DILLENIA. 
most favourite Tree species, including the 
well-known D. antarctica, and others nearly 
allied. D. antarctica is more largely culti- 
vated than any other Tree Fern, its robust, 
hardy constitution befitting it for thriving 
well in a greenhouse. D. squarrosa is also 
a beautiful species, forming a straight, 
slender trunk, surmounted by an elegant 
symmetrical head of fronds. 
For propagation and cultivation, see 
Ferns, general details of culture. 
GREENHOUSE SPECIES. 
D. antarctica. Australia. 
D. fibrosa. New Zealand. 
D. squarrosa. New Zealand. 
D. Young. New South Wales. 
DIDYMOCHLANA LUNULATA. 
A very distinct-looking, dwarf Tree 
species of Fern, from South America, that 
will succeed in a greenhouse. It is often 
spoilt by being grown too warm, in which 
case the pinnules frequently drop off. 
For propagation and cultivation, see 
Ferns, general details of culture. 
DIEFFENBACHIA. 
Many of these thick, succulent-stemmed 
stove Aroids have very handsome varie- 
gated leaves, differing considerably from 
most other fine foliage plants, and having 
a handsome appearance when associated 
with flowering and other ornamental-leaved 
habitants of a warm house. Most of those in 
cultivation are from the West Indies or the 
hotter parts of Southern America, and there- 
fore require a good deal of heat togrow them. 
They are easily grown, and can be propa- 
gated in a warm house, without difficulty, 
from pieces of their succulent stems con- 
taining one or more eyes. They should be 
inserted so as just to cover the base in pots 
half filled with sandy soil, the remainder 
all sand, and kept in a brisk heat, but not 
too moist or they are liable to rot ; nor is 
it well to keep the cuttings so close or 
confined as needful with most things. 
The eyes generally start into growth at the 
time roots are being pushed ; when these 
are fairly formed the young plants should 
be moved singly into 5-inch or 6-inch pots 
in sandy loam or peat ; either will do. 
If propagation has been effected early 
in the spring the temperature should be 
increased as the weather gets hotter ; 65° 
or 70° in the night, with proportionately 
more in the daytime, will do through the 
summer, during which season they cannot 
be kept too near the glass, if not absolutely 
touching it, but they must be protected 
Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 
147 
from the sun with a thin shade, or the 
leaves will lose their healthy colour. 
Syringe overhead daily in the afternoons 
through the growing season, giving air in 
the middle of the day. This is all the 
attention they require beyond larger pots 
as the roots want more room. Where large 
specimens are wanted they may be had by 
heading back such plants as consist of a 
strong single stem, which will cause the 
stool to push out a number of shoots, or 
several rooted cuttings may be put together 
in a good-sized pot and treated in other 
respects as advised for the single-stemmed 
specimens. One season is generally long 
enough to keep the plants, as their leaves 
are not very persistent, and after the first 
summer they usually get bare at the 
bottom unless cut back and started afresh, 
striking the tops and such portion of the 
stems as required in the way already indi- 
cated. By the use of manure-water large 
plants can be grown in comparatively small 
pots. 
: The following is a selection of the best 
and most distinet kinds :— 
D. amena. Deep green leaves, mottled 
with white and yellow. 
D. Baraquiniana. Has handsome green 
leaves blotched with white ; the leaf-stalks 
are also white. 
D. Carderti. Leaves deep green, about 
half the surface covered with large ir- 
regular white blotches. 
D. Chelsonit. Green ground coloured 
leaves, with greyish-white nerves, and clear 
yellow mottling. 
D. Leopoldvi. A distinct and handsome 
sort, the leaves of a very deep green shade, 
extremely lustrous ; the midrib has a broad 
ivory white band running its entire length. 
D. Wallis. Ground colour deep green, 
the central nerve greyish-white, with white 
blotches on the leaf. 
There are many others differing slightly 
from these, but the above are sufticient for 
ordinary cultivation. 
InsEcrs.—Dieffenbachias are little sub- 
ject to insects. Red spider and aphides 
will live on them, but can easily be kept 
down by syringing. 
DILLENIA SPECIOSA. 
An evergreen stove shrub or small tree. 
It is only fit for growing in a large stove, 
where the intention is to illustrate so far 
as possible under glass the character of 
tropical vegetation. The leaves are quite 
a foot long. The flowers, which are white 
in colour, are 8 or 9 inches in diameter, 
but are rarely forthcoming in cultivation. 
It is increased by cuttings of the shoots, 
