28G 



Greenhouse and Utove Plants, plumbago capensis. 



than half a century ago. It is one of the most 

 generally useful hardwooded greenhouse 

 subjects, not nearly so much cultivated as 

 it deserves to be on account of the numerous 

 ways in which it may be grown ; for it 

 succeeds equally well in a large pot, as a 

 trained specimen to twine round a pillar, 

 planted out to clothe a wall, or to hang 

 loosely from the roof of a cool conserva- 

 tory, or confined to the limits of a 6-inch pot, 

 in which way it will flower freely, forming 

 one of the best possible window plants ; to 

 this size it may be restricted for years, 

 occupying a very limited space in winter, 

 and amply repaying the little attention it 

 requires by flowering for weeks in succes- 

 sion. The flowers are produced from the 

 extremities of the young shoots, and are 

 borne in large bunches ; individually they 

 are like a small Phlox in form, but of the 

 most lovely pale blue colour. There are 

 few plants grown that oft'er such a pleasing 

 contrast in both colour and form of flower 

 to the generality of other blooming sub- 

 jects, as does this Plumbago. It is a free 

 grower, and not at all difficult to manage, 

 either in a small or large state. 



There is no way that it can be grown in 

 which it is more useful than in small 2">ots, 

 for general decorative purposes, as, if a 

 number are at hand, a portion, if desired, 

 can be brought into flower in a little heat 

 earlier, to precede such as are allowed to 

 come on gradually in the greenhouse ; 

 by this means a succession may be kept 

 up for three months in summer and 

 autumn. Being a strong-rooted plant it 

 will succeed well in loam, as it, in common 

 with most things that will thrive in this 

 description of soil, has in it a greater dis- 

 position to flower than if in peat ; but the 

 loam should be good in quality, and con- 

 tain plenty of vegetable fibre, and should 

 have added to it one-sixth of sand ; the 

 pots should be well drained. 



This Plumbago strikes readily from cvTt- 

 tings made of the young shoots taken ofl' 

 in spring when 4 or 5 inches long ; these 

 will be forthcoming from plants that have 

 been cut back earlier, and if they have 

 a heel attached all the better. Put them 

 singly in little pots filled with loam and 

 sand, the surface all sand. Keep under 

 a bell-glass, or in a propagating frame, 

 moist, and shaded in moderate heat ; 

 they will soon root, after which inure 

 them to the full air of the house. 

 When well rooted move into 3-inch 

 pots, using ordinary loam and a little sand ; 

 syringe overhead in the afternoons ; pinch 

 out the points of the shoots, stand them 

 where they will get plenty of light, and 

 now give more air. The young plants will 



grow fast, and by the end of July should 

 be moved into 5-inch pots ; continue to 

 treat as advised after the first shift until 

 the middle of August, when leave off 

 syringing and admit more air, with a drier 

 atmosphere. Winter this season at about 

 45°, and towards the end of March, just as 

 they begin to grow, let them be potted ; it 

 is necessary now to determine to what size 

 they are intended to be grown. If the 

 object is to keep all or a portion for flower- 

 ing in a small state, these should be moved 

 into 6 or 7 inch pots. 



If the intention is to grow them larger 

 they ought to have pots at least 8 or 9 

 inches in diameter. In other respects the 

 treatment they require is the same, except 

 that the smallest-sized may need to be kept 

 stopped in closer, so as to induce a propor- 

 tionately more compact habit of growth. 

 Pot them moderately firm, and if the shoots 

 are at all straggling, shorten them back to 

 about 8 or 10 inches in length, tying them 

 out horizontally well down so as to induce 

 them to break back, in which way they 

 will push almost every eye. Place them 

 in a house or pit, where they can be kept 

 at a temperature of about 45° in the night, 

 with proportionate increase in the day with 

 sun heat ; close the house early enough in 

 the afternoons while the sun is up, so as 

 to raise the temperature, syringe them 

 oveihead at the same time, and as the 

 season advances and the weather gets hot, 

 give a little shade, and nse sufficient water 

 under the stages, and about on the paths 

 to keep the atmosphere in a moist condi- 

 tion to promote I'ree growth. All that 

 will be required through the spring and 

 early summer, will be to 23inch back any 

 shoots that may show a disposition to out- 

 grow the others, and tie to sticks so as to 

 keep them in shape. About August they 

 will commence to bloom, and as soon as 

 the floweis begin to open cease syiinging. 

 They may then be moved to the conserva- 

 tory, or any place where flowering plants 

 are required — where they will receive a 

 moderate amount of light and air to ripen 

 up the growth, no more of which for the 

 season should be encouraged. When the 

 blooming is over give less water and place 

 the plants for the winter in an ordinary 

 greenhouse temperature of from 35° to 40° 

 in the night. They may be either cut back 

 at once, or this can be deferred until 

 nearer spring ; the shoots of such plants as 

 are intended to he grown on in the small 

 pots should be cut to within a few eyes of 

 where they were shortened to the spring 

 previous ; again, about the end of March, 

 before they begin to grow, turn them out, 

 shake. three-fourths of the soil from them. 



