A WINTER PALETTE

Regarding “A Winter Palette,” by Robert Smaus (Jan. 14), Clarification please: This is an interesting, well-illustrated article. But the first sentence on Page 24 says, “then re-roots them in empty pots.”

Do these rosettes send out roots in pots with no soil, and are then potted in the described soil mix?

BOB SCHWEIGHARDT

Escondido

Believe it or not, that is exactly what the Walkers do--they put the rosettes in empty pots so the roots have a chance to sprout without the danger of rotting, which might be caused by moisture in a soil medium. After the roots are an inch or so long, they put the cuttings in more-conventional, soil-filled pots.