i88t.] decorative GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 395 



NOTES ON DECORATIVE GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 



THE APHLEXIS. 



The Aphlexis may with truth be called one of " our neglected green- 

 house plants," and yet as an ornamental, and more especially as an 

 exhibition plant, it has few equals. The flowers are among what 

 are generally termed eveidasting, and are therefore the more valuable 

 seeing they are so persistent, and keep fresh-looking for such a long 

 time, whether on the plant or even after they are cut. The plants are 

 worthy of more extended and more general cultivation than usually 

 falls to their lot. They should be grown in pure peat, or at least the 

 greater proportion of the soil should consist of good fibry peat ; a little 

 turfy loam may be added, and a liberal allowance of sharp sand 

 mixed with it, to keep all open and porous ; a little crushed char- 

 coal may also be added with advantage, as it tends to prevent the 

 soil from becoming sour through repeated watering ; the treatment 

 given them should be something similar to what is generally given to 

 Heaths and Epacris, &c. The Aphlexis is increased by cuttings taken 

 off either in spring or early summer, the small half- ripened side 

 shoots being best. These should be put in a properly prepared pot or 

 pan, the cuttings inserted in silver sand and covered with a bell- 

 glass, and treated in the way which has been repeatedly described for 

 similar kinds of plants. When they are fairly rooted they should be 

 carefully potted off singly in small pots, and set for a time in a close pit, 

 until they make fresh roots, when air should be given them, in moderate 

 quantities at first, afterwards increasing the quantity. They should 

 be frequently pinched when small plants, so as to secure plenty of 

 breaks, otherwise they have a tendency to grow straggly. The after- 

 treatment will consist in shifting them into larger pots when they 

 require it, keeping them carefully attended to in the way of water, and 

 giving them what training they may require. 



PHCENOCOMA PROLIFERA. 



The above plant is closely allied to the Aphlexis, and in many re- 

 spects requires the same kind of treatment ; it also bears everlasting 

 flowers, which last a long time in perfection. It makes a very hand- 

 some and attractive plant whether in or out of flower, and is also one of 

 the very best of exhibition plants. Young plants when of the proper 

 size are capital for table work and for house decoration. It is astonish- 

 ing how seldom one meets with a specimen of this plant, and yet it 

 is one which is worthy of a place in the most select collection of 

 greenhouse plants. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope ; the soil 

 best suited to its needs is sandy peat, with a little leaf-mould added 

 to it. It is increased by cuttings, taken from among the side shoots 

 just as they are getting firm at the base. These should be put in in 

 the usual way under a bell-glass, in a pot or pan prepared as for cuttings 



