240 
Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 
LOPHOSPERMUM. 
The method of propagation and after 
management will be found under Palms, 
general details of culture. 
L. altissima. A strong-growing species, 
with stout, heavily-spined leaf stalks ; the 
leaves are large, fan-shaped, plaited, and 
deeply divided. Java. 
L. chinensis (syn.: Latania borbonica). 
One of the most remarkable of all Palms ; 
its immense leaves spread horizontally so 
as to occupy a large space, when the plant 
gets old, in which state the trunk is thick 
and massive. The leaves are fan-shaped 
and deeply divided. It comes from 
India. 
LOMARIA. 
Many of the species of this genus of 
Ferns are sufficiently distinct in character 
to be well worth growing ; the greenhouse 
kinds will be found the most desirable. 
Several assumea miniature Tree form, and 
can be employed for decorative use in 
many ways. I. gibba is one of the 
favourites in Covent Garden Market. 
For propagation and cultivation, see 
Ferns, general details of culture. 
. cycudifolia. Juan Fernandez. 
. discolor. Brazil. 
Dalgairnsie. South Africa. 
. Fraseriit. New Zealand. 
gibba. New Caledonia. 
. gibba crispa. 
. Zamiefolia. 
NN HESS 
LOMATIA. 
These are very distinct and handsome, 
slow-growing, hardwooded evergreen green- 
house shrubs. Their foliage is beautifully 
subdivided like that of some Ferns, and it 
endures in a healthy condition on the 
plants much longer than that of most 
things. 
They are propagated from shoot cuttings 
which are somewhat difficult to strike ; the 
cuttings may be put in at the latter part of 
summer when the wood is nearly in a 
mature state, and stood in a cool green- 
house, covered with a propagating glass, 
and kept moist through the winter until 
they are callused over. Put them in heat 
where they will root, and then move singly 
into small pots in turfy peat, broken fine, 
with some sand added, keep them in an 
intermediate heat until they have got well 
established, after which a greenhouse tem- 
perature will suffice. When a little growth 
has been made pinch out the points of the 
shoots ; this must be attended to once or 
twice each season for two or three years, 
or they will get thin of branches, which 
will ultimately cause them to become 
naked at the bottom. Each spring they 
should have pots a size or two larger, but 
they must not be over-potted, as they are 
slow growers, and will keep on improving 
for many years. Should the plants ever 
get bare at the bottom they ought to be 
headed down in spring just before they 
begin to grow, the effect of which treat- 
ment will be to make them more dense 
and bushy, and in every way more hand- 
some than when younger. 
L. elegantissima. This it a slender- 
growing species, with the divisions of the 
leaves finely cut, giving it a very distinct 
appearance. 
L. silaifolia. A handsome kind, with 
dark-green, deeply-cut leaves ; it forms a 
dense bush, and is remarkably elegant. 
Both are from New South Wales. 
Insects.—The texture of the leaves is 
such that few insects molest them except 
scale, which, if present, must be removed 
by sponging. 
LOPHOSPERMUM. 
Climbers suitable for growing on the 
roof or pillars of a greenhouse. The 
flowers are produced freely, and have a 
pretty effect. 
They are easily raised from seeds or 
cuttings of the shoots, which strike readily 
in spring in sand, kept moist, close, and 
shaded in a temperature of 65° or 70° ; 
when rooted move singly into 3-inch 
pots—soil composed of peat and a little 
sand suits them best ; grow on with a little 
shade when the weather is such as to re- 
quire it, with air and a free use of the 
syringe daily. About midsummer move 
the plants into 6 or 7 inch pots, and grow 
on as before. Winter in a temperature of 
45°, and in spring give more root-room, 
training the shoots to the place they are 
to occupy. All that is needful afterwards 
is to see that the shoots do not get en- 
tangled, and to give additional room as 
required. 
The following are the kinds most worthy 
of being grown :— 
L. erubescens. Has rose-coloured flowers, 
produced in summer. From Talapa. 
L. erubescens maculatum. Flowers purple 
and white. A hybrid that blooms in 
summer. 
L. Hendersonii. A pretty variety with 
rose-coloured flowers produced in summer. 
L. scandens. Flowers purple and violet, 
asummer bloomer. From Mexico. 
Insects.—Syringe freely through the 
growing season to keep down red spider ; 
for aphides fumigate. 
