CHAPTER VI 

 Greenhouse and Conservatory Plants 



ABRUS (Prayer Plant). A. precatorius succeeds best in the 

 warm house. The plants are prized most because of their pretty 

 seeds, which are very frequently used as beads, although they 

 are poisonous. 



Propagation. It is raised from seeds secured from European 

 seedsmen; they may be sown early in the season. 



ABUTILON (Flowering Maple). Several of the varieties 

 having ornamental foliage, such as A. Darwinii tessellalum, A. Sel- 

 lovianum marmoratum, A . vexillarium and Eclipse, are good bedding 

 plants. The last two are useful for vases and boxes. All of them 

 have the leaves blotched with yellow. Souvenir de Bonn and 

 Savilzii are variegated with white. A. megapotamicum is a gem for 

 basket work. The old variety, Boule de Neige, is a rampant grow- 

 ing sort out of doors and might be more largely used in place of the 

 over-abundant Canna. The varieties grown for their flowers are 

 numerous; the colors are pink, red, white and yellow. They are 

 everblooming. 



Culture. The cultivation is the same as that for Geraniums 

 and Fuchsias. They make good pot plants if pinched back so that 

 they will branch. 



Propagation. Cuttings are rooted in the Fall, or may be taken 

 in early Spring from lifted and cut-back plants. Seeds grow readily; 

 plants started in Spring will bloom in Fall. 



ACACIA. Acacia Riceana is perhaps the finest greenhouse 

 species for very large plants. A. pubescens, A. Drummondi and A. 

 paradoxa are all good greenhouse species, flowering well on moder- 

 ate-sized specimens. 



Culture. Sandy loam, to which a goodly quantity of leaf soil 

 or peat is added, will suit them. Firm potting and good drainage 

 are necessary. Plunge the plants outside during Summer, and give 

 liberal supplies of water when the plants are well established. 



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