Gardening Indoors and Under Glass A Practical Guide to the Planting, Care and Propagation of House Plants, and to the Construction and Management of Hotbed, Coldframe and Small Greenhouse   By: Frederick F. Rockwell (1884-1976)

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE PLANTING, CARE AND PROPAGATION OF HOUSE PLANTS, AND TO THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OF HOTBED, COLDFRAME AND SMALL GREENHOUSE

BY F. F. ROCKWELL Author of Home Vegetable Gardening

NEW YORK McBRIDE, NAST & COMPANY 1912

Copyright, 1911, 1912, by McBride, Nast & Co.

Published September, 1912

[Illustration: Too few people realize the possibilities for enjoyment in prolonging the garden through the winter months indoors]

FOREWORD

There is nothing which adds so much sunshine and cheer to the rooms of a house besieged by winter and all his dreary encampment of snow and ice, as the greenery, color and fragrance of blossoming plants. There is no pastime quite so full of pleasure and constant interest as this sort of horticulture; the rooting of small slips, the repotting and watering and watching, as new growth develops, and buds unfold. Some have the magic gift, that everything they touch will break into blossom; others strive perhaps too hard only to gain indifferent results. It is hoped that this book will aid those of the second class to locate past mistakes and progress to future success; and further that it may indicate to those more fortunate ones of the first class the way to more extensive achievements in the work they love.

This is not a technical book; simply an attempt to tell in so plain a way that they cannot be misunderstood the everyday details of the successful management of plants in the house and within such small glass structures as may be made, even with limited means and time, a part of the average home.

There is another aspect of the case worth considering; so much so in fact, that it is one of the reasons for writing this book. By the use of such modest glass structures as almost everyone can afford not only is the scope of winter gardening enlarged and the work rendered more easy and certain, but the opportunity is given to make this light labor pay for itself. Fresh vegetables out of season are always acceptable and well grown plants find a ready sale among one's flower loving friends.

CRANMERE, August 1st, 1912. F. F. R.

CONTENTS

PART I PLANTS IN THE HOUSE

CHAPTER PAGE

I INTRODUCTION 1

II THE PROPER CONDITIONS: LIGHT, TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE 6

III SOILS, MANURES AND FERTILIZERS 14

IV STARTING PLANTS FROM SEED 22

V STARTING PLANTS FROM CUTTINGS 29

VI TRANSPLANTING, POTTING AND REPOTTING 35

VII MANAGEMENT OF HOUSE PLANTS 44

VIII FLOWERING PLANTS 51

IX SHRUBS 70

X FOLIAGE PLANTS 81

XI VINES 90

XII FERNS 97

XIII PALMS 103

XIV CACTI 110

XV BULBS 116

XVI VERANDA BOXES, WINDOW BOXES, VASES AND HANGING BASKETS 128

XVII HOUSE PLANT INSECTS AND DISEASES 132

XVIII ACCESSORIES 140

PART II HOME GLASS

XIX ITS OPPORTUNITIES 146

XX THE COLDFRAME AND THE HOTBED 149