434 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



The variety known as Azalea mollis, unlike A. indica, is de- 

 ciduous that is to say, it sheds its leaves after flowering. It is 

 quite hardy and may therefore be grown with success in a cold 

 greenhouse. After the plant has bloomed it should be repotted 

 in a pot slightly larger than that it has occupied previously, be 

 well watered in, and be allowed to remain in the greenhouse until 

 new flower-buds have formed. When the buds have become 

 firm and plump the plant should be placed out of doors in a 

 sunny position to mature. It may remain exposed until the 

 beginning of November, when it should be removed to a cold 

 greenhouse where in spring it witT flower freely. If earlier 

 blooming is desired Azalea mollis can be forced in a gen lie 

 heat. Some excellent varieties are Consul Pecher (pink), Hugo 

 Koster (salmon), Frere Orban (cream) and Charles Darwin 

 (red). 



BEGONIA (tuberous). See Chapter XXXII. 



BULBS FOR FORCING. See Chapter XXXI. 



CALCEOLARIA (herbaceous). This handsome plant, which must 

 not be confounded with the more common shrubby calceolaria 

 used so extensively for bedding purposes, is grown from seed. 

 This can be sown under glass any time from the beginning of May 

 to the middle of July. The soil should be rich, firm, and, above all, 

 porous. The seed is as fine as snuff, and even distribution may 

 be secured by mixing it with a small quantity of fine sand. Spread 

 it thinly over the surface of the soil in the pot or pan, and sift over 

 it a mere dusting of fine earth. 



In about ten days the seed will be through, and if watering is 

 necessary this should not be done from above by the aid of a 

 watering-can, but by partly submerging the pot in a pail of tepid 

 water. 



Pricking off should not be delayed beyond the appearance of the 

 second leaf. The seedlings will still be very tiny, but delay may 

 lie fatal. Pay careful attention to shading, and do not on any 

 account allow extremes of temperature. Generous treatment in 

 the matter of potting and feeding with liquid manure when the 

 plants are in vigorous growth will help to produce the wonderful 



