THIRD WEEK IN FEBRUARY 



intense scarlet, crimson, and salmon-pink, spotted with a 

 deeper tint, for many weeks. 



Dolichodeira tubiflora is a very distinct member of the 

 gesneraceous order, with a large tuber like that of a gloxinia, 

 and highly fragrant flowers in pure white, one of which will 

 scent the conservatory in summer. It is grown on the same 

 lines as the gloxinia, but it is considerably taller. Kollikeria 

 argyrostigma has specially beautiful foliage, in rich dark 

 green, flushed with purple and spotted with white ; its 

 small blossoms are produced on long spikes in great profu- 

 sion, the colour being creamy white, flecked with scarlet. 

 Another most beautiful foliage plant is Certoderia splendens, 

 with richly tinted, velvet-like leaves and salmon-scarlet 

 flowers. This plant does best in a basket, and requires 

 considerable warmth in winter, but is well worth the little 

 extra care it requires. 



Saintpaulia ionantha is the smallest of the gesneraceae in 

 cultivation, being only 4 or 5 inches in height. On a tuft 

 of dark green leaves it displays its profusion of pretty 

 blossoms in amethystine blue, a rare colour in this order, 

 and indeed amongst all flowers. This plant does not lose 

 its leaves entirely in winter, and should never be dried off. 

 Its cultivation is somewhat similar to that of the better- 

 known streptocarpus, but it is not quite so hardy as the 

 latter, which may be successfully grown in an ordinary 

 greenhouse temperature, whilst the saintpaulia suffers if the 

 thermometer goes below 50 in winter. Many beautiful 

 varieties of the streptocarpus have been introduced of late 

 years, those in white, with a purple throat, being amongst 

 the best ; these plants can be raised from seed and potted 

 on as recommended for gloxinias, keeping them in active 

 growth until they attain flowering size. After blooming 

 they may be rested for a few weeks by giving less water, 

 but they should not lose all their leaves nor be allowed to 

 droop. In February they should be repotted, starting them 

 in moderate but moist warmth. 



