83 
CAN LARGE SPECIMENS OF HARD-WOODED PLANTS BE GROWN IN SMALL POTS? 
M itli tlie size of plants, yet some of these plants are still alive, and form not the least conspicuous 
objects in the noble collections annually produced by W. Quilter, Esq., of Norwood. 
It is rather remarkable that these plants were not only grown in small pots, but they were also 
grown in finely-sifted soil; for as Mr. May gave the smallest shift possible when he did shift, he was 
compelled to use fine soil; but apart from the necessity of the matter, I believe he had not, nor has not 
any objection to sifted soil for plant-growing. I am not supposing the plants are going to grow as 
well in small pots as in large ones—that is quite another matter; but my object is to show, both by 
precept and example, that very admirable plants may be grown in small pots, and that, I think, will 
be an object gained by the amateur cultivator, who has not conveniences for growing large specimens, 
but who, at the same time, would be delighted with really well-grown small ones. 
Of course, it cannot be denied that soft-wooded plants have an advantage over hard-wooded ones, 
in being annually cut down, shook out of the old soil, and disrooted, whereby they have a fresh start 
and fresh soil every season ; but they also present a much larger surface of foliage to the evaporating 
influence of the atmosphere, and hence require much greater attention in watering. Some of my large 
specimen Pelargoniums, on hot, dry days in summer, require watering three or four times between 
morning and night, to prevent their drooping ; and I think I may safely say, a large specimen in an 
eight-inch pot will suck up four to six quarts of water in twenty-four hours, and hence must evaporate 
at the same rate. Hard-wooded plants, though presenting a smaller evaporating surface, will require 
less attention and less watering, but at the same time, if the foliage is to be kept green and good, they 
must never know the actual want of water. The leading requisites in the growth of plants in small 
pots are properly prepared composts, good potting, and an occasional supply of manure-water; and 
these desiderata I will consider under separate heads. 
First, then, Soil. This, for hard-wooded plants, consists of peat, procured from upland situations; 
and, in selecting it, great judgment is necessary, for it is not sufficient to say procure it from Wimble¬ 
don Common, Epping, or Wrotham, for though peat of the finest possible quality may be found, it is 
not unusual to see great rubbish carted from each of these places ; therefore, select with care, for it is 
better to spend a few hours in selecting good soil, than in carting home that which is worthless. The 
best time to procure soil is in the autumn, and it should then be placed in ridges, and in such a manner 
that while the rain is penetrating the mass, the air has free access between each turf. Thus prepared, 
it will be fit for use in a few weeks; but if it can be prepared for twelve months before using, it will 
be so much the better—indeed, those who intend to grow plants properly, must always keep a good 
stock of properly aerated soil on hand. Peat soils differ in texture; some is hard, as that from Wimbledon 
and Wanstead, while that procured from Wrotham, in Kent, and Spring Park, near Croydon, is light 
and spongy, but very rich. In the light peat, plants grow very vigorously for a time, especially if it is 
used in a rough state, but it soon gets sour, and the plants die off almost without a moment’s notice. 
In the hard peat, on the contrary, plants grow moderately, but that is poor, and hence, if the plants 
suffer for the want of water once or twice, the leaves turn yellow, and assume a sickly appearance, 
from which it is difficult to recover them. I therefore recommend the hard and soft peat to be used in 
equal proportions, selecting it with the greatest care, and rejecting every portion which does not 
appear perfectly clean and healthy. 
Break the soil into small pieces not larger than a hazel nut, and pass the whole through a sieve 
with half-inch meshes, and take care to make every portion pass through. Then add sand and charcoal 
and potsherds broken small sufficient to secure the porosity of the mass, and have some of the material 
standing by so that an additional quantity may be added to such plants as require it. Quick growing, 
soft-wooded Heaths do not require so much sand as the aristatas, obbatas, and the like. Some of 
the more free growingNew Holland plants will be benefited by having a little nice mellow turfy loam 
added to the peat and sand. Pimeleas of all kinds, but more especially the fast-growing ones delight in 
loam, so do Polygalas and Bossiaeas, and even Boronias are not injured by a little of it. Leaf mould I 
rarely use, not even for soft-wooded plants, as it is full of insects, and unless formed of good clean 
leaves is rarely what it ought to be. 
