Begonia 



( 114) 



Begonia 



bed. When roots are being freely emitted, pot 

 up the tubers intended for conservatory decoration 

 or exhibition, and put those intended for bedding 

 into pots, boxes, or a bed of soil in a warm pit, 

 according to circumstances and convenience. The 

 latter system is a good one, as air can be 

 'readily admitted and the hardening-off process 

 conducted with ease; plants so grown can be 

 lifted and planted out at the end of May or early 

 in Juno, according to locality. If kept in small 



loam, leaf soil, dried cow manure, and sand, form 

 an excellent compost. 



Other Cultural Points. In (lie case of pot 

 plants it will early become necessary to place 

 these near the glass, to prevent attenuated growth 

 and flimsy foliage, which are the forerunners of 

 poor flowers. Give more root room as this is 

 needed, and pot moderately firmly. When rstab- 

 lished in their flowering pots, frequent applications 

 of liquid manure will be needed to maintain 



I'hoto: CaseeU & Company, Ltd. 



NEW WHITE WINTER-FLOWERING BEGONIA MOONLIGHT. 



pots till June there is a danger of the plants 

 suffering from drought and also lack of food. 



Propagation. By far the quickest way to raise 

 or increase stock is by means of seeds sown on 

 light soil in a propagating house. Instructions for 

 raising seedlings are given in the sections devoted 

 to Species and Fibrous Rooted Begonias, and as 

 these apply to Tuberous Begonias they are not 

 repeated here. An early start must be made to 

 secure flowering plants by July, but this can be 

 managed if cultivation follows the lines laid down 

 for tubers, but with more warmth afforded in the 

 earlier stages. Cutting up tubers to increase stock 

 is not good practice. By means of spring or 

 autumn cuttings any valuable seedling can be 

 perpetuated. 



Soil. Begonias are not very particular as to 

 soil, but it should be rich and fairly substantial 

 for the production of fine pot specimens. Good 



strong growth and ensure plenty of large, richly 

 coloured blooms. Tie out and support the growths 

 so that light and air may reach all parts. As the 

 flowering stage passes, gradually withhold water. 

 When growth has died down the tubers may be 

 either taken from the soil and stored in a cool cup- 

 board, or left in the pots and stored under the stage. 



Selection of Double Tuberous Begonias : 



Crimson. B. K. Davis, Dr. Xansen, J. B. Black- 

 more, J. T. Bennett-Foe, Leopold de Kothschild, and 

 Lord Llangattock. 



Orange <Sc<zrf<tf. Baron Schroder, Felix Crousse, 

 Henshaw Kussell, J. Marshall, General Baden- 

 Powell (p. 111). Mr. W. G. Valentine (p. Ill), -and 

 Scarlet Perfection. 



Salmon. Ambrose M. Hooper, Chas. Turner, 

 Claribel, Mrs. Lynch, Mrs. Lewis Castle, and Sir 

 John Fender. 



Hose and Pink. Andromeda, Beauty of Bel- 



