134 THE FLORIST. 



IXORA COCCINEA OR GRANDIFLORA. 



Although this lovely plant has been an inhabitant of our stoves ever 

 since the year 1814 (at which date it was introduced from the East 

 Indies), it has only within these last few years become a general fa- 

 vourite with lovers of gardening ; and considering the noble and su- 

 perb specimens of it that have been presented to public view at our 

 great metropolitan exhibitions for some years past, I think it is fairly 

 entitled to a place of high standing in every plant collection, how- 

 ever limited. In fact, if any person had only sufficient room to cul- 

 tivate six stove-plants, this should be one of the first to be chosen. 

 This plant, when well done, being, in my estimation, the very finest 

 in cultivation; and its being an especial favourite of mine, will, I trust, 

 form some excuse for a remark or two I am about to make. Al- 

 though, as I have stated above, there have been some magnificent 

 specimens of this plant exhibited of late by some growers, yet there 

 are but few (and I say it, I hope, without offence) who bring it to that 

 state of perfection it so justly deserves to be brought to ; neither has 

 there been of late any plants exhibited by any grower so fine and so 

 fully expanded as we have seen them some seven or eight years 

 back. 



In the following observations I shall endeavour to shew what I 

 consider is the cause of plants not blooming so finely and so fully as 

 we used to see them ; and perhaps, if my instructions are attended to, 

 we shall see those majestic specimens again produced at our great 

 floral displays, calling to our mind those grand plants that used an- 

 nually to decorate tables containing the finest gatherings in the world. 

 Should these hints catch the eye of any one who remembers the se- 

 cond exhibition of the Royal Botanic Society at Regent's Park, they 

 will not forget two plants that were then exhibited by myself — one 

 in my large collection, the other as a single specimen. The latter 

 had upon it fifty-nine heads of bloom fully expanded, some of them 

 measuring eleven inches over ; the other plant had fifty-seven heads 

 of bloom upon it, and all in the finest condition, making one hundred 

 and sixteen heads upon the two plants. If those two plants entitle 

 me to make a few remarks upon their cultivation, I will here give the 

 treatment they received from cuttings, for both of them were struck 

 and grown by myself. 



This being a plant of very easy propagation, I will commence at 

 that point : in selecting cuttings no very great care is required, as 

 either the young or old wood will strike root freely. If you happen 

 to have a plant that has become sickly or ill-shaped, cut it down, and 

 the old wood may be cut two joints in length, leaving the top leaves 

 upon it ; the young wood may be cut three joints long. In placing 

 the cuttings in pots, select all the old wood to be put by itself, and 

 the young shoots should also be kept separate, as the young wood 

 will strike root sooner than the old, and will require potting off much 

 earlier, so that it will be found absolutely necessary to keep them 

 separate. Prepare some nice sandy peat for your cuttings, and well- 



