36 THE CULTURE OF POT-PLANTS 



parts with a sharp knife and the appHcation of quickhme to 

 the wounds is recomn;ended. 



Calceolaria. — The shrubby species, of which there are 

 many fine varieties, are usually propagated by means of 

 cuttings inserted in sandy soil and placed in frames, which 

 are kept close and shaded until roots are formed. The 

 young plants are then potted, wintered where they will be 

 safe from frost, but with as little artificial heat as possible, 

 and kept fairly dry. When they begin to grow they need 

 more water, and they should be " stopped " two or three 

 times to make them bushy. They should be moved into 

 larger pots when they require more space, and as the^ 

 additional soil will provide all the food they want for a time, 

 it is best not to give an artificial fertiliser until the flower- 

 buds appear. They are generally propagated annually, young 

 plants being more floriferous than old ones. The herbaceous 

 calceolarias, which are such a feature of flower shows in 

 spring, are all hybrids. They should be cultivated in the 

 same way as cinerarias (p. 38). Calceolarias, like cinerarias, 

 are very liable to be infested with aphides, especially if they 

 are mismanaged. It is easier to prevent an attack by 

 sponging or vaporising than it is to get rid of the insects 

 after they have firmly established themselves on the plants. 



Campanula. — The species most commonly grown in 

 pots are C. pyramidalis (too tall for most rooms, but suitable 

 for a hall) and either the blue or the white form of 

 C isophylla (a trailer, excellent for hanging baskets). But 

 there are many others which may be used ; for instance, 

 C. balchiniana^ C. Cccspitosa (which flowers throughout the 

 spring), C. carpatica^ C. fragilis, and C. pusilla. They can be 

 raised from seed, as described for auriculas. The simplest 

 and quickest method of propagation is by means of cuttings. 

 Young shoots, preferably from the base, should be taken off 

 in spring at a joint, and after the lower leaves have been 

 removed — those which would be in contact with the soil, and 

 would therefore be liable to start decay — should be inserted 

 in moist sandy soil and kept shaded and close (that is, away 

 from air currents). Roots are formed sooner near the side 



