324 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



SCHIZANTHUS OR POOR MAN S ORCHID 



483. Botanical classification. Order, Solanaceae ; genus 

 Schizanthus (Greek split and flower) ; species, pinnatus. 



484. Botanical characters. The schizanthus is an 

 annual plant with finely-cut foliage, and terminal, open 

 clusters of many small, daintily-colored flowers (Fig. 36). 

 They are excellent for cutting. The flower clusters are 

 produced in great numbers. It is an excellent species for 

 garden flowers, for window boxes, and for conservatory 

 plants, because of its light and airy character. 



Habitat. Chile. 



485. Culture. The seeds germinate easily, grow rap- 

 idly, and come into bloom quickly. They may be sown 

 in the ground in May, or the plants may be started in the 

 greenhouses in April. This gives a longer period of bloom. 

 They are of great value in conservatories as an early spring- 

 flowering annual. The seed is sown in September, and the 

 plants pricked off into flats, to get good, stocky plants. 

 They should be kept in a temperature from 45 to 50 at 

 night. The soil need not be especially rich ; a fine, fibrous 

 loam, enriched with one-third well-rotted cow manure is 

 good. Attacks from red-spiders may be kept in check 

 by frequent sprayings. A new variety of this flower, the 

 Bridal Veil, is very popular. 



GLOXINIAS 



486. Botanical classification. Order, Gesneracese ; 

 genus, Sinningia (after Wilhelm Sinning, gardener at the 

 University of Bonn) ; species, speciosa. 



487. Botanical characters. Herbaceous plants with 

 tuberous rhizomes. The foliage is densely pubescent. 



