CYRTOOERAS. 



Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 



137 



peatedly sought for ; when discovered dip 

 in. tobacco-water or fumigate with tobacco. 



CYCLANTHUS. 



This is a small genus nearly allied to, or 

 more correctly speaking a division of the 

 natural Order, Pandanaceae. They are 

 stove plants little cultivated, but those 

 who are fond of fine-foliaged subjects may 

 like them. 



The method of propagation is by suckers 

 which require to be struck and grown on 

 in the May advised for Pandanus, which 

 see. 



The following are, we believe, all the 

 species known in cultivation : — 



G. bipartitus. A handsome species with 

 large leaves. From Tiinidad. 



C. cristatus. A strong-growing kind, 

 with longer and more massive leaves than 

 the preceding. It comes from the West 

 Indies. 



G. plicatus. This species is quite different 

 in appeai^ance froni C. cristatus, being less 

 vigorous in growth. 



G. Plumieri. This is a distinct-looking 

 sort, with well marked foliage. From 

 Trinidad. 



CYPERUS. 



Grass-like stove plants much used for 

 decorative purposes in a cut state for inter- 

 mixing with flowers. They are also well 

 adapted for use associated with blooming 

 plants. 



They are easily grown and increased by 

 division of the crowns ; spring just before 

 the growing season comes on is the best 

 time to increase them. Plants comjiosed 

 of several crowns should then be turned 

 out of the pots, and divided into small 

 pieces, which should be put singly in pots 

 big enough to hold them. Ordinary loam 

 with a little sand will grow them well ; 

 when potted water freely. The plants are 

 almost aquatic, growing as Avell in water as 

 in the usual way. Stand in a temperature 

 of fiom 55° to 65°, a few degrees either way 

 will not make material diffeience ; give 

 shade and air siich as required by ordinary 

 stove plants. By the middle of June move 

 into 6-inch pots, the size which will 

 be most useful for general purposes. 

 Treat as before through the summer, by 

 the end of which the plants will be large 

 enough for use ; keep the soil a little drier 

 during the winter, through which a night 

 temperature of 50° or 55" will he enough. 



The following are desirable kinds : — • 

 C alternifolius. Bright green leaves. A 

 native of ISIadauascar. 



C. alternifolius vart"gatics. A variegated 

 form of the last-named. 



G. laxus. A distinct and pretty green 

 species. 



G. laxus varicgntus. A variegated foini 

 of C. laxus, of recent intro<luction. 



Insects. — These Cyperus are little sub- 

 ject to insects, on account of the quantity 

 of water they require, but aphides are 

 sometimes troublesome ; for these fumi- 

 gate. 



CYRTOOERAS REFLEXUM. 



This is a handsome free- flowering stove 

 plant of moderate growth, very nearly 

 allied to the Hoyas. In some respects, 

 indeed, it closely resembles them, especially 

 in the general appearance of the flowers 

 and in the short spurs on which they are 

 borne. The shoots are of a stout woody 

 character, eiect, and compai'atively few in 

 number, springing from the collar of the 

 plant, and ncjt mutli inclined to branch ; 

 the leaves are thick and leathery and of a 

 bright green colour. This plant is well 

 adapted for culti\'ation by those who have 

 not the convenience of a large stove, as it 

 is a slow grower, and takes a considerable 

 time before it occupies much space ; more- 

 over, it bears cutting in freely when 

 required, breaking up from the bottom if 

 the heading down is perfoi'med in the 

 spring. It is indigenous to Manilla, and 

 consequently needs to be kept always 

 warm, but when in flower during the 

 summer it can, without injury, be moved 

 to a conservatory ; it must not however be 

 allowed to remain in a draught. Although 

 it does not sufl'er from the drier atmosi^here 

 usually here maintained, like many stove 

 subjects, this can be accounted for by the 

 plant never requiring an atmosphere laden 

 with moisture to such an extent as many 

 occupants of the stove need ; in fact, if the 

 air in which it is grown is too close and 

 damp, it often has the eftect of causing the 

 flowers to fall ott' before they open. 

 Neither does it thrive in so much shade as 

 quicker-growing thinner-leaved plants de- 

 mand ; it will be sufiicient to slightly 

 protect it from the direct rays of the sun, 

 during the hottest weather, so as to prevent 

 the leaves being scorched. 



It strikes freely in the spring from half- 

 ripened cuttings, especially if these consist 

 of side shoots that can be taken off with a 

 heel. Theyshouldbe inserted singlyin small 

 pots in a mixture of half sand and flne 

 loam, placed in a brisk heat and covered 

 with a bell-glass ; they will root in four 

 or five weeks, after which inure them to 

 mure air, and let tliem have plenty of 



