PETUNIA 253 



PETUNIA 



Half-hardy perennial 



THE Petunia affords another example of the immense strides accom- 

 plished in the art of seed saving. Not many years ago the colours 

 were few, and the blossoms comparatively insignificant. Now the 

 single strains produce large flowers, varied in colour and beautiful 

 in form. There are striped, blotched, veined, and selfs (or whole 

 colours) in almost endless diversity. Some are plain-edged, others 

 elegantly fringed. The double varieties also come so nearly true to 

 their types, that there is little necessity for keeping a stock through 

 the winter. Plants raised from seed of the grandiflora strain embrace 

 a wide range of resplendent colours, and the doubles are perfect 

 rosettes, exquisitely finished in form and marking. 



There is only one possible way of obtaining double seedlings, and 

 it is from seed saved from the finest single blooms which have been 

 fertilised with pollen of good double flowers. Plants raised from 

 such seed may be relied on to produce from twenty to forty per cent, 

 of double flowers of great beauty, and those which come single will be 

 of the large-flowered type. 



The dwarf varieties attain the height of five or six inches only, 

 and make admirable edging and bedding plants. The taller strains 

 reach two feet, and are handsome subjects for border and shrubbery 

 work. Both dwarf and tall sections are sufficiently brilliant and free- 

 flowering to produce a beautiful display as pot plants in the green- 

 house and conservatory. 



For indoor decoration, the third week in January will be early 

 enough to commence operations. Two parts of leaf-mould, one of 

 loam, and one of sharp sand, make an excellent soil for them. Fill 

 the pots or seed-pans within half an inch of the rim, and press the 

 soil firmly down. Sow thinly on an even surface, and cover the seed 

 with almost pure sand. Keep the pots or pans uniformly moist with 

 a fine rose and a light hand, and in a temperature of about 60. 

 Greater heat will render the seedlings weak and straggling. From 

 this condition it will take some skill and much time to redeem them ; 

 indeed, they may not produce a good display of flowers until the 

 season is well-nigh over. Just as the seed is germinating is a critical 

 time for Petunias, and a little extra watchfulness then will be fully 

 repaid. 



