This is the final report in a series of articles on better tools for better gardening.
Quite often, when we think of garden tools and equipment, our mind immediately goes to big lawnmowers, tractors, hoes, shovels, and other “outdoor” aids. We forget that some things make gardening on the window sill a lot easier.
Watering: Main Cause of Plant Failure
It has been said that watering— either too much or too little—is the main cause of plant failure indoors. It would, therefore, be in place to recommend a good watering can so that water could be applied accurately.
In addition to plant failure, there’s another thing about watering indoor plants that we males tend to overlook: the water overflowing onto window frames, rugs, and floors.
The best kind of watering that can prevent this and get beneath leaves is one with a small spout opening.
A two-quart size is easy to carry, even though you may have to fill it several times if you have a large collection of plants.
Clean Foliage With Indoor Plants
Clean foliage is important with indoor plants—even more so than with garden plants, as houseplants are viewed much closer. We also know that some plants are grown indoors for the foliage alone.
A wonderful job of foliage cleaning can be done with one of those bottles with a plunger spray cap that window-cleaning fluids come in.
For foliage plants, a little dressing up can be achieved with one of the pressure can leaf-shining materials. These are also useful when using foliage in an arrangement.
Regular Spraying
House plants are by no means immune to insects and diseases. It is a sound gardening practice to isolate all new plants for two or three weeks in a separate window before putting them in your collection.
Then, if they do have disease or insect pests, they can be sprayed before being placed with your other plants.
Your plants should be sprayed regularly with a general indoor insecticide to prevent infestation. This is especially true in weather when windows are kept open, and you are bringing in cut garden flowers. This is the way pests get on our indoor plants.
Plunger Sprayer For Indoor Plants
A small plunger sprayer is good for indoor plants, and, of course, there are combination sprays in pressurized cans.
The standard recommendation when using a pressure can is to keep it at least 18 inches from the foliage. This allows time for the propelling agent (usually freon gas, which is used in the cooling coils of refrigerators) to evaporate before it gets a chance to hit the leaves.
If there is a possibility that the spray will hit curtains, furniture, and other household furnishings, the plants should be moved to the kitchen sink, bath, basement, or even outdoors in mild weather for spraying.
Generally, though, these materials will not stain. But test first to avoid possible trouble.
Regular Feeding For Indoor Plants
Regular feeding is also important for indoor plants. Most hobbyists and professional growers use a soluble fertilizer. This is mixed with water and takes the place of a single watering.
Small packages are obtainable from most brands of soluble plant food, so there is no need to buy a large quantity at one time.
Indoor Plant Pots
Some of the other items that you will find handy for growing indoor plants are a selection of various sizes of pots.
Plastic pots are taking the eye of many people— their pastel colors and easy cleaning make them quite desirable.
Plants Labels and House Plant Books
Don’t forget a supply of labels. Most plants arrive with a label, but if it is wooden, there is a chance that it will rot away or become illegible in time. Plastic labels are generally considered best.
Packaged soil and peat moss should be on hand for potting chores when they arise. Like all gardening, having a notebook for your remarks about each variety or plant and how well it does for you is a good idea.
This information is often forgotten. And make sure that you keep up with the latest on new house plants through Flower Grower and the new house plant books.
Tools of the Month
Ortho Rose-Garden Fungicide
The formula of this new product is 75% Phaltan, a new fungicide developed and marketed by California Spray-Chemical Corporation.
It controls both black spots and mildew on roses. Until now, at least two chemicals were needed to control these chief rose diseases.
Phaltan resembles captan in certain properties but is more effective in its ability to control rare diseases.
Ortho Rose-Garden Fungicide is on the market in the East, where rose black spots and mildew are major problems, and it has been tested for the West and should be available there soon.
Stanley Grass Cutter
Stanley Tools, New Britain, has introduced a new grass and weed cutter with an adjustable swivel head. Conn.
The swivel head section is adjustable with a wing nut for the user’s height or various angles for cutting grass on slopes or terraces.
This is also a safety feature for women in open-toe shoes, as they can adjust the distance they prefer to use the tool.
The list price is $2.75 and is available in stores selling garden supplies. This is one of a line of shears, rakes, and clippers made by Stanley Tools.
44659 by William L. Meachem