should have some protection from the sun during the hottest part of the 

 day. If placed out-of-doors, the entire pot should be plunged into the 

 soil rather than setting the plant directly in the ground. A shift to a 

 larger container in early fall will start abundant new growth which is 

 necessary to supply winter blossoms. Some growers prefer to start new- 

 slips or cuttings each year so the old plants can be thrown out after two- 

 years' growth. 



Gloxinia 

 Sinningia speciosa 



Although the gloxinia is closely related to the African violet, it is 

 less tolerant to high temperature and more difficult to grow in the home. 

 Many of the most successful growers of this lovely plant live in farm 

 homes with no centralized heating plant so they are able to grow- their 

 plants cooler. The gloxinia will not stand neglect even for a few days 

 without serious damage resulting to its crop of flowers. 



The gloxinia was studied in two different groups. Of 19 plants 

 distributed in one group and left in homes for periods up to 12 months 

 the results were as follows: 



Table III 



Number 



Per cent of total 



31J4 



21 



16 



31^ 



Of 12 plants distributed in another group nine failed. Since this 

 latter group was distributed in small pots and many of them failed within 

 a short time, regardless of care, the results are not included in the table. 



Fig. 19a (left) — A well-grown gloxinia seedling. Fig. 19b (right) — Thrips 

 injury or insufficient watering may cause flower buds to blast 



Thirty -nine 



