THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 215 



GREENHOUSE RHODODENDRONS. 



BY TVILLIAM JOHNSOIf. 



LL the rliododendrons at present in cultivation may be 

 turned to good account lu the decoration of the con- 

 servatory early in the season, for by lifting those well 

 furnished with flower buds, potting and assisting them 

 with a brisk temperattire, they may be had in full bloom 

 •whenever required. But it is not of these I now wish to speak, for 

 I would like to direct attention to a few of the best kinds, which 

 are too tender to be grown successfully iu the open air, but are 

 exceedingly beautiful and well adapted for greenhouse culture in 

 pots. There are something like fifty species and varieties well 

 suited for the conservatory, but as many of them are of large growth, 

 and a considerable pro])ortion of the smaller growing kinds have 

 white or blush-white flowers, twelve or so will be quite sufficient for 

 a house of moderate size. Those which will be mentioned as the 

 most desirable are especially deserving of the attention of anaateurs, 

 for they can be grown most successfully witlioufc any very great tax 

 upon the time and attention of the cultivator. Moderate-sized 

 plants will, with proper attention in supplying them with water and 

 repotting them when necessary, continue to produce a good display 

 of flowers for many years, without becoming too large for the house. 

 A shift every second or third year will suffice for maintaining them 

 in the most robust h-^alth. Erom the foregoing remarks it will be 

 gathered that a reneval of the stock and frequent repottings, which, 

 so perplex the amateur in the cultivation of a very considerable 

 number of plants are altogether unnecessary. It is well that it is 

 so, for the stock can only be increased with a tolerable amount of 

 success by experienced propagators. 



Those which can be the most highly recommended are Ctliafum, 

 a neat dwarf grower, producing fine trusses of waxy white flowers. 

 GiUatum inirpurcum — this difii'ers from the preceding in the 

 flowers being stained with rosy-purple. Jasminiflorum is one 

 of the very best of the section ; it is very dwarf and neat, 

 and even when six or eight inches in height it blooms most 

 profusely. The flowers are pure white, tubular-shaped, not unlike 

 those of the Stephanotis, and are produced in moderate-sized 

 trusses. This usually blooms during the winter season, when its 

 deliciously fragrant flowers are especially valuable. The following 

 varieties of this useful species also possess great merit, namely-— 

 Frincess Alexandra, flowers white, W'ith pink stamens, similar in 

 shape to the parent, but longer and larger; very fres flowering. 

 JPriucess Helena, delicately-tinted pink, bright red stamens ; flowers 

 similar in shape and size to the preceding. Princess Boijctl, rich 

 rose-coloured tubular flowers. These are all similar in character to 

 Jasminiflorum, and, like that species, succeed admirably in con- 

 servatories in towns. Princess Alice, has pure w^hite bell-shaped 

 flowers, possessing the most delightful fragrance. It is a variety of 

 July. 



