TUBEROUS BEGONIAS 25 



of growing a good strain, with massive blooms of a pleasing 

 range of colours. There are several such strains in the market, 

 and the grower must exercise his own discretion as to which 

 he grows, after having satisfied himself as to its particular 

 merits. 



TUBEROUS BEGONIAS 



The tuberous Begonia is easily and quickly raised from seed, 

 providing it has sufficient heat and moisture. Sown in January 

 or February, fine plants may be ready by the middle of May 

 in time for bedding out. Seedlings are more often used for 

 this purpose than for growing as pot plants, and they may be 

 relied on to come generally true to colour. This applies to both 

 singles and doubles, though the finest-named varieties for pots 

 are grown from cuttings. 



The seeds are very fine and, when sown, need no covering 

 beyond a sprinkling of silver sand. They should be sown in 

 small pans, using a generous but finely-sifted soil, not too heavy. 

 When the pan is filled with soil well pressed down and levelled, 

 it should be immersed in water and then allowed to drain. 

 Upon this the seeds are sown thinly and not watered again 

 until it appears to be dry say, a fortnight. Bottom heat is 

 essential to quick germination, and the minimum temperature 

 of the house should be 60. Cover the pans with glass and 

 exclude the light until the seeds have germinated, then imme- 

 diately remove the glass and admit light. Transplant into 

 similar soil as soon as they can be handled, still using bottom 

 heat, though when they are large enough for single pots that 

 may be dispensed with. They like a moist heat, not an arid 

 one. In April they should be gradually inured to cooler 

 conditions, and in May ought to be ready either for the cold 

 house or for frames, so that they might be hardened off before 

 being sold for bedders. The pots should be well crocked, as 

 drainage is important. The soil we have found very suitable 

 is one-half loam, chopped ; one-quarter old hot-bed manure ; 

 one-quarter leaf mould, sifted ; and a few handfuls of coarse 

 silver sand. Pot firmly, and do not water the plants overhead. 



