Geranium Gesnera Gladiolus 



February, but heat will not be necessary at all unless it is desired to 

 bring the plants into flower early in the ensuing summer. We have 

 been accustomed to place the seed-pans on a sunny shelf in a cool 

 greenhouse, and have fine plants by the end of June, many of which 

 begin to flower in August. 



GESNERA 



Tender perennial 



AN extremely beautiful stove or conservatory plant. The new hybrids 

 freely produce spikes of bright pendulous flowers of many charming 

 colours. Although the Gesnera is a perennial, it is sound practice to 

 treat the plant as an annual. Seedlings from a January sowing will 

 commence flowering in about nine months. Very rich soil, a warm 

 and even temperature, and plenty of water, are requisite to promote 

 luxuriant growth. The culture advised for Gloxinias will exactly suit 

 the Gesnera also. 



GLADIOLUS 



Corn Flag. Half-hardy perennial 



FORMERLY the Gladiolus was seldom raised from seed, probably 

 because the seed obtainable was not worth sowing. Now it is saved 

 with so much care that it will give a splendid display of flowers, a 

 large proportion of which will be equal to named sorts, and some 

 may show a decided advance. 



The use of large pots the 32-size will answer is advantageous 

 for many reasons, and they should either be new or scrupulously 

 clean, for they will have to remain unchanged for many months, so 

 that a fair start is the more necessary. For the same reason special 

 care should be taken to insure free drainage. Over the usual crocks 

 place a layer of dry moss, and fill with a compost of fibrous loam and 

 leaf-mould in equal parts, with sufficient sharp sand added to make 

 it thoroughly porous. Press the soil firmly into the pots, making 

 the surface quite even, and in February dibble the seeds separately 

 about an inch apart, and half an inch deep. This will render it 

 needless to disturb the seedlings during the first season. Put 

 the seed-pots in a steady temperature not exceeding 65 or 70. 

 After watering, it will help to retain the moisture if the top of 

 each pot is covered with a layer of old moss, until the plants 



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