MANURING PLANTS.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 24 March 1919, Page 4

MANURING PLANTS.

In the successful production-of nearly all plants .and flowers, manure forms no.-inconsiderable part. Mostv plant growers soon learn, particularly in' pot culture, that to. keep plants in a healthy growing condition and to extend the flowering season somo stimulating food must be applied in some form or other. But, although no hard-and-fast, rule-can be laid down as to. its use, its application is of so much -importance that it is advisable to draw attention, not only to the benefits to be derived from its use, but to the failures that may result from its abuse.

All growers should be warned against the regular use o manurial solutions of definite strength and of watering at regular intervals,'such as daily, weekly, or anv other stated limes, -When this is done, on« either gives water when not needed or else gives a much less supply than the plants require. A hot day or a cold, drying wind will have considerable influence upon all plant life, and during such a timo double or treblo the amount of moisture is needed in comparison to a. dull, >wet period. If water 'is. given at stated times the two extremes so often-fatal-to plant life are .reached. . : -

- If it is of sb much importance to apply fresh, clean water with care, it 'becomes .doubly so when-.dealing with liquid .manures. In applying those there are two -points which should never be lost sight of—i.e., not to give stimulants except when the plants are in full growth. Unless the roots of a plant are in such condition to enable it to assimilate this form of food quickly it has an injurious instead of beneficial effect. • From this one-can readily imagine the folly of applying liquid manure to poor, weakly plants, or to plants that are" naturally going to rest. Another great mistake if in applying solutions of too strong a nature." It is far better to apply-; the same ouaulity in two or tlircp doses. Nor should any. plants that have been recentlv potted ever be war./red with

liquid'manure. Until the food ,con.tained in the soil has become weakened, and the soil well permeated with roots, such, applications will only tend, to make the compost stale and distasteful, instead of aiding plant growth.

A pot-bound plant derives the greatest benefit from liquid manure. The e'xact strength depends so much upon the class of manure used, as well as upon the subject treated, that no definite guide can be given. For example, strong-growing, quick-growing plants will absorb and benefit from much stronger and more frequent doses than would bo safe or necessary to apply to slow-growing, liner-rooting kinds. . The best rule to follow—whether it be in pot culture or in tho open ground —is to apply liquid manure when tho plants can no longer obtain their necessary food from the soil. Seme plants are' more partial to one kind of manure than another', but if a little care is .exercised in applying it a little weak

at 'first, and as soon as the roots are in a strong, healthy condition, almost any liqui'd' manure will be beneuV.al. There must be the necessity for extra food, viz:, h'ealftiy growth with its attendant hungry roots, otherwise this form of manuring may be more injurious than helpful.