86 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



CLEEODENDEON SPLENDENS. 



|HEEE is hardly a more beautiful plant in cultivation 

 than this Clerodendron ; for, under good management, 

 its large clusters of brilliant scarlet blossoms are pro- 

 duced in great profusion, and they last a long time in 

 perfection. Unfortunately, it can never be everybody's 

 plant, for it cannot be grown with advantage except where it can 

 be furnished with plenty of heat and moisture during the growing 

 season. Where there is convenience, however, it is well worth atten- 

 tion, and will he found to amply repay any amount of trouble which 

 may be bestowed on it. 



It may be readily propagated by cuttings made of short-jointed 

 young shoots, selected in a rather firm state, inserted in sandy, peaty 

 soil, covered with a bell-glass, and afforded a brisk bottom-heat. It 

 may also be increased by grafting it on any of the stronger growing 

 varieties ; but, although this plan was at one time much recom- 

 mended, it has now, I believe, fallen into disrepute, the plant having 

 been found to do quite as well on its own roots. The young plants 

 should be potted singly in small pots as soon as they are sufficiently 

 rooted to bear handling, and replaced in bottom-heat, in a moist, 

 warm situation. 



"When well-established, shift into other pots two sizes larger, 

 and keep them as near the glass as is convenient, in order to induce 

 the production of strong, short-joiuted wood. And during the 

 growing season, continue to afford them a brisk bottom-heat eighty- 

 five or ninety degrees, with a warm, moist atmosphere, and all the 

 light possible, merely guarding them from the direct rays of the sun 

 on the forenoons of bright, warm days. Do not keep them growing 

 too late in autumn, however ; rather endeavour to have the cuttings 

 rooted early in the season, so as to get strong, well-furnished plants 

 by autumn, when they should be removed to a drier atmosphere, 

 gradually withholding water from the soil, with a view to get the 

 wood well ripened. And I may observe that upon this, and the 

 plant being allowed a period of rest, future success greatly depends ; 

 lor unless the wood is properly ripened, and the natural season of 

 rest afforded, there will be no possibility of getting them to break 

 strongly or grow vigorously ; but if these particulars have been 

 properly attended to, they will grow equally well whether started 

 in June or March, and form splendid plants for blooming in a warm 

 house during winter. If, however, your young plants are intended 

 for blooming in summer, water should be gradually withheld towards 

 the middle of October, and they may be removed to their winter 

 quarters by the middle of November, which may be a corner of the 

 stove, or to any dry situation, where the temperature may average 

 from fifty to fifty-five degrees, and no water should be given to the 

 soil during the resting season. About March turn them out of their 

 pots, and shake away as much of the soil as can be done without 

 injuring the stronger roots, and re-pot in not over-large pots, using 

 good fresh turfy loam, rich fibry peat, and leaf-soil in about equal 



