2528 



PELARGONIUM 



PELARGONIUM 



been propagated either in the latter part of August or 

 the forepart of September, and that have shown a dis- 

 position to take hold immediately, both in rooting and 

 in starting to grow after being potted. The soil should 

 not be too rich, and it is best to start with the plant in a 

 rather small pot, say 2% inches, and proceed onward 

 with light shifts, that is, shifting the plant from a 

 2^-uich to a 33^-inch pot, and so on, letting the sizes 

 increase an inch at each shift until a 7-, 8-, or 9-inch 

 pot is reached, which will 

 usually be large enough 

 to flower the finest speci- 

 mens. Whenever shifting 

 the geranium, be sure to 

 pot firmly, as a firm soil 

 produces a short-jointed 

 stocky growth, and far 

 more bloom than a loose 

 or over-rich soil. When 

 the plants reach a 5- or 

 6-inch pot they may be 

 regularly fed with manure- 

 water. The most critical 

 tune for these specimen 

 geraniums will be in the months 

 of July, August, and September; 

 in these periods exposure to in- 

 tense sunshine should be avoided. 

 Too much water and a close tem- 

 perature are always detrimental 

 to the geranium. Syringing the foli- 

 age frequently to keep down the tem- 

 perature is also injurious. If these 

 plants are kept under glass, a light 

 shading or stripping upon the glass 

 is beneficial. Probably the best posi- 

 tion for such plants in these three 

 extreme months is on the north side 

 of a row of trees, some distance away 

 from the trees, where the plants will 

 have the benefit of the subdued shad- 

 ing of the foliage. If kept under glass and 

 shaded, abundant ventilation should always 

 be provided. As the winter approaches, 

 a night temperature of 60 and day tem- 

 perature of 70 to 75, with plenty of 

 ventilation in the daytime, especially in 

 bright weather, seem best to suit the 

 plants. Syringing rums the flowers, and 

 too much moisture either in the pot or 

 upon the foliage causes the spotting of the 

 leaves known as "dropsy." In planting 

 the geranium in the field or in beds, always 

 avoid an over-rich soil. The earth should 

 be in good condition and fertile, but must 

 not be loaded with either chemical or animal 

 fertilizer. Too much water at any period 

 during the hot weather produces a rank 

 growth, reduces the quantity of bloom and 

 in most instances induces the spotted foliage 

 to appear. 



Another disease, which is sometimes seri- 

 ous, especially in extremely hot seasons 

 accompanied with a superabundance of moist- 

 ure, is "stem-rot." This frequently attacks 

 imported stock. It is most serious in intensely 

 hot seasons; the entire plant turns black 

 and fades and withers away. The stem-rot 

 occurs in varieties that have been very heavily 

 propagated. 



The insects that affect the geranium are also 

 comparatively few. The red-spider is some- 

 times a serious pest in summer and is difficult 

 to get rid of when it is once well established. 

 The only method is to syringe the plants with 

 an extremely fine spray, and also to pick off 



the leaves that are seriously affected and burn them. 

 The green-fly is also troublesome at tunes, but is 

 easily managed with the ordinary fumigation of 

 tobacco. There is a small caterpillar that eats the foliage 

 and sometimes proves a serious pest. If one can induce 

 a few ground sparrows or any of the warblers, or even 

 English sparrows, to make their home about the green- 

 house, they will put a speedy end to these caterpillars. 

 Another remedy is to go over the plants carefully and 

 to pick the caterpillars off and destroy them. This is 

 tedious, as it must be done frequently. 



In the way of bedding geraniums, as a rule the 

 Bruant section produces the best results, but there are a 

 number of English and French varieties that do espe- 

 cially well in our hot climate. The greatest difficulty 

 in successful geranium-culture in America is the intense 

 heat of the summer months, chiefly July and August. 

 Some varieties withstand the heat better than others. 



Show pelargoniums. (T. D. Hatfield.) 



What are known as show pelargoniums have 

 enjoyed a long popularity. By the general 

 public, and by old people especially, they are 

 known as Lady Washington geraniums. They 

 are not so commonly grown as the so-called 

 geraniums, chiefly on account of their limited 

 season of bloom and the fact that they cannot 

 endure our hot midsummer suns. Through the 

 greater part of the summer they are liable 

 to be neglected. They also require differ- 

 ent treatment from geraniums, and if 

 skill there be more skill in cultivation. 

 At the end of the blooming season, 

 they require rest, a season of ripening 

 the growth already made. At this time 

 very little water will be needed, and they 

 may be stood out in the full sun. Only 

 the old flower-stems may be removed. 

 In no sense should they be cut back at 

 this tune, neither should water 

 enough be given to encourage new 

 growth. All the leaves should stay 

 on until they naturally turn yellow 

 with age, thus securing a thoroughly 

 ripened growth. In September, one 

 may prune them into shape, some- 

 times rather severely, but in any 

 case cut out all weak and soft 

 shoots. They should then be shaken 

 out and repotted in a light compost, 

 not rich, into the smallest-sized pots 

 that will hold them, for the process 

 of growing them on has to be gone 

 over every season. After 

 potting, a good soaking will 

 be necessary, and they may 

 be placed in a well-lighted 

 coldframe. There is no need 

 to keep them close; the 

 stimulation of water, and 

 the slight protection of a 

 frame are usually enough to 

 start them into new growth. 

 No forcing will ever be 

 needed at any season, and 

 if the grower wished, he 

 might keep them in a cold- 

 frame until very late in the 

 season, so long as adequate 

 protection against frost is 

 afforded. They are at their 

 best in May, and to have 

 them hi good condition, 



2840. Leaves of various fancy-leaved one may grow them slowly 

 geraniums. Hortorums (X}^). No. 13. in a house averaging about 



