For May, 1920 



177 



The Herbaceous Calceolaria 



HENRY J. MOORE 



THE Calceolaria derives its name from the Greek 

 Calccoliis which means a Httle sHpper, the flow- 

 ers somewhat resembling the latter article of 

 footwear. The common name of the plant is "Slip- 

 jierwort." The herbaceous Calceolaria is one of the 

 most glorious of the greenhouse decorative subjects. 

 It is, however, sadly neglected on this continent, as 

 probably not more than two ounces of seed are sold 

 in the United States and Canada, and that chiefly im- 

 ported. 



Tiiere is no country in the world where the sub- 

 ject can be grown to greater perfection than ours. 

 Xo subject which gives better returns for the work 

 put into its culture. What then is the reason it is 

 not more generally grown ? It flowers from early 

 March until the end of ]\lay in the greenhouse, and 

 when removed to the living rooms will last from two 

 to five weeks. It causes admiration wherever ex- 

 hibited, and yet for some reason is shunned by Florists 

 and Gardeners. What is the trouble? 



The WTiter is an enthusiastic Calceolaria grower, 

 and would like to see the subject generally grown 

 and exhibited, to replace the many inferior and com- 

 mon flowering ones which with the Calceolaria do not 

 favorably compare. When packed closely in boxes 

 or crates, the subject may be shipped long distances, 

 although in some quarters this is not the opinion. For 

 the past nine years extensive experiments have been 

 carried out in the Greenhouses of the Queen X'ictoria 

 Park, which have demonstrated all that is claimed in 

 the preceding text. 



So7i.'ing the Seeds: .Sow the seeds during June for 

 an early batch for flowering in large pots, or during 

 September for a late one in smaller pots. Prepare the 

 seed pans carefully. Afford good drainage in the form 

 of crocks. Upon these place a layer of siftings such 

 as fibres or particles of leaf soil, then a layer of soil 

 sifted through a % inch screen, and cover the surface 

 with a layer of very fine soil sffted through a one- 

 sixteenth inch screen. Tamp the soil lightly, and sow 

 the seeds evenl\- and thinly, but do not cover them. 

 Immerse- the pans in water to within an inch of the 

 rim. It will rise bv capillary action until the soil is 

 well soaked. iJo not water Calceolaria seeds with the 

 watering can or other overhead method. 



Place the seed pans in the coolest greenhouse, and 

 shade from bright sunlight. After germination, care- 

 fully prick oft' the seedlings one-half inch apart in 

 flats or large pans. When crowding occurs, transfer 

 the plants to one and a half inch pots. Later when 

 good growth has l)een made, repot into four inch i)ots, 

 anrl finallv during Xovcmber repot into seven or eight 

 inch ones. In tiu' case of the September sown batch 

 the final potting will Udt be done until laiuiar\- or ear!\- 

 February. 



Soil and Potting;: .\ light, porous soil is essential 

 for the Calceolaria in all sla.ges of its growth, prefer- 

 ably one containing humus in the form of leaf soil or 

 dried well rotted stable manure. Prepare the soil in 

 the following proportions — Fibrous loam, one-third, 

 sand, leaf soil, and stable manure, mixed two-thirds. 

 Pass the whole through a one-half inch screen for the 

 final potting, and mix it thoroughlv. A soil in which 

 heavy loam predominates is not conducive to the for- 

 niatif)n nf tin- root svstem of the Calceolaria. 



When re-jiotting do not press the soil too firmly 

 around the ball of earth, but simply until a fair amount 

 of resistance is felt by the hand. Pot only slightly 

 deeper than the previous potting, so that moisture will 

 not constantly be in contact with the leaves, a very 

 detrimental condition. Clean well drained pots are 

 essential, otherwise when repotting it will be difticult 

 to remove the plants without injury to the roots, 

 which will adhere to the dirty sides of the pots. Do 

 not allow' a root bound condition, always repot when 

 a fair proportion of the roots have reached the cir- 

 cumference of the ball. 



Light and Temperainre: Except during the Winter 

 months, do not allow direct sunlight to come in con- 

 tact with the plants. This is harmful, especially when 

 in the seedling stage, therefore aftord shade, and dur- 

 ing Summer maintain as cool a temperature as pos- 

 sible. In Winter an average temperature of 48 to 50 

 degrees F. will suffice. With the increasing warmth 

 of Spring ventilate freely, check the fires, and avoid 

 a rise in temperature above 70 degrees if this is possible. 



JFateriiig and Manuring: Use water which is the 

 temperature of the greenhouse in which the plants 

 grow. Cold water from the hose is harmful. Water 

 only when the soil is fairly dry and the plant ap- 

 proaches the wilting point, but does not actually wilt. 

 Tap the pot with the knuckle and if a bell-like ring 

 is heard, apply water. During fine weather dampen 

 the floors and other surfaces to aftord atmospheric 

 humidity, but discontinue on wet and unfavorable days 

 when the atmosphere is moisture laden. 



Manures may to the best advantage be used when 

 applied in a liquid state. Afiford them only when the 

 ]5lants are well established in their pots, discontinue 

 the practice before the flowers are well advanced. A 

 one inch potful of guano to two and a half gallons of 

 water, urine from the cow stables, diluted with ten 

 parts of water, Black Soot water diluted. Nitrate of 

 Soda, one-half ounce to three gallons of water, are 

 all good manures. Clay's Fertilizer, however, whicli 

 is not hardly obtainable, is perhaps the best. A single 

 handful to three gallons of water is sufficient. Cal- 

 ceolarias may safely be w-atered with one or other of 

 the forementioned manures once weekly. 



Insects Pests: The i>ests of the Calceolaria are not 

 numerous, and are easily eradicated. The Green 

 Ai^hide and the White Fly are the most troublesome. 

 Fumigate with any good tobacco paper, or spray the 

 olants with a very weak solution of nicotine. The 

 White V\\ may onlv be satisfactorily removed by 

 fumigating with Cvanide of Sodium, or of Potassium. 

 Use one ounce of the Cyanide, two ounces of Sulphuric 

 acid, four ounces of water. Pour the acid into the 

 water, place the containers in the greenhouse away 

 from the foliage, close the ventilators, drop the Cya- 

 nide into the mixture of acid and water. Leave hur- 

 riedly and lock all doors, so that no one may enter. 

 Hydrocyanic fumes are deadly poison. The most 

 favorable temperature at which to fumigate is 60 degrees 

 F. The time just at dusk. All plants, floors and other 

 surfaces should be perfectly, or as nearly dry as pos- 

 sible. One-half ounce of the C\'anide is sufficient for 

 every one thousand feet of air space in the green- 

 house. The application of one ounce as for ordinary 

 plants may seriously injure the Calceolarias. 



