242 THE FLORIST. 



sufficiently large ; when three plants are used, 12-inch pots 

 will be necessary, and 13-inch pots in the case of five plants. 

 Keep close and moist, and carefully avoid over-watering till 

 the roots can penetrate the fresh soil. A high temperature 

 during summer is rather injurious than beneficial in the cul- 

 ture of this plant ; 50° or 60° at night, allowing it to range 

 10° or 15° higher with sun-heat, will be most conducive to 

 strong vigorous growth and the production of handsome spe- 

 cimens. The plants should be placed near the glass, so that 

 they may receive as much light as can be afforded them ; but 

 it will be found necessary to shade them slightly during bright 

 sunshine, and the atmosphere should be maintained in a 

 thoroughly moist state. Still, this must not be effected by 

 excluding air and close shading, otherwise the plant swill as- 

 sume a sickly, drawn appearance, and the foliage will be thin 

 and ill-coloured. The shoots may be neatly staked, as soon 

 as they are high enough to be liable to be broken. The stakes 

 used may be cut off at the height of about fifteen inches, 

 which will be sufficient for the support of the plants ; the 

 flower-spikes will require no support, and if the plants are 

 kept near the glass, and frequently turned round, they too 

 will probably need no staking to cause them to assume the 

 desired form. Some plants have a tendency, under high culti- 

 vation, to produce flower-spikes at the axils of the leaves, and 

 they generally form more showy specimens in this way than 

 if stopping is resorted to ; but when only one plant is used as 

 the foundation of the specimen, it may be advisable to stop 

 once, when about four inches high. An occasional watering 

 with clear manure-water will tend to promote vigorous growth; 

 but this will be unnecessary till the plants have pretty well 

 filled their pots with roots. 



When the blossoms begin to be developed, the plants may 

 be removed to the conservatory or greenhouse ; but they must 

 be gradually prepared for the change. Great care should be 

 used to prevent their sustaining any check, and they should 

 be guarded from currents of cold air after their removal. A 

 temperature of from 45° to 50° at night will be necessary 

 during the blooming season, if the plants are expected to 

 increase in size and beauty for some two months. 



When they show symptoms of decline, water should be 

 gradually withheld; and when the foliage and stems die down, 

 the pots should be placed in a situation where they will be 

 free from damp and frost ; unless the tubers are well ripened, 

 they should not be placed in a lower temperature than 45°. 

 A rich friable soil is essential to the production of fine speci- 

 mens of Gesnerias. We find light sandy turfy loam, rich fibry 



