Greenliouse and Stove Plants, 



ANCECTOUHILUS. 



that of the well-known British Fern, 

 Osmunda regalis. 



For proiJagation and cultivation, see 

 Ferns, general details of culture. 



A. collina. Brazil. 



A. flexuosa. South America. 



A. tomentosa. 



ANGIOPTERIS EVECTA. 



A very distinct-looking and handsome 

 stove species of the genus Angiopteris, 

 which should be grown by all who form 

 collections of Ferns. It comes from the 

 Society Islands. For propagation and culti- 

 vation, see Ferns, general details of culture. 



ANCECTOCHILUS. 



Although Anoectochili attain a height 

 of only a few inches, and in this respect 

 are insignificant, compared with many of 

 the noble stove fine-foliaged plants now in 

 cultivation, they may nevertheless be 

 justly termed the gems of the vegetable 

 kingdom, so exquisite is the network of veins 

 which covers their leaves. Anoectochili 

 are found in both the Eastern and Western 

 hemisj^heres, but the kinds which possess 

 the richest leaf-colouring come from the 

 East, the silvery- veined .sorts in most cases 

 belonging to the West. Unfortunately 

 they are generally found difficult to cul- 

 tivate ; though they can often be increased 

 and made to grow well for a time, it not 

 unfrequently happens that they sicken and 

 die off, even in the hands of those who 

 have been most successful with them, and 

 this without any change in their treatment 

 or remission of attention ; these facts point 

 to something wrong as regards management. 

 The flowers that Anoectochili produce are 

 insignificant, and on that account no one 

 cares about them. Therefore, in place of 

 subjecting the plants to alternate periods 

 of growth and rest, as in the case of other 

 Orchids appreciated for their bloom, they 

 are generally pushed on to make growth 

 so as to increase their numbers as quickly 

 as possible. For a good many years we 

 grew all the best varieties in a house that 

 could not be kept higher than 60° at night 

 during winter, and from a small stock soon 

 had pans of setaceus, Lowii, xanthoj^hyllus 

 and others, 16 inches across, filled as full as 

 they could hold with plants unusually 

 strong ; but as soon as we gave them more 

 warmth in winter, and consequently less 

 rest, they failed to do so well. 



They are increased by cuttings made 

 from their fleshy stems, which should be 

 cut into pieces consisting of one or two 

 joints each. Divide the pieces midway 



between the joints — not at the joint, as in 

 the case of most other plants. They may 

 be propagated at any time during spring 

 or summer, but propagation is best carried 

 out before growth commences, about the 

 end of February. Sphagnum chopped 

 fine, three parts to one of fibrous matter from 

 good Orchid peat, with some sand and small 

 crocks or charcoal, is the best material in 

 which to grow them. 3-inch potSj well 

 drained, and filled with this compost, will 

 hold two or three cuttings, the roots of 

 which, if there be any, should be inserted 

 in the soil, and the pieces pegged down 

 horizontally, so as to almost imbed them 

 in the compost, which ought to be pressed 

 moderately firm and kept slightly moist, 

 but not too wet. The little pots should be 

 plunged in a larger pot or pan in a mixture 

 of sphagnum and sand, and the whole 

 covered with a bell-glass, which should be 

 kept tilted half an inch or so to admit some 

 air. They should be placed where there is 

 jilenty of light, but shaded from sunshine 

 if it be at all powerful. A night tempera- 

 ture of 60°, with an increase of 10° in the 

 daytime, will be sufficient until the sun 

 gets a little more power. In. a few weeks 

 the buds will start, and soon form shoots 

 and small leaves ; give water so as to keep 

 the soil in a slightly moist condition, and 

 in May increase the temperature at night 

 to 65° or 66°, letting it run up to 80° or 85° 

 in the daytime. It is a good plan to wipe 

 the moisture from the inside of the glasses 

 daily, as its removal lets in more light, an 

 important matter as regards giving strength 

 and solidity to the young growth ; for 

 although Anoectochili will grow fast m a 

 semi-darkened place, the growth thus made 

 is weak. A position close to the upright 

 glass, either at the front or end of the 

 house in which they are grown, is best 

 calculated to keep them healthy, but they 

 must not have a current of cold air ad- 

 mitted near them, such as would enter if a 

 light opposite to where they are placed 

 were opened. The length of time it takes 

 to produce full-sized crowns fiom cuttings 

 like those described depends upon the 

 strength of the plants from which the 

 cuttings are made ; if the stems are thick, 

 the yot;ng plants will make four or five 

 leaves before autumn. 



The summer treatment is simply a con- 

 tinuance of that just recorded. When in 

 full growth they should, howe\-er, have 

 more water, but they should never be 

 allowed to get either too dry or too wet. 

 In giving water, if any rest on the young 

 unfolded leaves, it is well to blow it oif. 

 After the middle of September shade only 

 when the sun is very bright. In the last 



