STOVE FLO^VERING PLANTS. 13 



fibrous peat, light loam, and shai'p sand, with a few bits of 

 charcoal. Firm, potting and careful watering are two essential 

 conditions to ensure success. 



STEPHAJSfOTIS. 



The fine stove-climber S. flovihwula is indispensable to the 

 exhibitor. Its pure white waxy flowers and thick leathery 

 leaves fit it admirably for withstanding the changes of tem- 

 perature which plants in exhibitions are subjected to. 



Under good cultivation it is a rampant grower, and should 

 be trained in the same manner as other climbers, by running 

 up strings under the glass around which the shoots will twine. 

 They can then be easily brought down to the trellis when 

 they show flowers. Although a plant of rapid growth and 

 a gross feeder, it flowers best when rather confined at the 

 roots; therefore large plants can be grown in comparatively 

 small pots, and they will flower more freely if judiciously 

 treated with liquid manure. The best time to re-pot is when 

 they are starting into growth in spring, using good fibrous 

 loam, leaf-mould, sand, and a little bone-meal. Careful water- 

 ing is very essential, especially during the winter months, 

 when the plant is resting. During the period of active 

 growth, an occasional application of weak liquid manure will 

 greatly benefit established plants which are getting pot-bound. 

 The balloon form is the best mode of training for the Stepha- 

 notis, which should be done some time before the exhibition, 

 so that the leaves and young shoots may have time to assume 

 a natural position. 



TABERN^EMONTANA. 



This is another sweet-scented useful stove evergreen shrub, 

 somewhat resembling the Gardenia. T. coronaria flore plena 

 and T. grandiflora are among the best for exhibition, the 

 flowers of the former being pure white, and the latter of a 

 yellow colour. They form by careful pruning and pinching 

 fine compact bushes, which, when well flowered, stand high 

 among exhibition plants. They thrive well under the same 

 conditions of culture as recommended for the Gardenia, 



