AECHMEA. 
Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 
25 
stroyed, and both the health and appearance 
of the plants spoiit. 
ADHATODA CYDONIAFOLIA. 
An evergreen stove species, the only re- 
presentative of the genus often met with. 
It is usually treated as a climber, though 
it can be flowered in the ordinary bush- 
trained form. ‘The flowers are white and 
purple, and are produced in autumn. 
Though a distinct-looking plant, it is less 
effective than many that will conform to 
like treatment. It strikes readily from 
cuttings of the young shoots in spring, 
kept in abrisk heat,and when rooted potted 
singly and grown in a moderate stove 
temperature. If the intention is to use 
the plants as climbers the shoots should 
not be stopped, but if wanted to flower 
in bush form, the points ought to be 
pinched out as soon as they begin to grow 
freely, using a few sticks for support after- 
wards. It comes from Brazil. 
InsEcts.—Mealy bug, and scale, as well 
as the less injurious insects, affect this 
plant. To keep them down, syringe daily 
during the growing season with water, and 
dip in insecticide. 
ADIANTUM. 
A very extensive genus of Ferns, found 
growing naturally over a great portion of 
the globe, but mostly avoiding cold or very 
hot regions. They comprise both stove 
and greenhouse species, and are particu- 
larly handsome, many of them being 
especial favourites with cultivators. 
For propagation and cultivation, see 
Ferns, general details of culture. 
STOVE SPECIES. 
amabile. Peru. 
. Bausei. Of garden origin. 
. brastliense. Brazil. 
. cardiochlena. Tropical America. 
caudatum. East Indies. 
concinnum latum. West Indies. 
cultratum. Brazil. 
. curvatum. Brazil. 
. decorum. Peru. 
Edgworthi. India. 
. farleyense. Barbadoes. 
Feet. Mexico. 
Henslovianum. Peru. 
Kaulfussiz. 
Lathomit. A garden variety. 
lunulatum. East Indies. 
. macrophyllum. West Indies. 
. peruvianum. Peru. 
. Sancta Catharine. 
scutum. 
Brazil. 
DR RDRARRERERR DEER DB 
. Seemann. Central America. 
. tenerum. Jamaica. 
. trapexiforme. West Indies. 
. Vettchw. Peru. 
. velutinum. Colombia. 
Wilestanum. Jamaica. 
pa pa 
po ps bs bs 
GREENHOUSE SPECIES. 
. chilense. Chili. 
. cuneatum. Brazil. 
. excisum multefidum. 
. formosum. Australia. 
gracillimum. Of garden origin. 
hispidulum. New Holland. 
Lawsonit. 
Luddemanianum. 
. palmatum. Peru. 
. reniforme. The Azores. 
. tinctum. Peru. 
A, Williams. Peru. 
bs fo fo fa bs fa 
ALCHMEA. 
Amongst the large number of Brome- 
liaceous stove plants in cultivation there 
are several AXchmeas that occupy a very 
high position, as well for the varied beauty 
of their flowers as for the graceful vase-like 
form of the plants, produced by the peculiar 
elegant curvature of the leaves. From the 
many desirable properties which they 
possess, it would be difficult to imagine 
any plants more worthy of general culti- 
vation. They are easily grown, and their 
moderate size makes them suitable both 
for the largest establishments and for places 
where the space devoted to plant-growing 
is limited. The different species flower at 
different times in the year, thus affording 
a welcome succession in their bloomings. 
Some last in beauty for several weeks ; 
others, like the handsome medium-sized 
Achmea fulgens and A. discolor, with 
their intensely red flower spikes, remain 
very attractive objects for months after the 
actual flowers are gone, their appearance 
being such as to require close examination 
to determine whether the blooms are closed 
or yet to open. Several of the species are 
of a partially epiphytal nature, growing 
in the shady forest between the forked 
branches of trees. sustained in part by the 
decayed vegetable matter lodged there, 
and probably in some cases extending their 
roots down the trunks to the ground, 
where they will obtain additional nutri- 
ment. From this it will be easily under- 
stood that the roots of these plants do not 
like to enter soil that is of a close adhesive 
nature, requiring it to be the opposite— 
loose, fibrous, and open—although there is 
some difference in the ability of the 
different species to exist in soil of a nature 
