DIPLADENIA. 95 



with these plants. They require a moist atmosphere, and a 

 bottom heat ranging from 80° to 90°, together with full 

 exposure to the sun's Ught. But although we recommend 

 bottom heat for these plants, we by no means consider it 

 desirable that they should be plunged into it ; rather let them 

 stand over this heat, and keep the atmosphere moist by 

 sprinkling the stages and paths with water. Towards the 

 end of summer, after they have done flowering and have 

 finished their growth, remove them to a cooler house, and 

 fully expose them to sunlight, to ripen the wood. The tem- 

 perature they enjoy in summer is from 65° to 85°, with a 

 moderate quantity of water, which must be applied with 

 great care. In winter very little water will be required, and 

 the temperature should be reduced to 60° — 65° ; from this, 

 if they are wanted for exhibiting in May or June, they must 

 be brought, and placed in heat again about the beginning of 

 January. For cutting purposes the Dipladenias will be found 

 very useful, lasting a long time when out. 



D. amabilis. — One of the finest of the family and a garden 

 variety. The foliage is intermediate between that of D. 

 crassinoda and D. splendens ; the flowers are borne in 

 clusters, and are very large, of a rosy crimson colour, the 

 lobes of the flower being very round and stiff. It wili con- 

 tinue blooming from May to September, and makes one of 

 the finest exhibition plants we have. 



D. amcena. — This, like the preceding, is a garden variety, 

 and is a great improvement on D. splendens ; in habit of 

 growth it is even superior, in some respects, to D. amabilis. 

 The lobes of the flowers are round, and do not reflex, and it 

 "is a most abundant bloomer. The colour of the flower is a 

 deep rose, with orange yellow throat. 



D. Boliviensia. — ^A plant of less robust habit than the pre- 

 ceding, and differing from all the other known members of 



