HOT WATER FOR PLANTS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 271, 9 June 1888, Page 3

HOT WATER FOR PLANTS.

If ib a fortunate eiicnmstancc that a plant will endure a scalding heat that is fatal to most of its minute enemies Water heated to the boiling point, poured copiously over the stem of an enfeebled poach tree, and allowed to stand about its collar, will often h avo the happiest restorative effects . Trees showing every symptom of the yellows have been rendered luxuriantly green and thrifty again, by this simple means. The heat is presumably too much for the fungus which had infested the vital layers of the tree, immediately under the outer bark. The London florists recommend hot water, up to 145deg, F., as a remedy, when plants are Hickly owing to the soil souring —the acid, ab.-orbed by the roots, acting as a poison. The usual resorb is to the trouble some job of repotting. When thisjis no

necessary for any other reason it is much simpler bo pour hot water freely through the stirred soil ; it will presently come through tinged with browu. After this thorough washing, if Iho plants aro kept warm, new root pomes and new growth will soon follow. A lady friend had a lino calla lily in a threo gallon pot which showed signs of ill health. On examination the outer portion of the filling was found mouldy, it being in a largo part fresh horse manure. As repotting was inconvenient, the plant boingin ilower, hob wator was freely used ; it killed the mould, and the plant began to revive and was soon all right. — V!ck\* Maga-Jne.