GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY PLANTS 89 



cuttings SD that potting or boxing may be completed before the 

 roots get weak in the sand. It may safely be commenced, when the 

 roots are three-quarters of an inch long, and finished before they 

 are over ij^ inches. After the cuttings are potted, or boxed, keep 

 them shaded for a time, gradually giving them the benefit of full 

 sunshine and an abundance of air. Before planting out time they 

 should be removed to a cool frame. The soil may be made up of loam, 

 leafmold and sand. 



CATTLEYAS. These are the most popular Orchid flowers at 

 present, owing to their large size and delicate colorings. The best 

 Cattleyas for general culture are: C. Triance, flowering January to 

 March; C. Schroederce, March and April; C. MossicE, April, May; 

 C. Mendelii, April and May; C. Warneri, May and June; C. gigas, 

 June and July; C. aurea, June and July; C. Gaskelliana, August and 

 September; C. lahiata, October and November; C. Percivaliana, 

 December. (See page 90.) 



Culture. The Cattleya is fresh-air-loving and the temperature 

 during the Winter should be 50 to 55 degrees at night. The plants 

 are never kept dry because they are continually growing, flowering, 

 or recovering from flowering. 



CENTRADENIA. Of this there are three species, combining 

 handsome foliage and rather pretty flowers. C. grandiflora has the 

 largest leaves, and is the most useful for decorative work. The other 

 species are C. floribunda and C. rosea. 



Culture. An intermediate house suits them; they require but 

 little shade. Use a soil consisting of leafmold and sand. 



Propagation. Cuttings will root at any time of the year. To 

 get good growth on the plants during Summer they should be started 

 from cuttings in March. 



CENTROPOGON. C. Lucyanum is said to be a bi-generic hy- 

 orid. The parents are given as Centropogon fasiuosus and Sipho- 

 campylus belulxfolius. It is one of the very best stove or warm 

 greenhouse herbaceous perennials. There is no great difficulty in 

 its cultivation; but it is seldom seen in collections. The' flowers are 

 rosy carmine, produced in mid-Winter. 



Culture. After the blooming season is over the old plants may 

 be given a period of rest, and then repotted, using a light, rich mate- 

 rial. 



Propagation. After blooming numerous small shoots wiU 

 usually appear along the branches; these taken off with a heel root 



