t).N THE CULTURE OF THE GESNERIA SELLOWII AND BUI-BOKA 



Icnstlu'iied terminal rnccracs, in length somewhat in proportion to the health of 

 the shoot, so that tlie number of flowers, often three inches long on each stem, is 

 much greater in this than the old one. The leaves are also larger and more heart- 

 shaped; both are very downy, and when well grown, form not the least interesting 

 features in the plants. 



Like many of our beautiful hothouse flora, they are natives of the southern part 

 of this hemisphere (IJrazil), and although introduced so many years, it is by no 

 means so common as its merits deserve. It is allied to G. faucialis. 



CULTIVATIOX. 



The principal feature in the growing of this kind of bulb in perfection is, the 

 giving them a distinct season of rest and growth, the former by entirely with- 

 holding water for a time. We have now plants not over three or four years old, 

 with as many as eighteen shoots finely breaking forth ; perhaps some of these may 

 not come to perfection, but it will be more from want of pot-room than inability 

 of the plant to carry them. They are more generally seen with from two to throe 

 stems only. By introducing them to the hothouse at different times, a succession 

 of plants is the result ; our earliest bulb has eight shoots, which are fast advancing 

 to flower. 



About the first of September, we introduce the first, cutting off the old shoots 

 whctlier decayed or not; this is higjily important, or the shoots will start only one 

 or two at a time, the strongest taking the lead, and starving the remainder to 

 death. Give little if any water, till they begin to break, and as soon as they have 

 nicely started, shake away the old soil pretty clean, not injuring the roots, and 

 repot into the same sized pot. When the roots get well to the outside of the earth, 

 we give them the final shift, depending entirely upon the number of shoots the 

 plant is expected to perfect, as to the additional sized pot the same will require. 

 But it may l^e safely taken as a rule, that a plant with tliree shoots only, will have 

 room enough in one size larger; with six shoots, two will not Ijc too many, while 

 for twelve or eighteen, at least four sizes will not be too much. This kind of pot- 

 ting requires a cautious preparation of the soil as to its mechanical texture, or 

 there will be danger of the soil becoming sodden before the roots can fill it. But 

 with this care it is unquestionably the best mode, as the roots have then perfect 

 freedom without being disturbed by the process of repotting. "When out of 

 flower, and the beauty of the foliage is no object, they may be stood anywhere out 

 of the way, but should not be moved out of the stove till May, after which a 

 sunny place in the greenhouse or pits will do, watering them seldom. By 

 midsummer, lay them on their sides under the stage, selecting the earliest first — 

 the rest, a little while after; give no water till wanted to start again for winter. 

 They can be easily raised by cuttings, leaves, or seed. The soil should be light 

 and friable — two-thirds may be rotten leaves, or the soil from pine barrens ; one- 

 third turfy loam, and at least a sixth of the bulk white sand and fine pieces of 

 charcoal. 



