POTTED FLOWERING PLANTS 333 



root better in a case where they have a rather confined 

 atmosphere, than in a drier propagating bed. 



500. Culture. As soon as the cuttings are well rooted, 

 they are potted in a light, porous, sifted soil, composed 

 of loam and leaf-mold in equal parts. They should be 

 kept in a low house, and in a moist atmosphere. In the 

 second potting, they should be given a soil composed of 

 one-fourth well-rotted stable manure, and three-fourths 

 loam. 



In watering, always avoid wetting the leaf, and as soon 

 as the plants are in five- or six-inch pots, they should be 

 put in a partially shaded house and given abundant 

 ventilation, both day and night. The Rex begonias are 

 more exacting than most other species. 



501. The flowering or fibrous-rooted begonias. Fi- 

 brous-rooted begonias are in considerable demand as 

 potted plants. Young plants, well grown, have very at- 

 tractive foliage and flowering characters. When poorly 

 grown they are spindling and destitute of foliage. 



Habitat. Mostly from tropical and sub-tropical 

 America. 



502. Propagation. The fibrous-rooted begonias are 

 usually propagated from stem cuttings. They may be 

 taken at any season of the year, but the cuttings will root 

 more readily if placed in the sand during March or April. 

 The plants will then be large enough for sale the following 

 winter. It is better to have the cuttings in a propagating 

 case, so that they will not be injured by sudden changes 

 of temperature. They root best in a temperature of 55 

 to 60. 



503. Culture. When the cuttings are rooted, they 

 should be potted in ordinary garden loam in which there 

 is little decayed organic matter. Later, the plants may be 



