POTTED FLOWERING PLANTS 341 



pleasing for the home, especially for piazza, and lawn 

 decoration. With the introduction of the newer French 

 hybrids, this group of plants has increased in popularity. 

 Among them are Madame Maurice Hamar, Avalanche 

 and Dentelle. A recent introduction of Hydrangea 

 Sargentiana from the mountains of Central China seems 

 promising as a cool greenhouse plant. 



519. Propagation. Cuttings may be taken at any 

 season of the year, but if they have a few degrees of 

 bottom heat, roots will form more quickly. If cuttings 

 are taken in January or February, they will make good 

 sized plants for the next season's bloom. As soon as the 

 cuttings are rooted, they should be potted in small pots. 

 Hydrangeas should not be allowed to become pot-bound 

 during their growing season, for then they lose their lower 

 leaves and become unsightly. 



520. Culture. Plants intended for Easter bloom 

 should be brought into the house early in January, and 

 cleaned of their old foliage. They should be started in a 

 temperature of about 45. In about two weeks, the 

 temperature may be raised ten degrees. The plants should 

 be syringed frequently so there will be a uniform develop- 

 ment of buds over the entire plant. They may be brought 

 into flower at a temperature of 65. They should be in 

 full bloom ten or twelve days before Easter, and then re- 

 moved to a temperature of 50 or 55 to harden the 

 blooms and to increase their keeping qualities. All plants 

 left over from spring sales, and those propagated early in 

 the year, should be planted out of doors by the middle of 

 June. They should be given a rich soil, full sunlight and 

 plenty of water, that a rapid, strong growth may be 

 encouraged. Compact, shapely specimen plants are ob- 

 tained by a judicious pinching back of fast-growing 



