114 ^THE CULTURE OF POT-PLANTS 



winter. They should therefore be planted on mounds of porous 

 soil, and, if possible, a garden light should be supported over 

 them before the autumn rains commence. This will show that 

 they can be grown quite well in a room. The more tender 

 species are best kept in a greenhouse until they flower, when 

 they can be brought indoors. 



Phyllocactus. — The name, derived from phyllon^ a leaf, 

 describes the leaf-like character of the flattened branches. 

 The different species are often classed as stove plants, but 

 they are often grown in a warm greenhouse. The flowers are 

 mostly very large and very handsome, some of them also 

 very sweet scented. 



Sedum. — This genus is closely related to crassula. It 

 was dealt with on p. 44. 



Sempervivum (House-Leek). — Most of the species are 

 hardy, but a few require rather warmer conditions, the best 

 of the latter being S. aureum (yellow), .S*. caiiariense (white), 

 and S. tabulccformce (yellow). Not infrequently, however, 

 the hardy species are also grown in pots, and some of them 

 are very effective, especially S. aracJmoideiwi (Cobweb house- 

 leek) and its larger variety Laggeri, and S. soboliferuni (Hen- 

 and-chicken's house-leek). Sempervivums will grow in any 

 light soil, provided that it is kept dry in winter. Some form 

 of lime, such as old mortar, is beneficial, and for one species 

 {S. calcareuni) should not be omitted. 



