Gardening for Amateurs 



787 



Annuals for the Greenhouse 



WITHIN recent years many im- 

 proved strains of annual flowers 

 have been obtained, and this has 

 led to their being more freely used for the 

 embellishment of the greenhouse. They 

 are remarkably showy, and in some cases, 

 at least, if care is taken in the removal of 

 decaving flowers and other minor details, 

 they retain their beauty for a considerable 

 time. A further recommendation is that 

 they come into blossom a few months after 

 seed is sown. 



The choice of those available for growing 

 in pots is extensive and a selection of the 

 best is herewith given. 



Balsam. This, of which the botanical 

 name is Impatiens Balsamina, has long 

 been a favourite with gardeners. From the 

 original species double-flowered forms have 

 been evolved, that known as the Camellia- 

 flowered Balsam being the finest. In order 

 to succeed with the Balsams a certain 

 amount of care is necessary. They are raised 

 from seeds sown during the first half of 

 April in a temperature of 55 to 70. Ger- 

 mination takes place quickly, and as soon as 

 the young plants are large enough to handle 

 they should be potted singly in small- pots, 

 covering the stem as far as the pair of seed 

 leaves. A light rich soil, such as three parts 

 fibrous loam to one part each of leaf -mould 

 and decayed manure, with a free sprinkling 

 of sand, is suitable. It must only be pressed 

 down moderately firmly. By the time they 

 are ready for shifting into the flowering pots 

 the weather will be warmer and the plants 

 will do well in a frame. As the pots get full 

 of roots manure water or fertiliser should be 

 given occasionally. Balsams may be flowered 

 in pots 6 or 7 inches in diameter. Some 

 prefer to grow three plants in a larger pot, 

 and thus obtain larger specimens. When 

 this method is practised the plants ought, 

 at their first potting, to be in triangular 

 fashion round the edge of the pot, 4 or 4 

 inches in diameter. From these they can 

 be shifted into their flowering pots without 

 disturbing the roots. 



Celosia. There are two distinct species 



of Celosia, namely, the Cockscomb (Celosia 

 cristata) and the more graceful Celosia 

 pyramidalis or plumosa. Both are valuable 

 decorative plants for the greenhouse, and 

 perfectly distinct from all others. Owing to 

 its quaint appearance the Cockscomb always 

 arrests attention, the large velvety flower- 

 heads being so unlike anything else. The 

 inflorescences of the Cockscomb of old were 

 rich crimson, and that tint is still the most 

 striking. There are, however, varieties of 

 yellow, orange and mixed shades of colour. 

 Celosia pyramidalis or plumosa is used a good 

 deal for summer bedding, as well as for 

 greenhouse decoration. In this some of the 

 tints are almost crude in their colouring. 

 They are of numerous shades of yellow, 

 scarlet and crimson. The cultural require- 

 ments of the Celosias are much the same as 

 those above detailed for the Balsam. For 

 the Cockscomb, however, pots 6 inches in 

 diameter are large enough, indeed, good 

 plants may be accommodated in 5-inch 

 pots. Celosia pyramidalis may be sown in 

 March, April or May, according to the time 

 they are required to flower. Seeds sown 

 about midsummer will produce plants that 

 are in full beauty late in the summer, when 

 they are often much appreciated. Pots 5 

 and 6 inches in diameter are suitable. 



Glarkia. During late years a great ad- 

 vance has been made in the several varieties 

 of Clarkia, a,nd instead of their being looked 

 upon as annuals only for the open ground 

 they are now largely grown for spring flower- 

 ing in the greenhouse. For this purpose the 

 several forms of Clarkia elegans are most 

 appreciated. They reach a height of 3 feet, 

 and the shoots become wreathed with blos- 

 soms throughout the greater part of their 

 length. The double flowers are preferable 

 for pots, and there are now many charming 

 shades of colour, embracing white, pink, 

 salmon, scarlet, and crimson. For spring 

 flowering seeds are sown in the first half of 

 September and the young plants grown 

 during the winter in a glasshouse where they 

 are just safe from frost. They must have 

 plenty of air, and be grown as sturdily as 



