ON THE CULTURE OF THE ACHIMENES. 



BV ALPHA.* 



Nearly all the varieties of this lovel}' genus deserve to be ranked with the most beau- 

 tiful and useful ornamental plants which our glass houses possess. Q'heir floMers, of 

 many delicate and pleasing shades of color, are produced in great abundance for months 

 in succession, and the plants themselves are mostly of compact growth and easy culture. 

 "While in a growing state, all the varieties require the assistance of a rather warm and 

 moist atmosphere, but during their flowering season, they may be removed to a cooler and 

 drier situation, such as a close green-house or conservator}', where they may be said to be 

 indispensable during the summer and autumn months. 



As all the Achimenes increase rapidly by means of their scaly tubers, artificial propa- 

 gation is almost unnecessary, except in nurseries, where it is perfectly understood. I 

 shall, therefore, merely state that cuttings of the young wood, treated in the ordinary 

 way, and placed in a brisk bottom-heat, will root freely. Taking it for granted that there 

 is a supply of tubers at hand in early spring, the}' should be separated from the soil in 

 which they have been wintered, and planted in shallow pots or pans, (the latter are pre- 

 ferable,) well drained, and filled with light sandy soil to within two inches of the top. 

 The tubers should be laid I'ather thickly and regularly upon the surface, and covered with 

 mold to the depth of an inch, or as much Tnore as the pan will hold. 



Water should be sparingly applied, only just sufficient should be given to keep the soil 

 in a moist state. If active growth is desired without loss of time, plunge the pots or pans 

 in a gentle bottom heat. AVhen the plants are about three inches high, they should be 

 carefull}' lifted from the soil, and potted in seven inch pots, placing twelve or more plants 

 in a pot, according to the sized specimens that may be wanted. After potting, place them 

 in a close and rather warm atmosphere, till they have become A\irly established; a tempe- 

 rature of G0° at night, allowing it to raise 10 or IS'' with sun heat in the day time, will 

 be found the most congenial to the plants at this stage of the growth. As soon as they 

 are established in their pots, air should be freely admitted on all favorable occasions, and 

 the plants kept near the glass. If all goes on well, they will soon fill the pots with roots, 

 when a final shift will be necessary. The size of the pots for this shift should be regulat- 

 ed by the size which it is desirable the plants should attain; ten inch pots will be suffi- 

 ciently large where moderate sized sjjecimens only are requii'ed: but for very large mass- 

 es, twelve or thirteen inch pots may be used. Some first rate cultivators prefer deep pans 

 for Achimenes, but these are better suited for plants to be flowered in a moist, warm house, 

 than for those intended to be removed to the green-house or conservatory, during the flow- 

 ering season. About twelve plants ma)' be placed in a ten inch pot. It will be necessary 

 to maintain a moist atmosphere, and keep the house rather close till the plants can lay 

 hold of the soil; and water must be carefull}' supplied during this time, but the syringe 

 may be used freely, if the weather happens to be bright. As soon as the plants start into 

 free growth, after potting, air may be more freely admitted, and a slight shade during the 

 forenoon of sunny days, will be found beneficial. Varieties of the habit of pedunculata, 

 should be stopped as soon as they are established in their flowering pots; and if it is in- 

 tended to train them in a formal manner, all the kinds should be staked before the shoots 

 have become entangled. The stakes should be cut off the height to which the vai 

 * From llie Loiuloii Ganleners' Clirouicle. 



