186 
Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 
GLEICHENIA. 
roots, using soil a little coarser than that 
in which they were started. With this 
section it is even more important than 
with the first-mentioned to keep them 
near the light, as the general appearance 
of the plants is quite as much a matter of 
consideration as are the flowers they ulti- 
mately bear; unless all their leaves are 
retained in a fresh, healthy condition until 
the blooming is finished half their beauty 
is lost, and this is not possible if the leaf- 
development takes place under insufficient 
light. They require shade when the sun 
is bright, otherwise the leaves do not attain 
their wonted lustre. Increase the tem- 
perature as the days lengthen, apply water 
to the roots regularly, and syringe over- 
head in the afternoons. By July the 
strongest plants may be moved into 6 or 
7 inch pots, the weaker ones receiving pro- 
portionately less room ; or two or three of 
these may be put in a pot of the larger 
size, but when sufficiently strong they 
look best grown singly. They will need 
a thin stick to each shoot to keep them in 
an erect position. As autumn advances 
cease shading and the use of the syringe, 
and gradually decrease the heat, but this 
should not be reduced lower than that in 
which they were first started. Their time 
of blooming will be regulated in a great 
measure by the heat in which they are 
kept through the winter ; in an ordinary 
stove they will bein flower during December, 
January, and February, and where wanted 
later it is well to start a few bulbs after 
the time advised the preceding spring. 
When the flowering is over, dry them off 
and store them where they will be neither 
too cold nor so warm as to cause them to 
push before they are required. If room is 
an object, the roots may be shaken out of 
the soil and placed in paper bags in a little 
dry sand. 
Among a number of fine kinds the 
following are especially deserving of 
cultivation :— 
G. albo-lutescens grandiflora. A hand- 
some and distinct kind, with delicate 
creamy white flowers that contrast well 
with the higher shaded sorts. 
G. Barlowii. A medium-habited sort, 
with stout leaves and large spikes of 
flowers. 
G. cinnabarina. A red-flowered, stout- 
growing Mexican kind that blooms freely. 
G. Cooperti. A large tuberous Brazil- 
ian species which, when in strong condi- 
tion, produces a number of flower-stems 
that bear stout spikes of rich scarlet 
bloom. 
G. Dauw. A handsome variety, flowers 
white, rose, and yellow. 
G. Donckelaarti. Also an erect-habited 
Columbian sort, with deep crimson flowers. 
G. econiensis. A remarkably handsome 
sort, the leaves of which are beautifully 
coloured, and in texture as lustrous as 
velvet. 
G. fulgida bicolor. Flowers vermilion, 
spotted with white beneath. 
G. gloxinieflora. So named on account 
of its beautiful Gloxinia-shaped flowers; it 
is a handsome, but by no means common 
plant. 
G. ignea. A garden hybrid, with vivid 
crimson blooms that are very handsome. 
G. Infanta. Tube light rose, yellow 
within, tinged with blush. 
G. Leopoldi lilacina. A very distinct 
kind, the flowers of which have a lilac 
shade; a desirable sort. 
G. magnifica. One of the finest ; flowers. 
deep scarlet. 
G. tubiflora. A South American species, 
with long tube-shaped scarlet flowers. 
Gt. zebrina. This Brazilian species be- 
longs to the scaly-rooted kinds that have 
such conspicuously handsome leaves, which, 
independently of the flowers, add much to 
the beauty of the plants ; the flowers are 
produced in long erect panicles, and are 
scarlet and yellow. 
Insects. — The continuous syringing 
needed when the plants are in active 
srowth is generally sufficient to keep down 
red spider, thrips, and aphides, but, should 
the latter appear, fumigate. They must be 
carefully guarded from the attacks of mealy 
bug, for, if this gain a footing on the fine- 
leaved kinds, the sponging and brushing 
necessary for its removal almost destroys. 
the beauty of the plants. 
GLEICHENIA. 
The species included in this genus of 
Ferns, which comprises both stove and 
greenhouse kinds, are not numerous, but 
they are extremely beautiful. Their ele- 
gantly divided fronds are conspicuous, not 
alone among Ferns, but among all other 
plants as well. Most of the favourite sorts 
come from New Holland, and adjacent 
parts. Their creeping stems spread rapidly 
if allowed space in which to push their 
roots. In propagating Gleichenias care 
should be taken not to divide them into 
too small pieces—each piece intended to 
form a plant should have a good portion of 
roots attached. They do better kept a 
little warmer than in a greenhouse, and 
do not like too much moisture in the 
atmosphere or being syringed overhead ; 
they must also be kept perfectly free from 
scale insects, or it is impossible to grow them. 
