Stove and Greenhouse Plants and Flowers 163 



of the top, the soil being pressed down firmly and made level. The hard 

 grain-like seeds are then placed about 1 in. apart, and afterwards covered 

 with the fine sifted gritty compost, about J in. deep. Some growers make 

 up the seed pots first, and afterwards dibble the seeds in. In any case, 

 after sowing, the soil should be gently watered with a fine-rosed can, and 

 covered with a sheet of paper, piece of glass, or a little coconut fibre to 

 keep the surface cool and moist. 



When the seeds are sown in October and November the minimum night 

 temperature should not sink below 45 F., and the seed pots may be placed 

 in a cold frame for two or three weeks, after which they may be transferred 

 to a greenhouse having a night temperature of 55 F. The sowings in 

 January and February may be made in a temperature of 60 F. 



As germination takes place, and one young leaf after another makes its 

 appearance, the seed pots should be placed on shelves as near the light as 

 possible, and the coverings of glass or paper should be removed. Good 

 sturdy growth will thus be encouraged, and with careful and judicious 

 watering and sprinkling overhead the young plants will be fit for pricking 

 out in a few weeks. 



When the plants are large enough to handle easily, and the young 

 tubers begin to swell, that is the best time to transfer from the seed pots, 

 and give the seedlings more air, space, and light. Each little plant may 

 be placed by itself in a small pot 1 to 2 in. in diameter; or ten or twelve 

 may be pricked out into a 5-in. (48) pot. The compost should be rich, turfy 

 loam and leaf mould in equal proportions, with a fair sprinkling of coarse 

 silver sand, the whole being passed through a sieve with a -in. mesh. 



Care must be taken not to bury the seedlings too deeply in the soil in 

 case the young growths are crippled. It will be sufficient if the base of 

 the leaf stalks is flush with the surface of the soil. In a temperature of 

 65 to 70 F. the young plants grow freely, and make plenty of roots. When 

 first disturbed they must be shaded from strong sunshine, and care must be 

 given to watering and sprinkling overhead. 



As soon as the little pots are full of roots, or the plants are getting too 

 close together, they must be repotted. Each one is then placed in a 3-in. 

 or 3J-in. pot, using a similar compost as described. In due course, with 

 proper attention to shading, watering, sprinkling, and ventilation, these 

 pots become full of roots, and the plants will then be ready for the final 

 potting. Most of them will be fit for 5-in. pots (or 48's), but some of the 

 larger and more sturdy specimens may be placed in 6-in. pots (32's). 



This final potting will take place from June to August and September, 

 according to the development of the plants, and as they are desired to bloom 

 in succession. The soil to be used should be the same as before, namely, 

 rich, turfy loarn and well-decayed leaf mould in equal proportions, with 

 somewhat less silver sand. A little well-rotted cow manure may also be 

 added on this occasion, and if the heap of compost has some basic slag 

 sprinkled over it and well mixed in, it will produce excellent results, as it 

 contains lime and phosphates, both valuable and slow-acting Cyclamen foods. 



