26 



THE I'AXADIAN HORTICULTURIS'. 



GREENHOUSE AND WINDOW. 



HK increasing^ power of the sun's rays 

 as the end oi January approaches 

 will brighten up the outlook for a 

 better supply of blossom than has existed 

 during the early part of the winter. From 

 now until spring there should be a succes- 

 sion of the showy, welcome, and one might 

 almost say "anticipating blossoms" of the 

 natural spring flowering bulbs, such as daf- 

 fodils, narcissi, hyacinths, etc., as these al- 

 ways seem by their bright attractive blos- 

 soms to bring prospective spring nearer to 

 us than it would otherwise seem to be with- 

 out them. Bulbs are indispensable for 

 greenhouse and window effect in winter. 

 Stevias, Eupatoriums, Epiphyllum trunca- 

 tum (lobster cactus), and similar plants will 

 also make a variety of blossom at this sea- 

 son of the year. The last named plant, of 

 which there are several varieties, makes a 

 grand addition to a few greenhouse or win- 

 dow plants in winter. The Epiphyllums 

 succeed best when grafted on the Pereskia 

 stock. The grafting process is not a diffi- 

 cult operation to accomplish, the best time 

 to secure cuttings or growth with which to 

 propagate being probably after the plants 

 are out of flower in spring. A small piece 

 of the cactus can be broken off at a joint, 

 inserted in a cleft made in the stock, and se- 

 cured there by a sharp piece of stick being 

 run through the stock and graft. If the at- 

 mosphere is at all moist, nothing further 

 will be needed to ensure success. Tying 

 with a piece of string will answer the same 

 purpose as the small pointed piece of stick, 

 to secure the graft in position. Cuttings 

 of these plants will also root readily in sand, 

 but are better suited to furnish hanging pots, 

 brackets, etc., than for growing in the ordin- 

 ary way. A light sandy loam, not very 

 rich, with plenty of drainage, and not too 

 much water at the roots, are conditions that 



suit Epiphyllums the best. The brig-ht col- 

 ored, odd looking flowers oi these plants, 

 protruding as they do from the extreme tips 

 of their peculiar flat, crenate growth, give 

 them a unique appearance, and making a 

 plant or two of them a striking feature 

 amongst a general collection of greenhouse 

 plants. In summer plants of the Epiphyl- 

 lum can be stood outside in partial shade 

 until early autumn, and require very little 

 care and attention. The Epiphyllums make 

 good plants also for the window. Calla 

 lilies will require plenty of water at the roots 

 and an occasional syringing of the foliage. 

 These plants are very subject to aphis or 

 green fly, and sponging the parts affected 

 with weak tobacco water, or a light fumiga- 

 tion from burning damp tobacco stems, will 

 keep down these little pests that multiply so 

 fast on greenhouse plants generally. 



Amaryllis bulbs that have been dormant 

 or semi-dormant during winter, will soon 

 show signs of active growth. These should 

 be potted at once on showing signs of 

 growth. A fairly rich loamy soil, and about 

 an inch oi broken pots for drainage, suits 

 most of the numerous varieties and types 

 of the Amaryllis family. 



Late flowering cinerarias must be re- 

 potted into large pots before the pots they 

 are in are filled with roots. The earlier 

 sown Cinerarias will soon be showing flower, 

 and a little weak liquid cow manure once a 

 week will help to produce large flowers. 

 Overhead syringing, almost daily, helps 

 these plants and also assits in keeping dow'n 

 green fly ; the latter are very partial to cin- 

 erarias. Tepid, clear water, should be used 

 for the latter purpose. 



All autumn struck geranium cuttings 

 should be potted into small pots. Any old 

 plants of these that were cut back, and have 

 been kept in sand, can be potted into as 



