and two teaspoons of limestone for every two quartsof soil mixture. Artificial mixtures may also beused. The soil mixture should be slightly moistbefore planting. For cacti and succulants, use amixture containing more sand.

Drainage Requirements

The container should have a layer of smaUpebbles or coarse sand on the bottom to providea reservoir for excess water. Charcoal, eitherplaced in a layer over the drainage or mixed withthe soil, helps absorb objectionable odors thatmay arise from the planter. This may be especially desirable if the soil is high in organicmaterial.

Plant Materials

The type of plant will depend on the kind ofterrarium you intend to make. For example, allwoodland plants should be placed together. Thesewould include moss, pipsissewa, fern and winter-green. These can be collected from the woodlandor shady places and/or purchased from nurseriesspecializing in woodland plants. Some plants maybe on the Conservation List, requiring specialpermission from the owner for collection.

For small tropical gardens, plants in 1 to 2 l/4Inch pots or rooted cuttings may be used. Theseare available from Florists and garden suppliers.Dwarf plants are also available from specialistswho grow them for terrariums. The key tosuccess for the terrarium builder is to keepsimilar plant groups together when building theterrarium (e.g. cacti, with Agave spp.).

14

BROMELIADS, PART TWOCulture: Water, Humidity, Ventilation,

Temperature, Fertilization

Mary Eldergill, Floriculture Student

In nature, bromeliads receive some form of wateralmost every day. Some are residents of branchcrotches and the floors of rain forests. Desert as

well as rock-loving xerophytes receive nightly bathsof dew or are coastal with a continuous shower of

mist. Still others survive on fog-borne dampnessor are inhabitants of riverbanks.

This humidity factor should be simulated in anygreenhouse but is often overlooked by the home grower,Although plants may survive for years and even throwoffshoots, most species demand (and all appreciate) apebble tray or humidifier in the home. Trays may beof fiberglass, plastic or metal or may be constructedof scrap lumber and fitted with a heavy plastic sheet.They may be made to fit a windowsill and should befilled three-fourths (Milstein 1971) with perlite,builders sand or gravel. With warmer species theowner may want to outfit his tray with a heatingcable. Humidifiers are relatively inexpensive andfor the serious "bromel-addict" may also serve tocirculate air in addition to throwing off two or moregallons of water in an 8-9 hour night (Milstein 1971).

Some Tillandsia growers have found a third purpose for their humidifiers—as air-fertilizer applicators. Drs. Oeser and Milstein (Milstein, undated)believe in the ability of these plants to extractnutrients as both metallic and organic compounds

from the air. High scale density permits the SpanishMoss relatives most efficient use of available atmospheric water and nutrients.

Greenhouse watering is a simple matter. Thoseplants with tubes should not be allowed to become

empty. If kept filled, they will suffer less in homedryness than unwelled sorts. Heavily-scaled speciessuffice with frequent light syringings appropriate tothe season.

Terrestrial xerophytes may be treated like cacti,waterings being thorough with a good drying out in-between. Overwintering of these desert species in a55° house is practiced here at the university and hasresulted in annual flowering. "Wet feet" should notprevail at any time and root deterioration and leafdiscoloration should be immediately investigated.

Epiphytic species without vases may be wateredover their leaves, with the potting media remainingdamp but not soggy. Overwatering is more frequentman underwatering, and most species easily toleratea complete drying-out at the roots in between. Avoidwater processed by water softeners of the ion-exchangetype wherein sodium replaces natural calcium (Wilsonand Wilson 1963). Likewise avoid water impregnatedwith salts, hi summer use water the temperatureunder which the plants are growing, switching overto warmer-than-air water in cold weather.

Perhaps the most frequently forgotten factor inbromel culture is ventilation. Only dryness and stagnant air prevent the bromeliad from becoming an idealhouseplant. Provision of humidity and flowing air isnot as simple a matter as it is with most indoor plants

8

I

TERRARIUMS

Joseph J. Maisano, Jr.Extension Agent-Horticulture

A terrarium is a collection of plants grown in atransparent container; a mini-garden under glass.It captures the living wonders of the forest woodland, tropical garden, or desert, and expressesthe creator's imagination.

A terrarium resembles a miniature outdoorgarden. It differs in that it provides a controlledenvironment and is considered an enclosedecological system.

Terrariums are easy and fun to make, yetrequire little care. A few teaspoons of water maybe added occasionally to replace that which hasevaporated. Some plants may need to be prunedor removed to avoid crowding.

The design and variety of plants, colors, orscenes is bounded only by the container size andthe imagination of the maker.

The container should be clear enough to seethrough. Cloudy or tinted glass reduces thelight and plants may become tall and spindly.

Soil Needs

To keep plants small and reduce overcrowding inthe container, use a soil mixture that is not toofertile. It should be well-drained and porous. Asuitable soil mixture can be made with equal partsof loam, sphagnum peat moss, and sand. To thisadd and mix one level teaspoon of 5-10-5 fertilizer

13

SAFETY IS ALWAYS IN SEASON

Joseph J. Maisano, Jr.

