i 5 6 



IRISH GARDENING 



Streptocarpus. 



It is many years since the first hybrid Strepto- 

 carpus was raised, from S. Rexii and S. Saundersii, 

 but in the meantime much has been done in 

 hybridizing and selection, which has resulted in a 

 magnificent strain being created. 



The first step to popularise this plant was taken 

 about twenty-five y T ears ago by the Curator of the 

 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Mr. W. Watson), 

 who produced S. kewensis by crossing S. Rexii 

 with S. Dunnii, the latter species having been 

 introduced from S. Africa about that period. 

 Another hybrid raised at Kew from S. parviflorus 

 and S. Dunnii was 

 named Watsonii. 

 Messrs. Veitch saw great 

 possibilities in the 

 St icpl ocarpus, and they 

 secured a selection of 

 t he Ki-w hybrids, which 

 came under the care 

 of tin- veteran John 

 Heal, who lias suc- 

 ceeded in producing 

 many of the fine ex- 

 amples that we hav e 

 to-day. These beauti- 

 ful plants are remark- 

 able for the abundance 

 and almost rout inuous 

 succession of bloom, 

 and t he great variel y of 

 colour. We have w hit e, 

 red ami rose, purple 

 and violet, white and 

 blotched kinds, and 

 mixed shades of colour, 

 all of which conic 

 tolerably true from 

 seed. Some line ex- 

 hibits of these charm- 

 ing plant s are occasion- 

 ally seen at t he Royal 

 I fori icult ura. I Sociel y'a 



Shows at V i n C e n t 



Square, t he plant s being 

 only seven mont bs old, 

 yet they bore a wealth 

 of bloom We inent ion 

 t his fact just to show 

 what can be done both 

 by the amateur and 

 private gardener, for 

 few plants, if given ordi- 

 nary care and attent ion. 

 prove more amenable 

 to cultivation. A 



selection now largely grown is 'one known as the 

 achimeniflorus section, which were s<» named on 

 account of I beir si piking resemblance to I be flowers 

 of an Achimenes, and were created l>\ crossing 

 some of Veitch's original hybrids with S. polyant ha. 

 The flowers are produced in great profusion from 

 May to September, the panicles being branched 

 and very effective. There are various shades of 

 colour, such as white, rose, and lavender-blue. 



Streptocarpiises should certainly be more 

 largely grown, for few subjects can equal them 

 for distinction and delicacy of colour, while they 

 are invaluable for the cool' greenhouse, conserva- 

 tory, and table decoration. 



In the first place, the seed should he procured 



IYya (iiii.i.n.sIs. L2 f e et high. 



from a reliable firm, and then sown thinly and 

 evenly in pans of light soil, barely covering it 

 with very fine compost. The whole ought then 

 to be covered with a sheet of glass, and if the 

 plants are wanted to flower the following autumn 

 t hey must be sown early in the y T ear, and placed in a 

 temperature of (>5° F., when the seed will soon 

 germinate. Directly the seedlings are large 

 enough to discern one from another they should 

 he transferred to pans or boxes of fairly light soil, 

 about an inch, apart. Return to the same tem- 

 perature, and keep them shaded from strong 

 sunlight. 'Under such conditions they soon make 

 progress, and must be potted on as root action 

 warrants a shift. About June or July they should 

 be ready for three- and 

 four-inch pots, while 

 four- and five-inch pots 

 will be large enough for 

 them to flower in, al- 

 t hough we have seen 

 extra strong examples 

 placed in a size larger. 

 A good rooting medium 

 consists of partly rotten 

 loam two-thirds, and 

 leaf -mould one-third, 

 with a fair sprinkling 

 of silver sand; the whole 

 being passed through 

 a half-inch sieve, and 

 thoroughly mixed a 

 week or two before it 

 is required. Hard pot- 

 ting must not be prac- 

 tised, for the roots 

 delight to ramble as it 

 were among loose 

 material that is not 

 soddened with water. 

 When the plants are 

 placed in pots, an inter- 

 mediate f emperat lire 

 is best, and a shelf, or 

 somewhere near the 

 ill ass. ]> roves an ideal 

 position, if shaded from 

 the direct rays of the 

 sun. A lew stray flower 

 scapes will appear in the 

 early part of t he sum- 

 mer, which must be re- 

 moved, and t he plant s 

 encouraged b y oc- 

 casional waterings with 

 weak liquid manure if 

 the receptacles are 

 Idled wit h roots. 

 S t r e p t o carp U s e s 

 require careful watering at all times, but they enjoy 



an atmosphere not overdry. while a, little fresh air 

 must be admitted at every favourable opportunity. 

 Like all Gesneraceous subjects, they are most 

 susceptible to excesses of any kind, and to secure 

 the hest possible results one must try to strike 

 the happy medium. Being herbaceous perennials 



the best' forms may be mown on, using the 

 compost in a lumpier condition, and a, sprinkling 

 of Clay's fertiliser, or some oilier that is easily 

 assimilated, will be of considerable benefit. One 

 of the secrets of success is to raise a batch of 

 seedlings most years, because, there is nothing 

 like keeping up a young stock to net the linest 



blooms. Sot'THKHNKK. 



