14S ON THE CULTURE OF TROroeOLUS?, 



ARTICLE II. 

 ON THE CULTURE Or TROPOiOLUM, 



SY MR. JOHN FYFFE, GARDENER TO THE REV. WILLIAM MANSFIELD, MILTON 

 BRYANT RECTORY, BEDFORDSHIRE. 



Although all the Tropceolums are easily grown, some care is re- 

 quired in starting them from bulbs. The general way of treating 

 these plants, is to put them into a little heat, but I have found 

 this mode of treatment to be hurtful to Tropceolum tricolorum, 

 when first exciting it from a dormant state. If the bed is fresh 

 and a strong heat, it is in danger of being scorched, even if you 

 succeed in its starting, as this species is so very tender in the 

 first stage of its growth. 



The method which I have found to be most successful in grow- 

 ing the more tender sorts of these interesting plants from bulbs, 

 is to pot them in a mixture of good rotten leaves, peat, loam, and 

 sand; say one part of each, or one-half leaves, one-fourth loam, 

 and one-fourth sand, placing the bulb in the centre of the pot, 

 leaving the crown all exposed on the surface of the pot, and pla- 

 cing the lower extremities in a layer of white sand, which pro- 

 tects it from rotting if overwatered, and to guard more effectually 

 against this, the pot should be well drained, and very little 

 water given ; until such time as the bulb is in a growing state the 

 pot should be placed in some airy part of the greenhouse, and a 

 bell glass put over it. If the weather is hot, and much sunshine, a 

 little shade should be put over it during the heat of the day, and 

 the glass must be daily wiped to clear it of the condensed vapour, 

 and left off for a time as in the treatment of cuttings. 



The most successful mode of growing Tropceolum pentaphyl- 

 lum and tricolorum, is from cuttings, in the autumn, winter, or at 

 any season, when the plant shows a tendency to decay; take the 

 tips of each shoot, about three or four joints from the point and 

 put them in sand and leaf mould in equal proportions, mixed well 

 together; if in the winter, place them in the greenhouse cover- 

 ing them with a bell-glass, but if in the spring or summer, in a 

 hot frame, they will strike in a few days, and make fine plants be- 

 fore autumn. 



P. S. I am trying an experiment with Tropceolum tuberosum, 

 which, when accomplished, I shall feel a pleasure in forwarding 

 to'you, perhaps it may be of use to the readers of the Floriculhual 

 Cabinet. J - Fvff k 



(We fcliall be highly obliged by lite favour.— Conductor.) 



