Archive for March, 2006
We continue our study of plant propagation by looking at the method using cuttings:
CHAPTER XI.
PROPAGATION OF PLANTS FROM CUTTINGS.
In the propagation of plants from cuttings or otherwise, the amateur, with limited facilities, of course cannot compete with the trained and experienced propagator, who makes the rearing of plants his business, devoting his whole attention to that special branch. Many men have devoted the greater part of a lifetime to experiment and study, as to the best and most practicable methods for the successful propagation of plants. There are, however, common and ordinary methods for propagating plants from cuttings, that the most inexperienced can practice with a measure of success.
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What? Yes, that’s what they used to believe in the old days. Can you belive it? Of course, today we know that house plants purify the air, calm the spirit and provide a great outlet to gardeners and other plant hobbyists.
Let’s see what started to turn the tide on this superstition back in the 1800s:
CHAPTER IX.
THE RELATION OF PLANTS TO HEALTH.
Plants at present are more generally cultivated in-doors than formerly, and they may be seen in almost every home. The cultivation of plants in dwellings is decidedly a modern custom—at least to the extent to which it is now practised. One who now contemplates building a dwelling house, plans to have included with the other conveniences of a first-class home, a suitable window for house plants. As the cultivation of plants in dwelling houses increases, the question is raised by some: “Are not plants injurious to health, if growing in the apartments in which we live and sleep?”
An interesting read on cultivating flowers with the intent to breed for color traits:
CHAPTER VIII.
THE LAW OF COLOR IN FLOWERS.
The public are so often duped by a set of travelling frauds, who make it their business to represent themselves as being the sole proprietor or agent of some “wonderful” kinds of plants, bulbs, or seeds, which possess the virtue of being remarkably distinct from anything ever seen or heard of before, that many over-credulous ladies or gentlemen fall victims to the unprincipled sharks.
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I tried keeping geraniums indoors this winter but it just didn’t work. I didn’t have enough plant lights going and the geraniums just got too leggy. There’s nothing sadder than snapping off the yellowing geranium leaves until you just have a little tiny one at the top of the stem.
Of course, it’s much easier to winter over cold-sensitive tubers in the garage or cellar. Here’s the chapter from Your Plants on the subject:
CHAPTER VII.
WINTERING PLANTS IN CELLARS.
Many plants, such as Agaves (Century Plants), Oleanders, large Cactuses, etc., that have grown too large to be accommodated in the sitting-room or conservatory; can be successfully wintered in any moderately dry, frost-proof cellar.