CULTURE OF THE BOUVARDIA. 171 



BOUVAKDIAS. 



Bouvardias are grown in immense quantities, occupying 

 an area nearly as large as that of the monthly Carnations 

 in our green-houses. They are mainly propagated by 

 pieces of the roots (see Propagation) in April, and when 

 these have thrown up a growth of 2 or 3 inches they are 

 potted in two-inch pots and planted out in the open 

 ground at a distance of 9 or 10 inches apart, in the latter 

 part of May. Some of the varieties, such as Hendersonii 

 and Wilsonii, being " sports," that is, what Darwin calls 

 "bud variations," seem to have the variation hi the shoots 

 and flowers only, and not extending to the roots ; hence in 

 the case of Hendersonii, which is a sport from the Car- 

 mine variety Hogarth, but with almost white flowers, if 

 we propagate it from pieces of the root the flowers will be 

 of the carmine color of the original Hogarth. 



In such cases, to perpetuate these rare and valuable va- 

 rieties, recourse must be had to propagation by cuttings, 

 which is best done, however, from June to September, as 

 the Bouvardia, being a hot-house plant, grows and de- 

 velops roots most freely in a high temperature. The plants 

 that have been put out in the open ground in May will 

 have grown to a fine, bushy form by September 1st, if due 

 attention has been given to nipping off the tops every two 

 weeks during summer. By this date they should be taken 

 up and potted ; if possible, they should be lifted with balls 

 of earth adhering to the roots, as they wilt very easily, 

 and the plants require great care in lifting. In any 

 case, it is necessary to shade and freely water for six or 

 seven days before exposing them to full sun. They had 

 better be stood in the open ground or in a cold frame, after 

 being potted, rather than put in a green-house, as it is very 

 necessary that they be fully exposed to light and air for 

 as long a time as possible, before placing them in their 

 winter quarters in the green-house. They should be put 



