266 



Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 



PANDANUS. 



vated of iiny. It comes from the West 

 Indies. 



H. rotatum is from Carolina, and is a 

 smaller grower than some others of the 

 family. 



F. speciomm. Another West Indian 

 plant, a stronger grower than the preced- 

 ing. It usually blooms later in the 

 summer than P. fragrans. 



P. znjlanicum. A very handsome kind 

 of medium growth from Ceylon. 



The above are all white-fiowered sorts, 

 and will generally be found to be sufficient, 

 except in the case of those who form col- 

 lections of these plants. 



Insects. — The smaller species of insects, 

 such as thrips and aphides, that affect stove 

 plants will live upon Pancratiums. These 

 can be destroyed by fumigating with 

 tobacco. Scale and mealy bug where pre- 

 sent are the most troublesome, as they get 

 down into the axils of the leaves, from 

 whence they can only be removed by 

 sponging or "the use of a soft brush, 



PANDANUS. 



The Pandanus or Screw Pines, so called 

 from the screw-like form m which their 

 .leaves spring from the main stem, are 

 remarkable for their elegantly curved 

 leaves which reflex with a regularity that 

 gives them in either a large oi' small state, 

 when well grown, an interesting appear- 

 ance. In colour some are deep green with 

 a reddish bro\vn shade on their toothed 

 edges and sharply spined midrib, as in P. 

 utilis or P. elegantissimus, or beautifully 

 variegated with white, as in P. Veitchii, or 

 P. javanicus. They are mostly strong 

 growers, but several of the species attain a 

 much larger size than the rest. The 

 majority of them come from the hot parts 

 of the eastern hemisphere, and consequently 

 like a high temperature. 



They are increased from suckers which 

 most of the species produce more or less 

 freely from the main stem ; if these are 

 taken off in the spring, a few of their 

 bottom leaves removed, placed singly in 

 small pots filled M'ith a mixture of half loam 

 and sand, and stood in a brisk bottom heat, 

 such as would do for suckers of the edible 

 Pines, they will soon emit roots. When 

 well rooted it is better to stand the plants 

 close to the glass where they will get a full 

 volume of light, for upon the leaves not 

 becoming at all drawn depends the appear- 

 ance of the plants as they get larger. The 

 green-leaved kinds require only as much 

 shade as will keep their leaves from getting 

 injured ; the variegated ones want more 

 shading, or the white portions assume an 



ugly greenish yellow colour. As the sun 

 approaches its full power the heat should 

 be increased to 70" in the night, with 

 10° or 15" more in the day when it is 

 bright, giving air daily when the weather 

 will permit, and syringing the plants over- 

 head in the afternoons. By the beginning 

 of .. aue larger pots will be required ; the 

 size of these must be regulated in accord- 

 ance with the difference in the kinds culti- 

 vated, the most room being given to the 

 strongest growers. Drain the pots well ; 

 they will succeed in either peat or loam, 

 but we prefer the latter, as it usually 

 favours more robust growth as well as 

 higher colour in the variegated sorts. If 

 more root-room is wanted before the end 

 of summer it must be given, they are free- 

 rooting plants, but yet it is not well to 

 give them larger pots than necessary. Ee- 

 duce the temperature in the autumn, and 

 discontinue shading ; 60° or 65° in the 

 night will be enough through the winter, 

 with 5° or 10° more in the day ; at the 

 same time keep the soil drier. In the 

 spring again inciease the warmth both day 

 and night, and treat generally as advised 

 the preceding season, giving additional pot- 

 room as it becomes necessary. All that is 

 required fui-ther is to follow on with the 

 treatment advised up to this point, giving 

 larger pots from time to time as the roots 

 fill those they already occupy. "^Mien the 

 specimens get old and the lower leaves fall 

 off, or become shabby, the heads may be 

 cut away, which will cause the stems to 

 break out, the young suckers from which 

 can be taken off and treated as advised, 

 after which the old stools can be discarded, 

 as young plants are prefei'able. 



The undermentioned are a few of the best 

 and most distinct : — 



P. elegantissimus. A free-growing kind 

 from the Mauritius, with handsome foliage 

 that ultimately attains a considerable size. 



P. graminifolius. A very handsome 

 small-growing kind ; one of the most 

 elegant in habit and suitable for growing 

 where the larger sorts are not. 



P. javanicus variegatus. Is handsomely 

 variegated and particularly pretty while 

 young. 



P. reflexns. A strong grower that attains 

 a very large size ; the leflexing of its leaves 

 <.'ives it a distinct appearance. A native of 

 the East Indies. 



P. utilis. A very strong-growing, hand- 

 some species from Bourbon. Suitable for 

 cultivating in a big house where its large 

 spreading leaves will have room. 



P. Vandermeerschii. This also is a de- 

 sirable sort that attains a medium size. 



P. Veitchii. A beautifully variegated 



