CULTUEE OF GESNEEA ZEBRINA. 



BY J. SAUNDEES. 



[HE general management of this fine gesnera does not 

 materially differ from that of others, except that I 

 would recommend a rather stronger soil. A compost 

 of turfy loam of a free texture, well rotted leaf-mould, 

 and light fibry peat, in equal quantities, with sufficient 

 sand to keep the whole open, that the roots and water may freely 

 precolate through it, is most proper. In potting these plants, it is 

 too frequently the practice to retain a considerable portion of the 

 old earth in which the plant has been kept through the winter, 

 merely rubbing off the outside of the ball ; this is decidedly wrong, 

 because the earth, after having supported the plant for six months, 

 and after that been thoroughly dried, in order to preserve the roots 

 while resting, cannot reasonably be supposed to retain any nourish- 

 ment. Yet it is into this the first-formed roots of the season will 

 have to make way, and on it depend for their first supply of 

 food, before they can reach the outer stratum of new earth ; mean- 

 while they are starving. I would therefore advise that the whole 

 of the old earth in which the plant has been kept through 

 the winter be removed when it is repotted for starting; and 

 it is always preferable to put them into the pots they are intended 

 to bloom in at the first shifting, as the roots are frequently injured 

 by removal from one pot to another. This should be done about 

 the middle of March, and the pots plunged in a bark-bed or 

 forcing-frame with a gentle bottom-heat ; the bulbs soon begin to 

 grow, when plenty of water should be given, and by the end of 

 April when the sun usually attains great power, it will be advisable 

 to shade them slightly, which should be continued through the 

 summer. 



If they are grown in a stove, a back shelf, rather shaded, will 

 be the best situation for them during the hot weather, though I 

 greatly prefer either a plant or a frame, as the pit then assumes a 

 more healthy habit ; and thus naturally induces an abundant bloom, 

 though on this head little danger can be incurred from either 

 method, as the plant is by nature so exceedingly prolific of flowers ; 

 still, by the management in frames, the quantity and closeness of 

 the foliage is increased, and therefore I think it most desirable. 

 With the simple attention to watering, the plant will begin to flower 

 in September, and continue to do so for the following three months ; 

 after which it should be allowed to become dry, lessening the 

 supply of water gradually and regularly. While the plant is bloom- 

 ing, the lightest aiid warmest part of the house should be allotted 

 it, and at this season of the year it is worth}^ of the best situation 

 that can be found. I may observe that though this plant, and, 

 indeed, nearly the whole of the genus, are natives of margins of 

 woods, yet they require, when under artificial treatment, a free and 

 full supply of air, or they become attenuated. 