Extension Agent—Horticulture

An accident can happen anytime. Therefore, it isup to you, the greenhouse operator, to minimize thechance of it happening in your establishment. Somerules of safety are:

Prevention: Sharpen your eyes to discover thehazards that exist in your operation. Get in thehabit of doing things the safe way, then see thatyour employees follow your example.

Preparedness: Be prepared for an emergency.Keep a first-aid kit (well equipped) handy and knowhow to use it. Enrolling in a first-aid course forowner and/or employees would be useful. Keepfirefighting equipment handy and in operating order.Your local fire department can advise you of thelocal code and equipment necessary for electrical,trash, and other fires. It is also wise to notify themthat you use and store chemicals that when heatedpromote toxic fumes. The location of these

chemicals should be on record at the fire station,and the storage location should be marked prominently in your establishment.

As greenhouse operator, take time to look overyour operation for safety. OSHA standards arehere to help you make and keep your place a saferplace to work.

12

The shopowner who publicizes easy-care culture woulddo well to include a "care card" on the subject of thesetwo cultural subjects.

For the greenhouse grower attempting to supplyhis bromeliads with optimal growth conditions, thecirculating effect of evaporating water in the greenhouse should be supplemented with a slow-movingfan (see Conn. Greenhouse Newsletter No. 56).This is especially so in the winter when some speciesare putting on their greatest growth, and when theother alternative of opening a window away from theplants might be objectionable.

A temperature not exceeding 75° and not fallingbelow 55-60 at night will suit bromeliads. Thosespecies with moisture-conserving scales wiU takehigher temperatures. Raised humidity may compensate for higher temperatures. One expert hasstated that constant night temperatures of 45-50°have not injured any plants (Milstein undated).Winter coolness should be coupled with a significantreduction in water and,at all times, chilly draftsshould be avoided.

"Tube" fertilization should be at half or less

strength every four weeks provided that all othergrowth conditions are excellent (Wilson and Wilson1963). Root fertilization may be done every othertime. A liquid 1:1:1 is suggested (Sheehan andConover 1973), and higher levels may cause droopyleaves (Cathay and Taylor 1972). Powders have thetendency of not dissolving completely and the solutionupon evaporation may result in a precipitate, burningthe leaves or roots (Wilson and Wilson 1963). Fish-oil emulsion is recommended, as is 1 tsp. cow orsheep manure per 5" pot, every few feedings.

PH recommendations are not available at this

time although mix should, as a rule, be kept onthe acid side (Padilla 1973). A few species dwellin limestone crevices and once again some studyof the plant's homeland may prove worthwhile.

Bibliography:

Cathay, Henry and Taylor, R. L. Flowering ofBromeliads. The Exchange, Vol. CXLII, No.10, March 6, 1965.

Milstein, George. Short Course on BromeliadGrowing Under Lights. Publication unreferenced,Longwood Gardens Library; 1971.

Milstein, George. Growing Tillandsias in the Houseas Houseplants. Publication unreferenced andundated. (Longwood Library April 1974.)

Padilla, Victoria. Bromeliads. Copyright 1973by Crown Publishers, New York.

Sheehan, T. J. and Conover C.A. Bromeliads.Florida Cooperative Extension Service circularNo. 300-A, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville. No date.

Wilson, Robert and Wilson, Catherine. Bromeliads

in Cultivation, Vol. 1. Copyright 1963 by HurricaneHouse publishers, Coconut Grove, Florida.

10

i ! <

PEACE CORPS

Since 1961 the Peace Corps has been hard at workin developing nations overseas. Today many of thesenations request that we send more and more experienced farmers, the men who have been responsiblefor America's world-wide reknown as the leadingproducer of agricultural commodities.

One of the more important fields of agriculturalresearch and extension is horticulture. In this area

the Peace Corps has provided many volunteers towork in a variety of programs. These volunteers,experienced farmers and recent ag school graduates,help develop new and improved plant varieties.They investigate and find better methods of growing,harvesting, and storing horticultural crops. Somevolunteers instruct in nursery establishment, bud^ding, grafting, pruning, layering, division and cutting.

Horticulture programs cover a diverse area. Inthe fall of 1973 we received a request from Ghana

for an ornamental plant breeder. The job is tobreed indigenous plants on a commercial scale,which will eventually supply all Ghanaian ornamentals as well as exporting to neighboring countries.

Volunteers serve for two years overseas with allexpenses paid—rent, food, clothing, transportation,medical and a supplement for 45 days of leave. Inaddition each volunteer receives $75 per month readjustment aUowance which is received after completingthe term of service.

Additional information is available through PeaceCorps ' agricultural representatives. Write:ACTION, 317 Federal Building, Rochester, N.Y.14614

11