390 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



641. Codiaeums, botanical characters. Crotons are 

 somewhat woody plants, having variously lobed, highly 

 colored, thick leaves. The wide range of coloring in the 

 foliage makes them especially attractive. 



Habitat. Malay Peninsula. 



642. Commercial importance. Crotons make excel- 

 lent plants for window boxes, for vases and for outdoor 

 bedding. They are used quite extensively for the making 

 of fancy baskets for holiday trade. 



643. Propagation. Cuttings of half-ripened wood 

 may be easily rooted at any time from October to June, if*' 

 they are given a bottom heat of 80, They are sometimes 

 top-layered as described for propagating rubber plants. 



644. Culture. After crotons are potted, they should 

 not be allowed to become pot-bound. They like a rich, 

 sandy loam, and their foliage colors best when exposed to 

 full sunlight. Crotons require considerable heat, and the 

 night temperature should not go below 60. The atmos- 

 phere should be moist and the plants well syringed on 

 bright days. This will keep the red-spider in check. 



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