LIVISTONA. 



Greenhouse coid Stove Plants 



J3y 



common than it is, but it is well to men- 

 tion at the outset that it is a difficult 

 subject to deal with ; nevertheless it is 

 well worth all the attention that can be 

 bestowed on it. Lisianthus Eussellianus 

 is indigenous to Texas, and it must have 

 special treatment, for, unless well managed, 

 it gives a very imperfect idea of its beauty. 

 The seeds should be sown in February ; 

 if deferred later the plants do not acquire 

 their wonted strength before autumn. 

 Drain well a 7-inch or 8-inch pot, and 

 then fill it up to within half an inch of the 

 rim with fine sifted peat, to which has 

 been added a moderate quantity of sand ; 

 press this firmly down, and on the top lay 

 half an inch of sand, which water well and 

 press the surface smooth ; on this scatter 

 the seeds, just pressing them lightly with 

 the hand so as to embed them in the sand ; 

 put a piece of glass that will cover the top 

 of the pot over it, and stand in a saucer, 

 which keep with about an inch of water in 

 it. Place in a temperature of 65°, and 

 shade carefully from the sun, so that the 

 surface whereon the seeds are sown may 

 not get dry, for no water should be given 

 overhead until the plants have got two 

 pairs of leaves. As soon as the seed has 

 vegetated stand where the seedlings will 

 get plenty of light, but they must not have 

 the sun directly upon them. A piece of 

 thin white tissue paper we have found the 

 best material for protecting them without 

 keeping out the light. Now give enough 

 water to keep the soil well moistened, with 

 some air daily, and when they have got 

 three pairs of leaves move them singly into 

 little pots. 



A moderate stove temperature will 

 answer through the summer ; pinch out 

 the points of the shoots directly they com- 

 mence to grow after potting ; repeat this 

 once more about the middle of July, and 

 move them into 3-inch pots, using fibrous 

 peat and a little leaf- mould. In September 

 they should be placed on a shelf within 12 

 inches or 15 inches of the roof, standing 

 the pots in shallow pans ; give no more 

 water through the winter on the surface, 

 but when the soil appears to be getting too 

 dry pour about half-an-inch into the pans 

 — it will then be sucked up by the plants. 

 They must not be allowed to get so dry as 

 to flag, or they will be seriously injured, 

 and they will not bear water applied to the 

 surface during the winter, as it almost in- 

 variably causes them to damp off. A tem- 

 perature of 50° in the night will suit them 

 until the middle of March. An inter- 

 mediate Orchid house answers for them 

 through the winter. About the time above 

 named they will require moving into their 



blooming pots. They should now have a 

 large shift ; an 8-inch pot will not be too 

 big for a single plant, and good peat witli 

 a little leaf-mould and sand should be used. 

 A 12-inch pot will do for three plants, 

 putting them close together in the middle ; 

 they should still have a position with their 

 heads near the glass, and again be shaded 

 when the sun comes on them. The night 

 temperature ought now to be 60°, and that 

 of the day 70° or 75" ; they must have as 

 much water as will keep the soil fairly 

 moist ; the shoots will grow fast, and will 

 each want a thin stick to support them. 

 As the weather gets warmer laise the heat 

 to 65° or 66° in the night and 80° by day, 

 with air daily, and a moderately moist 

 atmosphere. 



By the end of l\Iay they will show 

 flower, which will take five or six weeks 

 before it expands. They will keep on 

 blooming for five or six weeks, during 

 which time the plants may be stood where 

 they will be a little cooler, but not have 

 too'much air or be in a draught. They can 

 now be placed further from the glass, 

 where they will be seen more to advantage. 

 After blooming keep on attending to them 

 until the seed is lipe, when it is best to 

 throw them away, bringing on young seed- 

 lings each year to take tlieir place. 



Insects.— This Lisianthus is liable to 

 the attacks of aphides, red spider and 

 thrips, especially the last. Dipping in 

 tobacco water and sponging with clean 

 water is the most successful remedy. 



LITOBROCHIA. 



A genus of Ferns, most of which are 

 stove species ; they are pretty, and suffi- 

 ciently distinct from others to make a few 

 representatives of the genus worth growing. 



For propagation and cultivation, see 

 Ferns, general details of culture. 



L. aurita. Isle of Luzon. 



L. davallioides. 



LITTONIA MODESTA. 



This is a stove plant of a scandent habit 

 of growth. It is suitable for chAhing a 

 pillar, or rafter, or may be trained on a 

 trellis. The flowers are campanulate in 

 shape, of a dark yellow, or orange colour. 

 It requires similar treatment to the 

 Gloriosas, which see. Africa. 



LIVISTONA. 



A noble genus of large-growing stove 

 Palms, that require much room to be seen 

 in a faiily developed state. 



