Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 



147 



most favourite Tree species, including the 

 well-known D. antarctica, and others nearly 

 a.llied. D. antarctica is more largely culti- 

 vated than any other Tree Fern, its robust, 

 hardy constitution befitting it for thriving 

 well in a greenhouse. D. squarrosa is also 

 a beautiful species, forming a straight, 

 slender trunk, surmounted by an elegant 

 symmetrical head of fronds. 



For propagation and cultivation, see 

 Ferns, general details of culture. 



GREENHOUSE SPECIES. 

 D. antarctica. Australia. 

 D. fibrosa. New Zealand. 

 I), squarrosa. New Zealand. 

 D. Youngii. New South Wales. 



DIDYMOCHL^NA LUNULATA. 



A very distinct-looking, dwarf Tree 

 species of Fern, from South America, that 

 will succeed in a greenhouse. It is often 

 spoilt by being grown too warm, in which 

 case the pinnules frequently drop off. 



For propagation and cultivation, see 

 Ferns, general details of culture. 



DIEFFENBACHIA. 



Many of these thick, succulent-stemmed 

 stove Aroids have very handsome varie- 

 gated leaves, differing considerably from 

 most other fine foliage plants, and having 

 a, handsome appearance when associated 

 Avith flowering and other ornamental-leaved 

 habitants of a warm house. Most of those in 

 cultivation are from the West Indies or the 

 hotter parts of Southern America, and there- 

 fore require a good deal of heat to grow them. 

 They are easily grown, and can be propa- 

 gated in a warm house, without difficulty, 

 from pieces of their succulent stems con- 

 taining one or more eyes. They should be 

 inserted so asjust to cover the base in pots 

 lialf filled with sandy soil, the remainder 

 all sand, and kept in a brisk heat, but not 

 too moist or they are liable to rot ; nor is 

 it well to keep the cuttings so close or 

 •confined as needful with most things. 

 The eyes generally start into growth at the 

 lime roots are being pushed ; when these 

 .are fairly formed the young plants should 

 be moved singly into 5-incli or 6-inch pots 

 in sandy loam or peat ; either will do. 



If propagation has been effected early 

 in the spring the temperature should be 

 increased as the weather gets hotter ; 65° 

 •or 70° in the night, with proportionately 

 more in the daytime, will do thiough the 

 summer, during which season they cannot 

 be kept too near the glass, if not absolutely 

 touching it, but they must be protected 



from the sun with a thin shade, or the 

 leaves will lose their healthy colour. 

 Syringe overhead daily in the afternoons 

 through the growing season, giving air in 

 the middle of the day. This is all the 

 attention they require beyond larger pots 

 as the roots want more room. Wliere large 

 specimens are wanted they may be had by 

 heading back such plants as consist of a 

 strong single stem, which will cause the 

 stool to push out a number of shoots, or 

 several rooted cuttings may be put together 

 in a good-sized pot and treated in other 

 respects as advised for the single-stemmed 

 specimens. One season is generally long 

 enough to keep the plants, as their leaves 

 are not very persistent, and after the first 

 summer they usually get bare at the 

 bottom unless cut back and started afresh, 

 striking the tops and such portion of the 

 stems as I'equired in the way already indi- 

 cated. By the iise of manure-water large 

 plants can be grown in comjiaratively small 

 pots. 



The following is a selection of the best 

 and most distinct kinds : — 



D. ammna. Deep green leaves, mottled 

 with white and yellow. 



D. Baraquiniana. Has handsome green 

 leaves blotched witli white ; the leaf-stalks 

 are also white. 



D. Carderii. Leaves deep green, about 

 half the surface covered with large ir- 

 regular white blotches. 



I). Chelsonii. (ireen ground coloured 

 leaves, with greyish-white nerves, and clear 

 yellow mottling. 



D. Leojwldii. A distinct and handsome 

 sort, the leaves of a veiy deep green shade, 

 extremely lustrous ; tlie midrib has a broad 

 ivory white band running its entire length. 



D. TFallisii. Ground colour deep green, 

 the central nerve greyish-white, with white 

 blotches on the leaf. 



There are many others differing slightly 

 from these, but the above are sufticient for 

 ordinary cultivation. 



Insects. — Dieffenbachias are little sub- 

 ject to insects. Eed spider and aphides 

 Avill live on them, but can easily be kept 

 down by syringing. 



DILLENIA SPECIOSA. 



An evergreen stove shrub or small tree. 

 It is only fit for growing in a large stove, 

 where the intention is to illustrate so far 

 as possible under glass tlie character of 

 tropical vegetation. The leaves are quite 

 a foot long. The flowers, which are A\hite 

 in colour, are 8 or 9 inches in diameter, 

 but are rarely forthcoming in cultivation. 



It is increased bv cuttinijs of the shoots. 



