Greenhouse and Stove Plants 



21] 



time cuttings are made from the preceding 

 summer's shoots, using two, three, or more 

 joints, and they are inserted singly in 

 3-inch pots in half loam and sand, they 

 will root in a few weeks placed in a tem- 

 perature of 70°. They need not be kept 

 nearly so close as things with softer leaves, 

 that would flag if not in a confined damp 

 atmosphere. When well rooted, move 

 them into 6-inch pots. They will grow in 

 almost any descrij^tion of soil, but loam is 

 the most suitable, as it is not so liable to 

 get sour as peat is ; it should be of a turfy 

 nature, and have a liberal quantity of sand 

 added, for although the plants are anything 

 but of a tender character, still if the soil ever 

 gets in a condition that the water cannot 

 jaass freely from it the roots are almost sure 

 to perish. Through the summer the night 

 temperature should be about 70°, with 10° 

 more in the day, giving air according to 

 the state of the weather. Reduce the heat 

 in autumn, and through the winter 60° by 

 night will do, keeping the jDlants drier at 

 the roots. About the end of February 

 give more warmth, and move into pots a 

 few inches larger, according to the strength 

 of the different species. Increase the heat 

 as the season goes on. They will flower 

 more or less during the summer, but not 

 so as to make the display that may be 

 looked for when they have acquired more 

 size. As soon as the blooms begin to show 

 on the ends of the spurs, cease syringing 

 overhead, as water sometimes causes 

 the young buds to drop before opening. 

 As a matter of course they will now be 

 placed where they are intended to grow, 

 which may be over a path, up a rafter, or 

 round a pillar ; they can likewise be used 

 as trained specimens when required. 

 However employed, they are better in pots 

 than planted out. All that is further 

 needed is to give more pot-room as this is 

 wanted, and to treat through the Avinter 

 and summer as already advised. The 

 plants will last for many years. 



H. bella and H. Paxtonii are small- 

 growing shrubby plants of a half procum- 

 bent habit, and their beautiful pearly 

 white and pink flowers are produced freely 

 in the spring and summer ; they strike 

 readily in spring from cuttings made of the 

 points of the shoots, consisting of several 

 joints, treated like the other sorts. These 

 do not require large pots — such as are 10 

 or 12 inches in diameter will be found big 

 enough for most purposes. Like all the 

 species, they must have plenty of light 

 when growing, and not too much moisture 

 either in the atmosiihere or at the root. 

 When flowering they require to be sup- 

 ported by a moderate number of neat 



sticks, otherwise the branches will lie 

 quite flat, but they should by no means be 

 subjected to the stift", foimal training some- 

 times seen by placing them on tiellises, rrs 

 it completely destroys the elegant ap- 

 pearance the plants have when allowed to 

 assume more of their natural form. The 

 pots wherein these two kinds are grown 

 must be well drained ; they like a mode- 

 rate quantity of water both to the roots 

 and overhead when growing, but must not 

 receive too much in the winter. They 

 will bear the shoots shortening in mode- 

 rately after flowering, when the growth 

 has got larger than is requisite. They 

 should be kept in a temperature of 60° 

 when at rest during the winter. Both 

 these sorts are peculiarly adapted for 

 growing in 8 or 10 inch pots suspended 

 from the roof over the paths in the stove, 

 where there is sufficient head-room ; the 

 flowers in such a position are very effective. 

 These two kinds may be used freely for 

 cutting, as they yearly produce a profusion 

 of bloom-spurs. Their delicate-coloured 

 flowers have a charming effect when mixed 

 with almost anything else. 



The following are likewise desirable 

 sorts, that will succeed under similar 

 treatment : — 



H. globulosa. This has thick leathery 

 foliage, of moderate size ; the Howers are 

 straw-coloured, produced freelj'. It has 

 the appearance of being a handsome, 

 distinct kind. India. 



H. lasicnitha. Flowers pale orange and 

 white ; foliage bold and handsome. From 

 Borneo. 



H. linearis. A distinct new species, 

 with slender branches and long, narrow 

 leaves. Flowers produced at the points of 

 the shoots, white, with pink centre. A 

 suitable plant for a hanging basket. From 

 the Himalaya. 



H. 2^C'^^'^(f^flora. Is a small-growing 

 species, with white flowers. Java. 



H. Shepherdii. A distinct-habited plant, 

 with stout foliage ; the flowers are sutiused 

 with rose. A native of India. 



Insects. — Thrips and red spider will 

 sometimes make their appearance upon 

 them, especially if the atmosphere is kept 

 very dry for a considerable time during 

 the growing season ; but a weak solution 

 of insecticide will be found an eflectual 

 cure. Scale and mealy bug must be kept 

 under by syringing with stronger applica- 

 tions of insecticide when at rest, but it 

 should be kept away from the roots. In 

 the growing season syringe with clean 

 warm water and sponge the leaves and 

 shoots. 



