TDE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 33 



BEOMELIACIOUS PLANTS. 



{With Coloured Illustration of Vriesia hr achy sf achy s.) 

 BY GEOEGE GOEDON. 



"^ ■ "^^ EE Bromeliada comprise a large number of plants, widely 

 diftering in character, but possessing a certain family 

 likeness, and agreeing so far as to require the tempera- 

 ture of a stove for their cultivation. One of the most 

 distinctive and best known of the bromeliads is the 

 Pine-apple, Ananassa sativa, which, like a large number of other 

 plants belonging to the same natural order, is not sufficiently attrac- 

 tive to justify its being grown in the stove for ornament. A few of 

 the known species are remarkably beautiful, and worthy of a place 

 in the choicest and most select collection of stove plants. One of 

 the best examples of this class is the lovely Vrienia bracliystachjs, 

 which forms the subject of the coloured illustration in the present 

 number. Another good example of the same class is the showy 

 Encholirion co7'alUnum, of which a woodcut accompanies these re- 

 marks, A few species are well worthy of a place in the stove when 

 space can be found for them, because of their botanical interest : 

 but it does not appear desirable to say much in reference to them, 

 upon the present occasion. 



The plants comprised under the heading to this communication 

 are amongst the most valuable of those adapted for amateurs who 

 have not much space for the cultivation of stove plants, and who 

 have not had much experience in plant-growing. They are all of 

 moderate growth, remarkably attractive, whether in a small or large 

 state, and require but a small amount of attention and skill to keep 

 them in a good condition. Unlike a large number of things which 

 require a regular course of stopping and training during the summer 

 season to keep them within bounds, or have to be renewed annually 

 from seeds or cuttings, the bromeliads will go on increasing in beauty 

 and value, with no more attention than is required to keep them 

 supplied with moisture. Such has been my experience with them, 

 and I have no hesitation in commending them to the notice of those 

 amateurs who have a stove, and are desirous of lilling it with some- 

 thing better than coleus, and other soft things. They do exceedingly 

 well with the free-growing orchids, and may be associated with them 

 with advantage. 



All the species of which it is my intention to speak should be 

 grown in well-drained pots, and a compost consisting of loam, peat, 

 leaf-mould and grit. The peat and loam should be fibroua, for, as 

 some of the species are epiphytal, and grow in the forks of trees in 

 their native habitats, it is essential that the compost should not be of 

 a very close texture. To every two parts of loam and peat add one 

 part of leaf-mould and a part of grit, which should be made up of 

 equal proportions of small crocks and silver-sand. Well incorporate 

 the whole together, and avoid breaking the peat and loam up too 

 much, for the plants thrive best when the compost is rather rough 



February, 3 



