Geranium 



(365) 



Geranium 



Zonal Pelargoniums, popularly called "Geraniums," 

 and of value for borders or rockwork. Propaga- 

 tion, by seeds sown in the open or under glass in 

 spring, and by division in spring or autumn. Some 

 may be propagated by cuttings of the side shoots 

 struck in sandy soil under a hand-light. Any 

 common soil. 



Principal Species and Varieties : 

 argenteum. 3", Ji 1 ., pale Kudressii, 1', Jo., ro. 



ml. A. charming Alpine, ibericum, 1', Je., bi. 



silvery Ivs. Place a sanguineum, lV,Je.,criiu. 



]iiece of glass over it in album, wh. 



win. to throw off raiu. lancastriense, ro. 

 armenum, 2', Je., Jim-. waUichiauun), Je., pur.; 



trailer. 



Other Species : 



aftiue, 1', Je., bl. maculatum, 9", Jy., pur. 



albamtm, 1', My., pur. multitidum, 1', Aug., hlf- 



albiHorum. IV, Jy., wh. hdy., red. 



anemomet'oliuin, IV, My., nepalcnse, 0", Je., red. 



lilt'-luly., red. palustre, IV, Jy., pur. 



utlantu-um, IV, Je., hlf- pha-um, if, My., pur. 



hdy.. pur. pniteiise, 2V, Je., bl. 



balkauuni, I', Je., pur. pyrenaicum, 1', Je., pur. 



cinereum, I', Aug., red. robertianum, 1', Ap.,red. 



cnllinuin, 1', Jy., pur. sibiricum, 1', Jy., wh. 



dalmricuni, 1', Jy., pur. striatum, 1', Aug., wh., 



eriostemon, IV, Jy., bl. red. 



grevilieanum, l',Jy.,red. sylvaticum, 2', Jy., pur. 

 lucidum. 6", Je.. p'k. tuberosuin, 1', Jy., pk. 



macrorhi/.on, IV, Je., whissoviunum, 1 ,Jy.,red. 



pur. 



GERANIUM, ZONAL. (ZONAL PELAR- 



uoNir.M.) 



Description. Though, to be botanically correct, 

 the plants here referred to should be grouped as 

 Pelargoniums, they are so generally known as 

 Zonal Geraniums (ord. Geraniaceae) that no apology 

 for dealing with them as such is needed. All are 

 perennial, free flowering, adapted to many methods 

 of cultivation, and produce flowers in large trusses 

 on erect stalks. The foliage is generally modified 

 heart-shaped, and with few exceptions the leaves 

 have a band or zone of a darker colour than I lie 

 rest of the leaf. Some varieties with tricolor, 

 silver, bronze, or yellow leafage have been developed, 

 and these were greatly in demand when summer 

 bedding was the height of horticultural fashion. 



History. Zonal Geraniums are the creation of 

 florists. The parent species (Pelargonium zonale) 

 was introduced about 1710. No doubt P. inquinans 

 was used in t lie earlier stages in conjunction with 

 P. zonale, but for years past improvement has been 

 by cross fertilisation and rigid selection, the aim 

 being to secure sturdiness, line form, large truss, 

 and tloriferous habit. In colour the aim has been 

 chiefly towards clear, decided shades, and especi- 

 ally towards a real blue and a bright yellow. Both 

 are yet to find. 



Propagation. The most popular method is by 

 cuttings cut straight across the stem just beneath 

 a joint, and with the lower leaves trimmed off. To 

 increase a new variety, or to make up the required 

 number of any bedding sort, cuttings may be 

 struck in moderate heat and subsequently given 

 cooler quarters. Cuttings can be rooted in pots or 

 boxes of light soil placed in a greenhouse, or even 

 a cottage window, at any time from spring to 

 autumn, provided the soil is not kept very moist. 



Soil and Potting. Good loam is the best potting 

 material, and beyond a little sand il needs no addi- 

 tion ; but if the loam lacks fibre add some decayed 

 leaves, dried cow manure, or wood ashes. It is far 



better to feed the plants when they are thoroughly 

 well rooted and commencing to bloom, either by 

 top-dressings or with liquid manure, than to pot 

 them in a rich material, as the latter causes rank, 

 long-jointed growth and few flowers. Firm pot- 

 ting is a point to be well observed. 



Other Cultural Points. Damp being the greatest- 

 enemy during winter, it is necessary to give water 

 only early on bright days. Afford all the light 

 possible, and remove decaying leaves. Avoid 

 coddling. 



For Winter Flowering. Cuttings may be rooted 

 singly in small pots during late autumn or in early 

 spring, the latter for choice. The plants ought to- 

 be ready for potting into 0" pots by the end of 

 May, and after a few days' sojourn in a close pit to 

 assist the formation of new roots, the best place 

 for them is an open one. They enjoy full sunshine, 

 though it is an advantage to the plants and a 

 saving of labour in watering to the grower if a. 

 thick board is placed on edge against the pots. 

 About the middle of September place the plants in 

 an airy greenhouse, raise them near the glass, and 

 keep up a temperature of 45 to 50. Pinch out 

 the bloom trusses until September, in the case of 

 the earliest batch, and still later on those not 

 required to flower so soon. Two months at least must 

 be allowed from the formation of new flower buds 

 to the period of flowering, during the dull months 

 of the year. It is far better to grow large batches 

 of a few distinct -coloured varieties for this purpose, 

 than to attempt the cultivation of a collection. 



Standard Geraniums. These are becoming 

 popular for the decoration of large conservatories, 

 corridors, verandahs, and terraces. A couple of 

 seasons are required to secure the necessary length 

 of stem and a good head, but after these are 

 obtained it is only necessary to occasionally repot 

 ;incl to annually prune the heads into shape. 

 Winter in a cool greenhouse, and keep moderately 

 dry. In summer give liquid manure. Stout 

 Bamboo rods are by far the best supports. 



Selection of Single Varieties : 



Crimoti Shades : 



Dr. Macdonald. Lord Rosebery. 



John Forbes. Marquis of Dufferin. 



King of Crimsons. M. Calvat. 



Orange Shadei : 



Golden Horu. Lady Churchill. 



Jerome K. Jerome. Sunbeam. 



John Kuskin. Wordsworth. 



Pink and Slush : 

 Duchess of Fife. Norah. 



Gertrude Pearson. Olive Carr. 



Lady Boscoe. Stella Massey. 



Purple ami Mayentu, : 

 Bluebeard. King of Purples. 



Blue Peter. Lord Roberts. 



Kaiser Frederick. Royal Purple. 



llosc : 



Alfred Tennyson. Hall Caine. 



Countess of Buckingham. Lady Frances Russell. 

 Duchess of Portland. Mrs. Wildsmith. 



Salmon : 



Coleridge. Lady Laurier. 



Couan Doyle. Mary I'elton. 



Ian Mitclareu. Mrs. Chas. Pearson. 



Southey. 



Souv. do W. B. Miller. 



W. P. Wright. 



Charles Mason. 

 ( ;, .11, .nil French. 

 George Gordon. 



