738 



Gardening for Amateurs 



Hibbertia. (See 

 Climbing Plants for 

 the Greenhouse.) 



Hippeastrum. A 



gorgeous race of 

 bulbous plants, hav- 

 ing Lily-like blossoms 

 borne during the 

 spring months. With 

 proper attention they 

 give little trouble, 

 and when in flower 

 are sure to attract 

 attention. Directly 

 the flowers are over, 

 plants that need it 

 should be repotted; 

 the best compost con- 

 sists of two -thirds 

 loam to one-third of 

 leaf-mould and well-decayed manure mixed 

 with enough silver sand to keep the soil open, 

 and a slight sprinkling of bone-meal. Annual 

 repotting is, however, by no means necessary, 

 as the plants may be kept in health for two 

 or three years in the same soil, provided the 

 roots are in good condition, and are assisted 

 by an occasional application of fertiliser 

 during the growing season. Whether re- 

 potted or not, the plants, after flowering, 

 should be kept in the warmest part of the 



A finely grown Gloxinia. 



greenhouse in order 

 to perfect their 

 growth. When this 

 is fi n i s h e d they 

 benefit by exposure 

 to air and sunshine, 

 thoroughly to ripen 

 the bulbs. A frame 

 fully exposed to the 

 sun is a suitable 

 place for them at 

 this period. They 

 must be watered as 

 before, until the 

 bulbs show signs of 

 going to rest by the 

 leaves turning yel- 

 low ; the water sup- 

 ply must then be 

 diminished, and 

 when the bulbs are quite dormant it is dis- 

 continued altogether. They may be win- 

 tered in the greenhouse in a temperature of 

 50. Towards the latter part of February 

 a little watering may be given, after which 

 they will soon commence to grow. Many 

 raise Hippeastrums from seed, and this is a 

 very simple and interesting occupation. 

 The seeds that result from the spring 

 flowers ripen in July, and if sown at once 

 will germinate quickly. The seedlings are 



An amateur's collection of Gloxinias from seeds. 



