250 
Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 
MIMOSA. 
easily grown, and among the freest of free 
bloomers, flowering in succession from 
every shoot that is made. Blooming as 
they do in a small state, these Meyenias 
are suitable for growing by those who are 
not able to accommodate larger plants. 
Cuttings made of small bits of the young 
shoots strike freely ; if these are put in 
about the middle of April they will root 
in three or four weeks if kept close, moist, 
and shaded ; when well rooted move them 
singly into 3-inch pots. They will grow 
in either peat or loam ; if the latter is used, 
mix with it a little leaf-mould, adding sand 
according to the nature of the loam ; give 
them a temperature of 65° in the night 
with more during the day, regulated by 
the heat out of doors. Do not over-water, 
as these plants, through free growers, are 
a little delicate at the roots. Give shade 
or not, as needed by the state of the 
weather. Stop the shoots to promote the 
growth of side branches, and give 7-inch 
or 8-inch pots as soon as those the plants 
already occupy are filled with roots. As 
growth extends a few sticks may be re- 
quired for support. A little manure-water 
will be of use after they have got well hold 
of the soil. Syringe freely overhead daily 
throughout the summer, regulating the 
amount of air by the outside temperature. 
Towards August they may be expected 
to bloom, after which they will keep on 
until the approach of autumn renders a 
reduction of heat necessary. Give less 
water through the winter, during which 
time a temperature of 55° or 60° will 
suffice, They may be cut in before start- 
ing to grow in spring; then again keep 
them warmer, and, as soon as they have 
broken, repot, giving them 2 inches or 3 
inches more room. This second summer, 
if manure-water is regularly supplied, they 
will not require another shift, and will 
bloom all through the season after mid- 
summer. The plants may, if required, be 
kept on another year or be discarded, and 
their place filled by younger stock. These 
Meyenias come from Fernando Po. 
Insrects.—These plants are somewhat 
liable to red spider, but the nature of their 
foliage is such that the regular syringing 
they should have daily through the grow- 
ing season will be sufficient to keep this 
insect down, and also aphides, which are 
likewise sometimes troublesome. 
MICROLEPIA. 
This genus of Ferns consists of stove and 
greenhouse species, and is closely allied to 
Davallias. It contains a few kinds worth 
growing. 
For propagation and cultivation, see 
Ferns, general details of culture. 
STOVE SPECIES. 
South Sea Islands. 
East Indies. 
M. hirta cristata. 
M. platyphylla. 
GREENHOUSE SPECIES. 
M. anthriscifolia. South Africa. 
M. scabra. Nepaul. 
MIKANIA. 
Evergreen greenhouse twiners, with 
pretty flowers, but not much grown, or 
equal to many things that will succeed 
under the same conditions. They are in- 
creased by shoot cuttings in spring, struck 
in the usual way, and grown on in a 
mixture of peat and loam, in a little extra 
warmth, until they are big enough to plant 
out where they are to remain ; or they can 
be transferred to good-sized pots, with the 
shoots kept trained over the space to be 
occupied. 
M. scandens. Has white flowers, pro- 
duced in summer. From North America. 
M. suaveolens. Also has white flowers, 
that appear in summer. A native of South 
America. 
Insects.—Red spider and thrips are 
sometimes troublesome ; fumigate for the 
latter, and syringe to keep the spider in 
check. 
MIMOSA PROSTRATA. 
Most of the species of Mimosa re- 
quire more warmth than a greenhouse 
affords, but there is one, M. prostrata, that 
may be used as a roof climber in a cool 
house, in which way its elegant foliage is 
seen to advantage. 
It is an evergreen plant, and can be in- 
creased by shoot cuttings in spring in the 
usual way, kept close, moist, and shaded in 
a temperature of 70°; afterwards they can 
grown on in a moderate stove heat until 
they have got well established ; afterwards 
they will thrive in the temperature of a 
greenhouse, with such treatment as ordi- 
narily given to the occupants of a cool 
house. The young plants should not be 
stopped, but encouraged to grow with a 
single stem, which should be trained to the 
rafter intended to be occupied ; more root- 
room should be given as required. 
Insects.—_Syringe freely through the 
spring and summer to keep down red 
spider. Aphides are sometimes trouble- 
some on this Mimosa, and are best got rid 
of by fumigation. 
