852 



Gardening for Amateurs 



best in the coolest part of the hothouse or 

 in an intermediate temperature. They are 

 readily increased by cuttings of the young 

 growing shoots in spring, and succeed in a 

 mixture of loam, leaf-mould and sand. 



Poinsettia pulcherrima. This is a 

 universal favourite, the brilliant scarlet 

 bracts, which take the place of flowers, being 

 at their best in the depth of winter. In 

 conjunction with white flowers such as the 

 Arum Lily and the White Trumpet Japanese 



The scarlet bracts of Poinsettia. 



Lily (Lilium longiflorum) they are largely 

 used for Christmas decorations. The plants 

 should, after flowering, be cut partially back 

 and kept somewhat cooler and drier than 

 before in order to give them a rest. About 

 the end of March, if given warmer conditions 

 and frequently syringed, young shoots will 

 quickly be pushed out. When these are 

 about 3 inches in length they make the 

 best of cuttings if taken off with a piece of 

 old wood. If put singly in small pots of 



light sandy soil, and placed in a propagating bright rose. 



is to encourage as sturdy a growth as possible. 

 Pots 5 or 6 inches in diameter are large 

 enough for ordinary specimens. A mixture 

 of loam, leaf-mould, cow manure and sand 

 suits them well. Throughout the summer 

 the plants may be grown in a frame, giving 

 them plenty of air, and as the pots get full 

 of roots a dose of liquid manure every week. 

 Care must be taken to remove them under 

 glass before the nights get cold. 



Poinsettias are largely used in a cut state, 

 though complaints are sometimes made 

 that the bracts flag soon after the stems 

 are cut. This can be obviated if imme- 

 diately the stems are cut off the end, 

 to an extent of about 2 inches, is 

 dipped in boiling water. The drooping 

 is caused by the rapid discharge of the 

 milky juice with which the Poinsettia is 

 so plentifully supplied ; by dipping in 

 boiling water the flow of sap is at once 

 arrested, and the bracts remain fresh for 

 a longer time. The same result is ob- 

 tained by searing with a red-hot iron. 



Rondeletia speciosa major. A free- 

 growing evergreen shrub that needs no 

 special treatment. The flowers, borne 

 in rounded clusters, are not unlike those 

 of Lantana, and of brilliant orange-ver- 

 milion colour. They are produced more 

 or less freely throughout the greater part 

 of the year. Cuttings of the soft shoots 

 strike without difficulty in spring, and 

 established plants that are potted firmly 

 in a compost made up of loam, peat 

 and sand, will stand for years without 

 repotting. In their case an occasional 

 stimulant during the growing season will 

 be helpful. 



Ruellia. An extensive class of plants 

 of a half-shrubby character very easy to 

 strike from cuttings in spring and summer 

 and of simple cultural requirements. Among 

 the best are R. amoeiia, scarlet, flowers nearly 

 throughout the year ; R. macrantha, large 

 trumpet-shaped rosy-purple flowers with 

 crimson veinings, fine for winter flowering ; 

 R. Portellae, purple flowers and dark green 

 leaves, veined white ; and R. rosea, rich 



case having bottom heat, they will soon root. 

 Directly this takes place they must be re- 

 moved from the case, as the aim in all stages 



Sanchezia nobilis variegata. A sturdy- 

 growing plant whose large bright green leaves 

 have the midrib and principal veins marked 



