IRESINES 



481 



crimson. Introduced from South Brazil, 1864. There are a number of 

 garden varieties. The var. acuminata has the leaves drawn out to a 

 long sharp point, as shown in Plate 230a. The var. aureo-reticulata 

 has green leaves, veined and blotched with yellow ; the stems, leaf -stalks, 

 and parts of the midrib, and the under-surface sometimes, stained with 

 crimson. Plate 230b. 



I. LiNDENii (Linden's). Stems branching, deep blood-red. Leaves 

 narrow-oblong-lance-shaped, dark blood-red with a central band of 

 amaranth, flat and glossy. Whole plant very handsome and robust, 

 bearing cutting or pegging down to any height for bedding purposes. 

 Introduced from Ecuador, 1868. 



Iresines are tender plants, requiring a warm house 

 for growth, and for protection through the winter ; but of 

 the greatest value for outdoor bedding during the summer, with Coleus 

 and similar subjects. Their rich glowing leaf -colours afford fine 

 contrasts, not only with other foliage plants, but also with many 

 flowering plants. They are propagated by cuttings, which root readily, 

 but, where a large number of plants are required for bedding, prepara- 

 tions must be made in advance, and a first batch must be rooted in 

 August. These may be put into sandy loam in five-inch pots, and struck 

 in a close frame. When rooted, these should be put near the glass in the 

 greenhouse, and kept rather dry to keep them as short as possible. The 

 winter temperature should be about 55°. In early spring they should 

 be transferred to warmer and moister quarters, and water should be 

 given at the roots. This will cause a number of shoots to break from 

 each, which will soon become large enough to take ofi" and use as cuttings. 

 These should now be struck in gentle heat, and about the beginning of 

 June, if the weather is genial, they may be planted out in the beds as 

 required. If planted out earlier than this they are liable to destruction 

 by a late frost. When the cuttings are inserted, they should be placed 

 very near the glass, and kept shaded until they are rooted ; afterwards 

 they must have all the light they can get, as the brilliance of their leaf- 

 colour will depend very largely upon this. Certainly, the richness of 

 the reds cannot be developed where there is shading during the growing 

 period. During the time these plants are in the house they must be 

 examined frequently for green-fly and red-spider, and in the event of 

 these appearing, immediate steps must be taken to destroy the pests 

 before they can spread ; fumigation and frequent syringing are the best 

 means to employ against these enemies. 



Iresine Herbstii: A, var.. acuminata; B, var, aureo- 



