STOVE FLOWERIXrr PLANTS. 



ALLAMANDA. 



All the species of this lovely genus of stove climbing plants 

 are of easy culture and remarkably free flowering. They are 

 natives of the tropical regions of South America, and luxu- 

 riate in abundance of heat and moisture. Among the best for 

 exhibition are A. grandiJJ.ora, A. nolilis, and A. Scliottii. To 

 grow them well for this purpose, the shoots should be run up 

 as near the glass as possible till the flowers appear, when they 

 should be brought down and carefully trained over a balloon 

 or other trellis, securely fixed to the pot, taking care to leave 

 sufiicient room to allow the leaves and flowers to assume a 

 natural position. 



The Allamanda grows well in a compost of equal parts of 

 sound fibrous loam, leaf-mould, and sand, sprinkled with 

 charcoal nodules and half-inch bones. When the specimens 

 are fully formed, and occupy large pots or tubs, it is not 

 necessary to re-pot them annually. With rich top-dressing 

 and a due application of liquid manure, they may be kept in a 

 thriving and floriferous condition for years. Before starting 

 them in spring, the surface soil should be removed to a depth 

 of three inches, and the space filled up with a rich mixture 

 of turfy loam and dry, well-rotted manure, pressed firmly 

 down. The plants require a good rest to ripen their growth, 

 and should be kept comparatively dry through the winter. 

 The shoots should be cut back to a few eyes before the plants 

 are started in spring ; and when they break, no more shoots 

 should be allowed to grow than is actually required to furnish 

 the specimen — a few strong and well-matured shoots giving 

 much the finest crop of flowers. AUamandas are usually 

 increased by cuttings which strike and grow easily; but A. 

 grandiflora thrives best when grafted on a stronger growing 

 species, such as A. Scliottii. 



If the specimens have to travel a distance to the show, it is 

 very advisable to gum the flowers, by dropping a little good 

 liquid gum on to the base of the petals, which will prevent 

 them being so easily shaken off in transit. Each flower should 

 also be carefully wrapped in tissue-paper and cotton- wool, to 



