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THE CANADIAN HORT1CULTDRI8T. 



GLOXINIAS AND GESNKRIAS. 



Tliese beautiful plants are not very 

 common in Canada, nor do I suppose 

 they ever will become so in the same 

 degree as the Geranium and a few 

 other plants which can be grown with 

 a measure of success under very varied 

 conditions, and which T am pleased to 

 know can be seen in nearly every real 

 home in our country. I am quite 

 aware of the fact that neither Glox- 

 inias nor Gesnerias will ever become 

 such universal household necessities as 

 these plants I have just alluded to, but 

 there is no reason why they should be 

 so very rare and uncommon as they 

 are. Well grown, perfect specimens of 

 either are nearly as beautiful as it is 

 possible for anything in the floral king- 

 dom to be. And the Gloxinia in 

 particular, by its neat, compact form of 

 growth, freedom from insect pests, and 

 long continuance of bloom, has, with 

 the Gesneria, much to recommend it 

 for the conservatory. After several 

 failures I have had my efibrts to grow 

 these beautiful plants crowned with 

 perfect success. Last season my Glox- 

 inias were in bloom from May until 

 September, and sometimes a dozen and 

 a half of fine blooms on a single plant. 



I will give a brief outline of the 

 treatment required (or what was suc- 

 cessful with me) in the culture of the 

 Gloxinia, and this will in the main 

 answer for both. 



In the first place get bulbs (if you 

 can) which have been keept right ; that 

 is, which, while resting, have been 

 kept dry, or nearly so, and at a high 

 temperature. Pot in soil composed 

 largely of leaf mould or something 

 light and porous. Do not fill the pots 

 within an inch of the top, as later on 

 the plants may need filling in with 

 earth to make them firm. Cover the 

 bulbs about half an inch deep with 

 soil, and place the pots in a frame or 

 case in a warm pai-t of the conserva- 



tory." It is best to have considerable 

 bottom heat at first. Water sparingly 

 till after growth commences. Do not, 

 if possible, at this stage, or at any 

 time wet the leaves or subject them to 

 bright sunlight, as either of these mis- 

 takes will destroy the velvety beauty 

 of the foliage. After the plants have 

 become well established, water can be 

 given freely. Keep an even but high 

 temperature and a humid atmosphere 

 until the plants commence to flower. 

 The temperature may then be lowered 

 as it lengthens the blooming season. 

 After bloom has ceased withhold water 

 and place the pots in a warm place to 

 rest the bulbs until again required. 

 The Gesneria requires the same treat- 

 ment with the exception that I find it 

 best to plant several bulbs of some 

 varieties in one large pot. A pot of 

 Gesneria zebrina, treated as advised^ 

 will form a great bush nearly three 

 feet high, and at blooming time will be 

 spangled with from fifty to a hundred 

 bright red and orange colored flowers, 

 which, with the rich velvety purple 

 and green of the leaves beneath, makes 

 an object of lare beauty. 



I think among Gloxinias that the 

 drooping kinds are the most beautiful, 

 although I know it is considered pro- 

 per to admire the erect kinds the most. 

 The erect Gloxinia is a somewhat late 

 introduction, and has been produced, I 

 believe, by the skill of the florist, and 

 is considered by some as a striking ex- 

 ample of the way in which art can 

 mend nature ; but I cannot help feel- 

 ing that much of the gj-ace and beauty 

 of a bell- shaped flower, such as this is, 

 is lost by turning it stifily upward at a 

 correct angle of just so many degrees. 

 I would advise no one to attempt the 

 culture of either of these plants if not 

 thoroughly in earnest about it, for an 

 ill-grown specimen of either is a poor 

 object, and bears about as much re- 

 semblance to a well-grown and ])erfect 



