346 THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



JUSTICIA SPECIOSA. 



|OTWITHSTANDING that this plant is hardly surpassed 

 for easy culture, and that it produces a long succession 

 of showy flowers in the dead of winter, it is scarcely 

 ever met witli pave in a neglected state — the result, no 

 doubt, of its having been long common in collections. 

 Its management is so thoroughly easy, that it is hardly necessary 

 to make it the subject of aa article, and it is chiefly with a view of 

 directing the attention of those to it who are fond of winter-blooming 

 plants that it has been selected ; and there can be no doubt that 

 amateurs will find it well worth its room, and the little attention 

 necessary to grow it well. 



As usually met with, this Justicia presents a leggy, naked appear- 

 ance, and it is frequently seen in this state where better thiugs 

 might be expected ; but this is entirely the result of bad treatment, 

 for the habit of the plant is good, although, like other free-growing 

 subjects, it is apt to lose its bottom leaves and become leggy, under 

 bad management. Cuttings root in a tew weeks inserted in a sandy 

 soil, and placed in a gentle bottom-heat; but, in order to secure 

 large specimens for blooming after a season's growth, the cuttings 

 should be put in about August, or so as to allow of bavin- them 

 rooted and well established in small pots before winter. They should 

 be potted off singly in small pots as soon as they are fairly rooted, 

 and placed near the glass in a moist, rather shady part of the stove, 

 or a warm pit, pinching out the points of the shoots as soon as the 

 roots get hold of the soil, and stopping must be attended to duriDg 

 the growing season. 



In winter place the young plants in any roomy situation near the 

 glass where the temperature may range towards 50 Q , and keep them 

 properly supplied with water at the root. About the beginning of 

 March, or as soon after this time as convenient, remove them towhere 

 a growing temperature of about 60° is maintained by artificial means, 

 allowing it to rise 10° or 15° with sun-heat and air. Shortly after 

 placing the plants in heat, give them a moderate shift, using about 

 equal portions of good rich turfy loam, peat, thoroughly decomposed 

 cow-dung, or leaf-soil, and sharp sand, well intermixed together. As 

 soon after potting as the roots appear to have started into the fresh 

 soil, stop the shoots, and tie them nicely out, keeping them well 

 down, which will have the effect of causing the bottom buds to start 

 into growth, and inducing a bushy habit of growth to begin with.^ 



As the season advances, and the plants get into free growth, give 

 air freely on mild days, and keep them near the glass. Towards 

 May they will probably have filled their pots with roots, and may 

 then be' afforded a liberal shift ; and this should not be neglected 

 until the plants suffer for the want of pot-room, and lose their foliage. 

 The same attention to tying out the shoots will be necessary, as 

 recommended after the previous shift, and the plants should be well 

 supplied with water at the root, and also moistened over-head with 

 the syringe on the afternoons of fine days. When summer weather 



