118 ON THE CULTURE OF ACHIMENES. 



ringe or the fine rose of a watering-pan. As they advance in growth 

 and fill their pots with roots, frequently repot them into pots a size 

 larger till finally remove them, the strongest plants into sixteen?, and 

 the others into twenty-fours, using the same kind of compost, except 

 for the last shifting, at which time give them pots two sizes larger, 

 and add one-fourth of well-decomposed hothed manure, using the 

 other part of the compost more turfy and open. Be particular in 

 draining the pots well at each shifting with plenty of broken pots, 

 and to the depth of one inch at least at the last potting. Examine 

 them at each removal, and take away any suckers that may appear 

 about their stems, and also two or three of their lowest side branches ; 

 this tends to strengthen the main stem, and encourages them to make 

 fine symmetrical pyramidal heads. After they are well established, 

 and are beginning to produce flowers, place them, some in a cooler 

 stove, and others in the greenhouse, being careful that they enjoy as 

 much light as possible, which materially enhances the brilliancy of 

 their scarlet flowers, and adds much to their general lustre.* 



After they have done flowering, gradually withhold water, but do 

 not cut their stems away till they have entirely died down. Keep 

 the dormant roots in the pots, on a shelf in the greenhouse, without 

 any water till they are again wanted to vegetate. 



Achimenes Picta blooms far more profusely by the following treat- 

 ment : — the tubers being preserved through winter as the others are 

 directed to be done, must be excited quite early in January, and when 

 the plants can be separated must be done, potting them singly. As 

 soon as they are large enough, cut off the tops at two or three inches 

 long, close under a joint, and strike them in sand ; they readily root, 

 pot off as soon as rooted, and treat in all respects afterwards as stated 

 in the particulars relative to Achimenes coccinea. 



Plants raised from the tubers grow much more into stem and 

 foliage, but are shy of blooming, whereas those from cuttings, whilst 

 they grow vigorously, bloom profusely. This species, too, can be 

 kept growing through the winter, so that, where convenient, a large 

 plant being kept for the purpose of supplying- cuttings early forwards 

 the preparation of plants early in spring. Plants raised from cuttings 

 do not so certainly produce tubers for next year's pushing, as do those 



* We have had plants so treated two feet high, and nearly the same in dia- 

 meter, forming one mass of beauty and brilliancy. 



