CYRTOCERAS. 
Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 
137 
me 
peatedly sought for ; when discovered dip 
in tobacco-water or fumigate with tobacco. 
CYCLANTHUS. 
This is a small genus nearly allied to, or 
more correctly speaking a division of the 
naturalj Order, Pandanaceze. They are 
stove plants little cultivated, but those 
who are fond of fine-foliaged subjects may 
like them. 
The method of propagation is by suckers 
which require to: be struck and grown on 
in the way advised for Pandanus, which 
see. 
The following are, we believe, all the 
species known in cultivation :— 
C. bipartitus. A handsome species with 
large leaves. From Trinidad. 
C. cristatus. A strong-growing kind, 
with longer and more massive leaves than 
the preceding. It comes from the West 
Indies. 
_ C.plicatus. This species is quite different 
in appearance from C. cristatus, being less 
vigorous in growth. 
C. Plumiert. This is a distinct-looking 
sort, with well marked foliage. From 
Trinidad. 
CYPERUS. 
Grass-like stove plants much used for 
decorative purposes in a cut state for inter- 
mixing with flowers. They are also well 
adapted for use associated with blooming 
plants. ; 
They are easily grown and increased by 
‘division of the crowns ; spring just before 
the growing season comes on is the best 
time to increase them. Plants composed 
of several crowns should then be turned 
out of the pots, and divided into small 
pieces, which should be put singly in pots 
big enough to hold them. Ordinary loam 
with a little sand will grow them well; 
when potted water freely. The plants are 
almost aquatic, growing as well in water as 
in the usual way. Stand in a temperature 
of from 55° to 65°, a few degrees either way 
will not make material difference ; give 
shade and air suchas required by ordinary 
stove plants. By the middle of June move 
into 6-inch pots, the size which will 
be most useful for general purposes. 
Treat as before through the summer, by 
the end of which the plants will be large 
enough for use ; keep the soil a little drier 
during the winter, through which a night 
temperature of 50° or 55° will be enough. 
The following are desirable kinds ee 
C. alternifolius. Bright green leaves. A 
native of Madagascar. 
C. alternifolius variegatus. A variegated 
form of the last-named. 
C. lacus. <A distinct and pretty green 
species. 
0. lacus variegatus. A variegated form 
of C. laxus, of recent introduction. 
Insects.—These Cyperus are little sub- 
ject to insects, on account of the quantity 
of water they require, but aphides are 
sometimes troublesome; for these fumi- 
gate. 
CYRTOCERAS REFLEXUM. 
This is a handsome free-flowering stove 
plant of moderate growth, very nearly 
allied to the Hoyas. In some respects, 
indeed, it closely resembles them, especially 
in the general appearance of the flowers 
and in the short spurs on which they are 
borne. The shoots are of a stout woody 
character, erect, and comparatively few in 
number, springing from the collar of the 
plant, and not much inclined to branch ; 
the leaves are thick and leathery and of a 
bright green colour. This plant is well 
adapted for cultivation by those who have 
not the convenience of a large stove, as it 
is a slow grower, and takes a considerable 
time before it occupies much space ; more- 
over, it bears cutting in freely when 
required, breaking up from the bottom if 
the heading down is performed in the 
spring. It is indigenous to Manilla, and 
consequently needs to be kept always 
warm, but when in flower during the 
summer it can, without injury, be moved 
to a conservatory ; it must not however be 
allowed to remain inadraught. Although 
it does not suffer from the drier atmosphere 
usually here maintained, like many stove 
subjects, this can be accounted for by the 
plant never requiring an atmosphere laden 
with moisture to such an extent as many 
oceupants of the stove need ; in fact, if the 
air in which it is grown is too close and 
damp, it often has the effect of causing the 
flowers to fall off before they open. 
Neither does it thrive in so much shade as 
quicker-growing thinner-leaved plants de- 
mand; it will be sufficient to slightly 
protect it from the direct rays of the sun, 
during the hottest weather, so as to prevent 
the leaves being scorched. 
It strikes freely. in the spring from half- 
ripened cuttings, especially if these consist 
of side shoots that can be taken off with a 
heel. Theyshould be inserted singly in small 
pots in a mixture of half sand and fine 
loam, placed in a brisk heat and covered 
with a bell-glass; they will root in four 
or five weeks, after which inure them to 
more air, and let them have plenty of 
