1168 



EUPHORBIA 



EUPHORBIA 



leaves fall. The shrubby species, like E. atropurpurea 

 and E. dendroides, do well with the treatment of the 

 more fleshy kinds. See D. A. W. and F. S. Curtis, in 

 Sharon Cactus Guide, March and May, 1897. 



The few hardy species of ornamental value make 

 good border plants or are suitable for the rockery. E. 

 epithymoides usually known in gardens as E. polychroma, 

 is one of the best herbaceous perennials, forming a 

 hemispherical clump with beautiful yellow foliage of 

 different shades when in bloom. E. palustris and 

 related species are similar but erect and not compact. 



The succulent species can nearly all be propagated by 

 cuttings. These are taken best in early summer, allowed 

 to dry somewhat and then planted in sand, charcoal 

 or a mixture of these. Coal-ashes are used effectively 

 by some. When seeds can be procured, they may be 

 used in propagation. Grafting, as is sometimes prac- 

 tised with cacti, is possible. Potting soil need not be 

 rich. A coarse sandy loam, or, some say, any kind of 

 soil will do. 



E. pulcherrima and E. fulgens are good winter-flower- 

 ing greenhouse plants, and require special treatment. 

 E. fulgens succeeds well in the warmest parts of the 

 house, in pots, or best planted out like roses and trained 

 upon the wall or strings. It is propagated from cut- 

 tings taken in June, when the old plants have started to 

 grow, kept in a warm frame until rooted, and then kept 

 growing with heat, any transfers being made with as 

 little root disturbance as possible. If stocky show plants 

 are wanted, several cuttings may be planted in one pot 

 and checked two or three times during summer by 

 repotting, and kept pinched back freely to secure 

 branches. They are best kept cooler when in flower, 

 but are very sensitive to cold or sudden changes in 

 temperature. After flowering they are kept dry for a 

 few months. For the cut sprays they are best grown 

 from cuttings each year. They last very well when cut. 



1438. Euphorbia marginata ( X l /$) . No. 1 



The culture of the poinsettia is very similar. e To 

 secure plants with large heads, the general plan is to 

 grow from cuttings annually, but the old plants may 

 be continued. Old plants that have been resting may 

 be introduced to heat and moisture in late spring, and 

 will soon give a liberal supply of cuttings, which are 



usually taken from the young wood. Successive sets 

 of cuttings may be made at later periods if different- 

 sized plants are wanted. When well started, the potted 

 plants are plunged outdoors till September, with plenty 

 of water, light and sunshine and good drainage. They 

 do well in rich heavy loam in 5-7-inch pots. They are 

 liable to drop 

 their leaves if 

 exposed to cold 

 or other un- 

 favorable condi- 

 tions. In au- 

 tumn they are 

 transferred tc 

 the greenhouse, 

 with moderate 

 temperature. 

 When the bracts 

 begin to appear, give more 

 heat and some manure 

 water to expand them. 

 When in flower, reduce the 

 temperature to preserve 

 them longer. After flower- 

 ing the pots may be stowed 

 away in a dry warm place 

 till spring, under the 

 benches will do. When the 

 buds are cut the great ob- 

 jection is that they wilt 

 easily. This may be ob- 

 viated by keeping them in 

 water for a few days before 

 using. See Grieve, G.C. 

 III. 9:106, and Hatfield in Garden and Forest 9:496. 

 See article Poinsettia for further treatment. 



Euphorbia splendens is another winter bloomer, and 

 may be treated as the succulents, with more heat and 

 water. It will do well in living-rooms, and bears some 

 flowers all the year. It bears rough treatment well, and 

 is propagated by cuttings from the young growth, 

 which root with the greatest ease. 



In tropical and subtropical regions many of the tree- 

 like or succulent euphorbias make fine outdoor orna- 

 mentals. The poinsettia is a magnificent landscape 

 ornament in California, West Indies and so on. In 

 Southern California the poinsettia is propagated by 

 sticking canes 3 feet long in the ground from April on, 

 these growing and blooming, often profusely, the first 

 season. In the West Indies and Florida, some of the 

 thorny tree-like forms, especially E. lactea, are grown 

 as hedges, their thick, erect thorny branches making 

 an almost impenetrable barrier. This and other species 

 are grown also as specimen plants. See Succulents. 



INDEX. 



1439. Euphorbia 

 fulgens (XM;- No. 5. 



