POTTED FLOWERING PLANTS 353 



wise, they will become too tall to be attractive for the 

 holiday sale. Poinsettias which are to be used for 

 cut-flowers should have the ends of the stems cauterized 

 by dipping them in hot water for a moment before they 

 are put into cold water. Often the ends of the stems are 

 dipped in melted wax to prevent bleeding, but this inter- 

 feres with the absorption of water, and the plants do not 

 have the keeping qualities which they have if hot water 

 is used. 



After they are cut, they should be kept in a temperature 

 of 45 to 48 for twelve or eighteen hours before they are 

 put on the market. 



GARDENIAS 



543. Botanical classification. Order, Rubiaceae ; 

 genus, Gardenia (after Alexander Garden, M.D., of 

 Charleston, S.C.) ; species, jasminoides. 



544. Botanical characters. Gardenias are shrub-like 

 plants with dark green, evergreen foliage and large, waxy 

 white, fragrant flowers. 



Habitat. China. 



545. Commercial importance. Gardenias were among 

 the earliest cut-flowers grown under glass in America. 

 For many years they were in demand, but with the in- 

 troduction of roses and carnations, they became less popu- 

 lar. Within recent years, however, they have again come 

 into public favor, and are now grown extensively in pots 

 and in beds for winter flowering. 



546. Propagation. Gardenias are propagated by cut- 

 tings taken in December and January. They should be 

 given a bottom heat of not less than 75, and the atmos- 

 phere kept close, until they have calloused, when they 

 may be given more air. 



2A 



