| Show r freshman college student settling into his or her dormi-- I I tory room has opened a door to LJ a new life of independence But life can you what kind of BRIGHTEN YOUR DORM WITH A TOUCH OF GREEN Jhe have in the small drab assigned room that you most likely are shanng with a i total stranger? Dorms are inevitably dreary A first apartment or house you share with roommates can look just as hopeless You won’t have — or want to spend — huge sums of money to decorite but this is the place you're going to call home There's always the Indian bedspread shop and the art Mints in the college bookstore But if you spend a few dollars at the local greenhouse you can give your room some warmth and individuality Whether sun streams into your room or not there are all kinds of plants that will thrive there The spider plant grows quickly but it is so overused that it seems to have been issued with the furniture Try something new Sunny rooms are great for geraniums There are many varieties with distinctively patterned leaves and cheery red pink or white blooms Other plants are cactus and its sister succulents which hardly ever need watering because of their thick water-retainileaves The shiny-leave- d jade will grow from a small sprig to a plant d tree by the time you gra&iate Hanging plants could include the variegated Swedish ivy with its subtle shading of purple silver and green For rooms without direct sunlight the same ivy that no doubt covers at least one building on campus can adorn your room too as long as it isn't too warm Hoy as are vining plants that can be hung in the window or trained around a wire frame The miniature grape-iv- y makes a lacy basket plant Ana mere's always philodendron with its many d variations of leaves Choose your plants as carefully as you do your wardrobe: Easy care should be a high priority you wont want to fuss with misting or every-da- y watering To groom your plants clean off dusty foliage and make sure pots are clean If there are signs of insects or disease take quick action before the problem gets out of control Pinch back (tents to keep their shape attractive and turn them a bit each day to ensure even growth Remember to water only if soil is dry and then keep watering until the soil is completely soaked Some plants such as the succulents will need water only once a week or every 10 days Others may need daily watering Choose containers that complement the plants Clay is the best material because it allows the soil and roots to breathe Plastic pots do make the best hanging baskets however because they are so much lighter than clay Find the kind with a water saucer attached to the bottom you won't want to have to mop up every time you water If you need a detailed reference book on plant care The Pocket Guide to Housepkmts (Golden Press $495) and All About Housepkmts (Ortho Books SS95) are both good —Ann Winslow i 20 Fawlv Weekly NovEwn u iim day-toda- Above all die lowest sun-iovi- fair-size- heart-shape- UHL'S mg 100t FILTER MENTHOL 3 m w pn oginni by FTC Mhod SOFT PACK Warning: Tha Surgeon General Has Determined That Cigarette Smoking Is Dangerous to Your Health CampeMwe BMei eec eihef NOW THE LOWEST OF ! A1 h V 03 84 mg rC Report BRANDS I a FTC method |
