IRISH GARDENING 



25 



Winter-flowerino; Be^^onias." 



TT* KW piriiils possess so nianv attractive tVatiiics as the 

 J[" winler-floweriiij; Hesfonias, londiiig^ ihomsolvfs in 

 the way they do to bold scheines ol' decoration, 

 floweriiii;' in the wildest profusion, and brig^htenini; np 

 the jfreenhonse diirintf the dreary days of winter. 

 Sinee the introduction of Begonia socotrana, about thirty 

 years ago, jjreat strides have been made, for this section 

 of Begonias now forms quite a large collection. By far 

 ihe most popular is Begonia Gloire de Lorraine, dis- 

 tributed in 1893 by M. Lemoine, of Nancy, in I''rance, 

 raised from the inter-crossing of the well-known Be- 

 gonia socotrana and the white flowered South .African 

 Begonia Dregei. Since Begonia Gloire de Lorraine has 

 become so popular, seedlings and sports therefrom have 

 maiie their xippearance, some of which are now exten- 

 sively grown. The best, in mv opinion, are Begi^nia 

 Mrs. Leopold Rothschild, lilac pink, which sported 

 from Begoniii Gloire de Lorraine in the gardens .'tt 

 Gunnersbury House, one of the seats of Mr. Leopold 

 Rothschild. This variety makes a handsome plant, antl 

 is considered by many to be equal, or better, than its 

 progenitor. Begonia Turnford Hall, a white variety, 

 which sported from Begonia Gloire de Lorraine at the 

 Turnfoi"d Hall Nurseries, and distributed bv Messrs. 

 Rochford in iqoi, is quite a contrast to the pink varieties. 

 Mixed with the pink, these plants, grown in :\ b.^sket, 

 present a beautiful appearance. 



Begonia Patrie, raised and distributed about three 

 years ago by M. Lemoine, of Nancy, was claimed by 

 the raiser as a probable rival of Begonia Gloire de Lor- 

 raine ; but, as far as one can judge at present, these 

 anticipations do not appear likely to be realised. .Still 

 it must be borne in mind that Glotie de Lorraine did 

 not bound into popularity at once. Patrie is of bold 

 habit of growth, with large, handsome, shining green 

 leaves — a very free-flowering variety, but dull in colour, 

 and does not show up so well under artificial light as 

 the varieties already mentioned. Begonia Rochfordii. 

 which received an award of merit last season, dis- 

 tributed by Messrs. Rochford. of the Turnford Hall 

 Nurseries, is a deep-coloured form of Hegonia Ciloire 

 de Lorraine — certainly the nearest approach to a red 

 that I have yet seen — a very fine variety, none willdenw 

 Begonia .\mabilis, rose-pink, distributed by the same 

 tirni this year, is a cross between Begonia socotrana and 

 Begonia Masterpiece ; it is, without a doubt, one of the 

 best new introductions, and is well worthv of attention as 

 avery desirable memberof the winter-flowering seciioti. 

 By crossing a yellow-flowered tuberous variety with 

 Begonia socotrana, Messrs. J. Xeitch & Sons, of Chelsea, 

 have obtained a distinct and beautiful race, receiving 

 awards of merit in November for three distinct 

 varieties — Begonia .Acquisition, salmon pink ; Begonia 

 Her Majesty, orange : and Begonia Exquisite, rosy- 

 pink, distinct in colour — and their robust, vigorous 

 constitution promises to prove of considerable value for 

 commercial as well as private purposes. .Several other 

 types have been brought before the public at different 

 times, but those already mentioned are the most suitable 

 for a general collection. 



" faper read by H . Mutam, manager of Messrs, E. Browett it 5owi' 

 ■Vursrrv. on December sisf. 19:1, at Kingstown Gardeners* Society. 



judging by the increased demands of the public, it 

 must be admitted that these Begonias are likely to play 

 an important p.irt in gardens in the future. From a 

 commercial point their' value can scari'eU' be over- 

 estimated. 



Propagating and growing of these Begonias present 

 few difliculties, as far as my experience extends. The 

 e.isiest and best method of propagating them is by 

 cuttings. Select nice, short cuttings about two inches 

 long, taken from the base of old plants. Cut immediately 

 below a joint, and trim off the lower leaf. .No difficulty 

 will be found in rooting these if placed in a sandy com- 

 post, dibbling them in shallow boxes or around the 

 sides of small pots, keeping them clo.se in a warm house 

 until rooted. .\ little judgment is required in watering, 

 as too much moisture results in damping, which is, of 

 course, fatal, while too little will cause flagging, which 

 is seldom otherwise than fatal. 



Great care is requii ed in the selection of stock plartts. 

 Plants that are allowed to flower from October to March 

 have practically exhausted themselves, and are useless, 

 as cuttings from such plants are very weak and scarce, 

 and it is a waste of time to try and root weak cuttings, 

 as very few will root, and those that do will not be 

 worth growing. The selection of stock plants should 

 be made in October. \'ery healthy, short-jointed plants 

 full of vigour are required. Cut oft" part of their flowering 

 shoots and place in a cool, airy house, and pay 

 careful attention as regards watering, placing them in 

 a brisk heat in the early part of the year, and syringe 

 two or three times a day ; then they will throw up 

 quantities of suitable cuttings. 



Leaves that are well matured can also be used for 

 propagating, by cutting them ofl" close to the stem, 

 dibbling them into sandy soil, and keeping them close in 

 a warm structure they will quickly take root. These, 

 1 find, are not so suitable for growing on into large 

 plants as cuttings, but potted into three-inch pots 

 they make ideal plants, suitable for edging of groups 

 .md stages, and other decorative purposes. 



When the cuttings are well rooted and seem to be 

 starting into growth, Ihcy should be potted into thuinb 

 pots, using a compost very similar to that in which they 

 have been propagated, keeping them in a warm 

 structure for a few days. spra\ing them overhead to 

 stop flaggitig. afterwards transferring to shelves or 

 upon a stage near the glass, so as to keep the plants 

 sturdy, maintaining the soil in a moist condition. No 

 amount of care in the after-cultivation will undo the 

 mischief caused by previous lack of attention. When 

 well rooted in the small pots they should be transferred 

 to their flowering pots. Pots six inches in diameter 

 will generally be found sufficient for the larger plants, 

 and five inch pots will do nicely for the second size. 

 Cuttings rooted later in the season make nice plants 

 in thumbs or three inch pots, and are very suitable for 

 all kinds of table decoration. 



It is a great mistake to overpoi these subjects; 

 potting should be moderately firm, and the pots clean 

 and dry. Pay careful attention to the crocking of pots, 

 as good drainage is essential. If the small pots get too 

 full of roots, the latter do not run so freely into the new- 

 soil as when less root-bound. For the final potting the 

 compost should consist of two-thirds good friable loam, 



