Growing plants of reasonable quality presents few problems to many saintpaulia owners, but they are often perplexed by the fact that otherwise healthy plants are reluctant to flower. Much of this is due to the fact that most fertilisers manufactured for indoor plants contain a very high level of nitrogen in their make up, and foliage plants do particularly well on such a diet.

And, with reasonable care, it does seem to be almost indestructible, and to almost thrive on neglect. The most dangerous enemy of the sansevieria is the over-zealous owner who feels that he or she must be foreVer watering, watering, watering. Having very thick, fleshy leaves the plant is able to go for long periods without attention.

It has been my contention for many years that the most important single requirement for the successful growing of saintpaulias indoors is adequate light. A sunny window-sill, with protection from strong, direct sunlight only, is the ideal position, and the kitchen window-sill for preference as there is usually less curtaining, so more light there.

One would hesitate to offer this as general advice, but it does help to illustrate just how tolerant of dry conditions this plant actually is, and that when watering the tendency should always he to err on the side of dry, rather than wet, compost.

After potting, the compost should have a good watering and thereafter be kept on the dry side for five or six weeks to encourage the roots to search actively for moisture, resulting in a better root system. With all pot plants a healthy root system is the basis of good culture. The grower of a few plants may feel it is harsh treatment, but it will help considerably towards building up stronger plants if the flowers are removed from young plants and from those which are newly potted. By doing this the plant will not have to expend energy on the production of flowers, and much healthier and more prolific leaf development will result.

A rule-of-thumb tip for watering is that the leaves should be just perceptibly allowed to droop, or become slightly limp to the touch, between each application of water. There are a number of other sanscvicrias that one is likely to come across, all of ‘which require similar treatment: However, S. t,Izahnii and S. t. Golden Hahnii make compact rosettes of overlapping leaves, the one green and the other with yellow-gold colouring. These are extremely slow growing and must be the ideal sort of plant for a bottle garden as there is little chance of them ever becoming overgrown.