THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 



Greenhouse continued. 



small trees of an ornamental character, well adapted 

 for intermixing in Greenhouses as permanent decorative 

 subjects, and a large proportion may be cultivated in 

 comparatively small pots. When any require larger sizes, 

 they should be shifted in spring or early autumn, and, 

 if possible, kept a little closer for a few days after- 

 wards. Examples of hard-wooded flowering plants are: 

 Acacia, Azalea, Boronia, Camellia, Epacris, Erica, and 

 Pimelia. 



Soft-wooded Section. This includes all that have stems 

 and leaves of a more or less sappy growth, and are mostly 

 propagated from cuttings in that state, or from seeds. 

 A large number of florists' flowers are included in this 

 section, and, as many of them are growing throughout 

 the winter months, a position where all possible light is 

 obtainable, should be allotted them. Many soft-wooded 

 subjects are easily cultivated ; but they are very sensitive 

 to improper treatment, such as allowing too close an 

 atmosphere, or too much heat or shade. A number of 

 beautiful Greenhouse plants are annually raised from 

 seed, and good strains or selections of such varieties as 

 Calceolarias, Celosias, Cinerarias, Mignonette, Primulas, 

 Ehodanthes, &c., should be secured. These should be sown 

 at different periods, in order to prolong the flowering 

 season. Immunity from insects, and a continued growth 

 without check, are important conditions in the successful 

 cultivation of all. Other plants of a soft-wooded nature, 

 but which become somewhat hard with age, are either 

 propagated each year, or, in some cases, treated as peren- 

 nials. Examples of these are: Chrysanthemums, Eupa- 

 toriums, Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, and Salvias. A selection 

 from each is indispensable for Greenhouse decoration, and 

 all are easily cultivated where space admits. An open 

 and somewhat rich soil is a general requirement, and 

 plenty of air and water in summer, after the plants are 

 become established. Lilies of the Valley, Solomon's Seal, 

 Deutzia gradlis, Dicentra spectabilis, &c., are amongst 

 the most attractive and useful subjects for forcing. 



Greenhouse Bulbous Plants. Amongst these, a great 

 diversity and selection are available for cultivation, and 

 numerous beautiful plants are included. Apart from the 

 value of Dutch bulbs for forcing and spring decoration, 

 nearly all the various species from the Cape succeed under 

 Greenhouse treatment, and are highly ornamental when in 

 flower. The majority may be grown in a sandy soil, and 

 in comparatively small pots. Most Cape bulbs should be 

 encouraged to make their growth in a moderately warm 

 house or pit, and then be allowed a season of rest in a 

 cooler place before flowering. In addition to Hyacinths, 

 Tulips, &c., the following are amongst the best of Green- 

 house plants generally termed " bulbous," but some of them 

 are in reality not so : Babianas, Begonias (of the tuberous 

 section) , several Crinums, Cyclamens, Preesias, Gladioli, 

 Ixias, Lachenalias, Liliums, Narcissi, Nerines, Ac. The 

 foregoing, with many others, are well adapted for pot 

 culture, and well repay for any special attention devoted 

 to them. 



Arrangement of Flowering Plants, $c. In Greenhouses 

 retained more for the exhibition of plants than for their 

 cultivation, a method of arrangement should be adopted 

 by which the whole may be rendered attractive, and, at the 

 same time, sufficient space allowed each plant to enable 

 it to be properly seen. In span-roof houses, there are 

 usually side stages, and, if large enough, a central one, 

 or otherwise a bed, nearly level with the floor, forms the 

 centre. The latter position, in either case, should be 

 devoted to the taller-growing plants and evergreen 

 shrubs, interspersed with a few in flower, according to 

 the stock at command. Formal arrangement should 

 specially be avoided, the flowering subjects being evenly 

 dispersed throughout, And, so far as practicable, plenty 

 of plants with green foliage intermixed. Araucarias, 

 Cordylines, Cyperus, Ferns, &c., are especially useful 



Greenhouse continued. 



for the purpose. Small groups of dwarf plants are 

 frequently more effective than when the same are dis- 

 tributed as single specimens. The side stages should 

 be about 3ft. above the ground, and, if any of the 

 plants are very dwarf, they should be raised on pots or 

 suspended from the roof. 



Climbers and Pillar Plants. These are important and 

 attractive additions to Greenhouse embellishment. Many 

 are, however, rather unusually susceptible to the attacks 

 of insects, and, if the latter are allowed a footing, con- 

 siderable injury is caused to plants underneath. If taken 

 down from the wires each winter, thoroughly washed, 

 and occasionally examined and sponged afterwards during 

 summer, the majority of climbers may be kept tolerably 

 clean ; but, if this is neglected, the plants soon become 

 an eyesore, and fail to succeed. Climbers should be 

 planted out so soon as they are large enough to establish 

 themselves, but good specimens should first be prepared in 

 pots. They have, of necessity, to be placed near the side 

 walls, and, as the hot-water pipes are often there, suit- 

 able provision is rarely made for roof-covering plants. If 

 such is the case, they can hardly be expected to grow 

 and flower well. An open compost of sandy peat and 

 loam is best, and any special soil may be placed round 

 particular plants requiring it. Copious supplies of water 

 are necessary in summer, but only a little should be 

 applied during the resting period of winter. One or 

 two wires fixed near each rafter, and the plants limited 

 to covering them separately, is the best arrangement, 

 as exclusion of light from plants underneath must be 

 avoided. Fuchsias are amongst the best of subjects, 

 either for pillars or rafters. Tea and Noisette Eoses 

 should always be included, and a light position selected 

 for them. Bougainvillea glabra, Cestrums, Kennedyas, 

 Passifloras, Swainsonas, and Tacsonias, amongst many 

 others, may be planted where there is space for them to 

 develop. 



Airing and Temperatures. A confined, close atmo- 

 sphere should always be avoided in a Greenhouse devoted 

 to the general cultivation of plants. Cold draughts and 

 improper airing are equally to be condemned. When 

 proper means of ventilation are provided in span-roofed 

 houses, air may be admitted on the opposite side to that 

 from which the wind blows. In pits, or houses of other 

 shapes, the admission of air is an important matter that 

 can only be practised properly after experience is gained. 

 Young and tender growths are frequently much injured 

 through injudicious airing in spring. During warm summer 

 weather, too much can scarcely be given to plants in 

 flower, but with those making their growth its admission 

 should be carefully regulated. A little ventilation at the 

 apex, especially if the house is closely glazed, is advisable 

 whenever the weather is mild. All Greenhouse shrubs 

 permanently employed, and the majority of spring and 

 summer-flowering subjects, should be allowed to rest 

 during winter, by keeping a rather low temperature and 

 a dry atmosphere. A temperature ranging from 45deg. 

 to 50deg. should be a maximum, and lOdeg. less will 

 do no injury. In summer, fire heat should be withheld, 

 and the house kept as cool as possible, for preserving the 

 flowers. 



Watering. Although a large proportion of cool-house 

 plants require plenty of water, its application indis- 

 criminately would end in destruction with many others. 

 As a rule, those having the finest roots require the 

 least amount of moisture, and as these are invariably 

 hard - wooded, careful watering becomes one of their 

 special requirements. Rules for watering plants are fre- 

 quently given, but the knowledge can only be properly 

 obtained by experience. Soft - wooded plants require a 

 much larger amount, as their sappy growths are rarely 

 at rest, and the roots should never be allowed to get 

 too dry. 



