces of broken pots) into the pot without care as to 
how they lie; they may go in right, but nine cases out of ten 
they will go in wrong side up and work injury rather than 
otherwise. These pieces of crock are placed for a definite 
purpose, i. e. to run off all surplus water so that none will stay 
in the pot to sour the soil. Obviously, therefore, too much care 
cannot be taken to see that they are placed with the round side 
up, so that there is a clear run for all waste water. On top of 
them place a little rough loam mixed with fibre and well-rotted 
grass roots and a few bits of charcoal. The latter will help to 
keep the soil sweet, and the fibre will supply the young roots 
with food and materially help along the growth of the 
plant. 
Soil. The soil that is ideal for a plant will vary at different 
stages of the plant’s growth. For young plants and rooted 
cuttings fresh from seed beds and cutting pans, very good re- 
sults have been obtained from one part of good yellow loam, as 
DON'T DROWN YOU R PLANT! 
When potting remember that the roots need 
air and invert the shards so that the water will 
run off; a little fibre or moss before the soil is 
put in will complete this simple but effective 
drainage system 
full of fibre as possible; one part coarse, sharp sand (get it as 
coarse as possible and wash thoroughly before using); one part 
well decayed cow manure, and one part leaf mold; add to this a 
little powdered charcoal and mix all well together, you will then 
have a compost that will suit almost any plant in the first stage 
of growth. The washing of sand is done thus: place the sand 
in a tub with plenty of water, stir up well and, when settled, 
pour off, and add fresh water till all impurities are removed. 
I his is a matter that will abundantly repay for the trouble. 
Avoid artificial manures in the early stages of growth; they are 
not required till plants are near their blooming period, and 
even then had best be used with care. Remember only strong 
plants can take strong foods. 
Judgment is required as to 
the depth of soil needed by the 
baby plant. This can be regulated 
by the quantity of soil put in the 
pot before placing the plant. Hav- 
ing decided what amount is needed 
put the plant in position, taking 
care that the young roots are not 
cramped up, or in a bunch, but 
spread out broadly; now fill in with 
earth and gently press down all 
around, leaving sufficient space on 
top for watering — many potters 
forget this! The whole process is 
now complete. As a test that the 
work has been properly done, turn 
the pot up and gently tap the rim 
on the bench, and if the contents 
come out firm and solid you may 
rest assured that your potting 
all right; if not, then do it 
again. 
is 
over 
of the Pot. At this 
a gardener makes 
The Size 
point many a gardener makes a 
mistake. You cannot have the 
pot too small for fresh-struck cut- 
tings. A three-inch pot is large enough for almost any 
young plant or seedling, and will give it all the nourishment it 
requires. Let the plant remain in this sized pot till it is well 
filled with roots (which can be ascertained by tapping it out, 
and examining the growth). This is one of the advantages of 
doing the work well. It is just as bad to overpot a young 
plant as to overfeed a child; if the plant cannot use all the soil 
that which is left goes sour. Another result is that the roots will 
invariably spread toward the side of the pot, and instead of 
making a good, firm ball of roots, they sprawl through the soil, 
becoming sickly and weak; and the first time they get dry, are 
done for on account of their lack of substance. When the pots 
become full of roots, shift into larger sizes, one size at a time, 
until you reach the size of pot in which you intend the plants to 
bloom. 
With regard to the watering of freshly potted plants opinions 
vary, but I find the best method is to let them stand for an hour 
or two before watering, then give what is needful. Avoid 
watering late in the day, as there is then not time for the plants 
to drain before night, and they feel the cold so much more wet 
than when dry. Do not make the compost too moist. Use 
only sufficient water to make it damp enough to cling together 
when pressed into the pots. 
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