Stream Corner

Of the citrus fruits tangerines appear to give the most attractive plants, for the leaves are a dark, shining green rather than pale and dull.

All tend to get a little leggy unless they get good light and although it is sometimes possible to get a good, bushy plant by pinching out the growing tip, some plants seem to resent this and show the fact by dropping leaves or even by dying.

Beware, however, and examine your pineapple carefully before you attempt to grow the top. The process demands cutting off the little topknot or tuft of foliage at the top of the fruit together with no more than half an inch or so of the flesh.

So if I am asked, ' Can I grow this?' my answer based on cautious experience must always be, 'Try it and see.'

Apples, pears and plums can all be grown quite easily and none need any special treatment. If seeds are germinated and plants grown for some months indoors it is little use trying to plant the young seedlings in the garden after they have lost their early attraction. They do not take kindly to the transformation in their living conditions, and in any case plants grown from these seeds are not true to type, by which I mean that they will not necessarily produce plants of the same variety as the parent.

Make sure that this does not happen. Keep the soil always moist, but not soaking, to give the seeds every chance to germinate. If the soil you use is sterilized you will be able to tell if the plant seed, and not a weed seed has germinated. Keep the young plant warm and even in a dark place for the first day or two and then bring it into the light, again keeping it warm and free from any draughts. A light spray with clean, tepid water will help provide the humidity that is so lacking from our homes and give the roots a chance to grow and mature.