322 THE FLORIST. 



regularly all over the plant, and as soon as active root action has 

 been induced shift into the blooming pots. Apply the trellis at 

 once, and keep the shoots regularly tied in as they advance in 

 growth, bending the points of any gross ones downwards, which 

 will equalise the gruwth and keep them sufficiently thin to admit 

 1 ght and air. 



Plants, the pots of which are plunged in any warm moist 

 material, require much less water than if the pots are exposed to 

 a warm dry atmosphere ; and as Dipladenias are very apt to 

 suffer from excess of moisture at the root, water must be applied 

 with care, especially in the case of recently potted specimens. 

 To give a liberal watering every time the surface soil may appear 

 dry would probably destroy the specimen so treated, and therefore 

 means must be used to ascertain that the ball is really dry before 

 applying water, and when this is the case give a liberal soaking. 

 When the trellis or frame is well covered wdth strong healthy 

 wood, which, if all goes on wxll, should be the case early in 

 summer, unless the plants exhibit a tendency to produce flowers, 

 remove them from bottom heat to a rather dry atmosphere for 

 about a fortnight, and give but very little water at the root, which 

 wnll check growth, and produce a tendency to bloom. Return 

 them to a warm moist place, where they will soon be covered with 

 blossom buds. We have already stated that the plant may be 

 removed to a cool conservatory or greenhouse when had in bloom 

 in summer ; but in removing it from a moist, warm, close situation 

 to a cool, dry, airy one, some management will be necessary, to 

 prevent the leaves getting discoloured, or the plrint sustaining a 

 check. After blooming, place the plants in a house where the 

 temperature may range rather high, to ripen up the wood, before 

 placing them in their winter quarters ; or in the case of plants 

 that flower early, they may be allowed a short season of rest, then 

 repotted, pruned back, &c., and be placed in bottom-heat and 

 induced to make growth before winter ; plants so treated must 

 not be placed in a low temperature during the winter, as that 

 would discolour the foliage, and probably injure the roots and 

 wood, but should be wintered in a light bouse, where the tem- 

 perature may range from 55° to 60°, and be very carefully 

 watered. Specimens managed in this way will be ready to burst 

 into bloom at any time in spring ; they may be placed in a warm 

 moist temperature. 



The Dipladenia is not a favourite with insects, and with a 

 properly moist atmosphere it will hardly suff'er from any pest 

 except black thrips, which may probably attack it, and if so, 

 should be eradicated by frequent closes of tobacco-smoke. The 

 best soil for this lovely plant is good rich turfy peat and light 

 sandy turfy loam, in the proportion of about two-thirds of the 



