POTTED FLOWERING PLANTS 325 



The flowers are large, bell-shaped or trumpet-shaped, 

 with rich, brilliant colorations. 

 Habitat. Brazil. 



488. Commercial value. Gloxinias are desirable for 

 early spring and summer flowering. They are sold in con- 

 siderable numbers as potted plants. 



489. Propagation. Gloxinias are propagated by seed 

 or by cuttings made from leaves or stems. The seeds 

 usually give the best results unless it is desired to maintain 

 a strain which is unusually choice. The mature, medium- 

 sized leaves are selected, and a small portion of the leaf- 

 stalk is left attached to the blade of the leaf. They are 

 inserted in an ordinary propagating bench where they will 

 soon root and form tubers. The plants are then potted and 

 kept growing until sufficiently mature to produce blooms. 



Seeds should be sown early in February in a mixture 

 of finely sifted leaf-mold, sand and fibrous loam. They 

 are better propagated in pans or shallow boxes, and kept 

 in a temperature of 65 to 70. 



490. Culture. The seedlings should begin to appear 

 in about ten days, and then much attention should be 

 given to watering and ventilation, to prevent the common 

 attacks of the damping-off fungus. As soon as the seed- 

 lings can be conveniently handled, they are potted in thumb 

 pots. The soil should consist of two parts leaf-mold and 

 one part fibrous loam. The plants should be well shaded 

 from sunlight, and ventilated with great care, but never 

 chilled. During growth, they require a night temperature 

 of about 60. The seedlings should begin to flower in 

 August, and should then be given an airy house with par- 

 tial shade. When the season of bloom is completed, and 

 the leaves mature, water should be gradually withheld. 



The pots may be placed on their sides underneath the 



