CALCEOLARIAS (SHRUBBY) 41 



CALCEOLARIAS (SHRUBBY) 



This well-known bedding plant is one of the indispensables. 

 There are two distinct colours in several varieties, the bright 

 yellow and the crimson bronze. The yellow is in greatest demand 

 because it contrasts so brilliantly with the reds of the 

 Geranium and the blue of the I/obelia, a conventional but 

 popular combination. Thus, for every bronze Calceolaria 

 propagated there are probably six or eight yellows. Directly 

 the autumnal frosts threaten, the cuttings should be taken. 

 If the plants have done well there should be at least a score of 

 good cuttings on every one. They are made from the young top 

 growths and generally from 2 to 3 inches in length. Cut imme- 

 diately below a joint and remove the bottom pair of leaves, 

 not breaking them off, but cutting with a sharp knife. In the 

 longer cuttings remove two pairs of leaves. The bed should 

 be made for them as recommended for the Arabis, and should 

 be firmed by treading once over it. A rather more plentiful 

 supply of silver sand is advisable, for it is astonishing how the 

 very peculiar roots of the Calceolaria revel in sand. 



For some time the frames should be kept close and water 

 supplied to the cuttings very sparingly, only sufficient to prevent 

 their flagging. Though the nights will be growing cold, the 

 warm October sunshine will necessitate shading. When sharp 

 frosts come the frames must be well matted, as it is essential 

 that the frost should be excluded as much as possible. When 

 the cuttings have rooted, a degree or two of frost does not hurt 

 them, but it must not be too severe . Watch them well throughout 

 the winter, watering them whenever a favourable opportunity 

 occurs, and on like occasions give a change of air, increasing 

 this when February brings the promise of spring. 



In March growth will begin, and if the cuttings are too crowded 

 they will grow weakly and spindly. They should therefore be 

 carefully lifted, part of them potted into 6o's, part boxed, and 

 the other part replanted 3 inches apart . But this may be modified 

 according to the trade they are intended for. When grown 

 for " the trade " they should be sold at this stage without 

 transplanting at all. The local trade will take the potted plants, 

 the open market the boxed plants, and those transplanted into 



