IMPORTANT FLORISTS' PLANTS 



149 



Adiantums, especially A. Farley ense and A. Croweanum, which pro- 

 duce no spores, are frequently propagated by division early in the year; 

 the plants are removed from the pots and the mass of rhizomes is 

 broken apart even down to one or two eyes. The small pieces are 

 placed in sphagnum moss at a temperature of 65 degrees in a confined 

 atmosphere to produce roots. Later they are potted into thumb 

 pots. The large plant may merely be cut in two or three clumps, but 

 the method mentioned will give a great increase of stock which will 

 soon attain good size. It is advisable to remove a quantity of the old 

 soil and the dead and dried rhizomes. 



Propagation by runners. One of the commonest methods of prop- 

 agating the Boston Fern allies is by runners. Long string-like growths 

 occur on all sides of the main crown. Boston Ferns intended for sale 

 may be placed in the empty greenhouse benches early in Summer. 

 With a little care the Ferns will be surrounded by young plants which 

 grow quickly. In August many of these plants may be potted for 

 Autumn sales. Gut back the fronds to four or five inches in potting. 

 It is best not to carry over the stock plants for more than a year. 



Fig. 83. Asplenium. Certain of the fronds may be noted in the cut which show the 



development of small plantlets on the fronds. Note especially the lower fronds 



of the plant. (See page 150) 



