BIGNONIA GKANDIFLOEA. 275 



dormant during the winter season when planted in conservatory 

 or greenhouse borders or pits, it is capable of enduring a com- 

 paratively low temperature — in fact, of withstanding any degree 

 of cold ; but it only discovers its highest vigour and greatest 

 beauty where its annually re-accumulated growth has been sub- 

 jected to a genially-stimulating atmosphere during the spring 

 months — a condition always essential to its successful manage- 

 ment in pots. 



A young plant may be obtained from the nurseries with a 

 good leading shoot. When received, it should be potted in three 

 parts friable turfy loam, and one of heath mould, adding one- 

 sixth of pure river or white sand. It sliould then be trained as 

 a young vine, supported by a stake proportionate to the mean 

 vigour of the plant, and started into growth in March or April, 

 with the progressive temperature of a warm greenhouse or vinery, 

 water being applied " freely but seldom," about each alternate 

 or third day (but intermediately syringed), until its well-deve- 

 loped leaf buds indicate a healthy circulation of its sap. The 

 lower buds, or small branches on the stem, may be encouraged 

 until a vigorous growth is obtained ; after which, increase 

 should be principally restricted to the leading shoot. If a 

 healthy plant is selected, it will reach 4 or 5 feet in height the 

 second season ; and this being attained, the terminal branching 

 head should be formed by pinching or cutting off the extremity 

 of the leading shoot at the required elevation. This oi)erati()ii 

 being performed during the vigorous growth of the plant, will 

 favour, at least, the partial formation of the upper leaf buds into 

 branches during tlie current year's growth. 



The plant should be encouraged to grow vigorously during 

 the second and third year by means of a stronger bodied soil, 

 and an additional sixtii part of well-decomposed leaf mould, 

 assisted by a weak solution of manure water, once a week. 



If the growth is obtained in a vinery, the plant should 

 be placed under a good exposure to light, until the lateral 

 branches at the extremity have attained 2 feet or more in length, 

 and then it should be removed to a similar situation in the 

 modified temperature of a greenhouse or conservatory, which 

 will assist it in forming flower buds. 



After the plant has flowered, it should be permitted to ripen 

 its wood by exjjosure to a temperature of from 60° to 65°, water 

 being more sparingly applied to the roots than formerly ; and 

 the whole of the expended flower stem at tlie extremity of each 

 branch cut off, in order to aid the fertility of the remaining growth 

 for the ensuing year. 



As the plants evince a tendency to rest, which is known by 

 the partial discoloration of their leaves, they should be gra- 



u 2 



