GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY PLANTS 109 



DAPHNE. One of the most popular of the greenhouse species 

 is Daphne odora. The odor of the flowers is very pleasing to most 

 people. There are several varieties, differing from one another in 

 the colors of the flowers. They are Winter blooming and highly 

 prized everywhere. The commoner species do fairly well in Wash- 

 ington when protected from late frosts. They grow better much 

 farther north than at Washington. 



Culture. Give them a sandy compost of peat and loam; pro- 

 vide good drainage and water carefully during the Winter. 



Propagation. By cuttings of the ripened wood, placed in sand. 



DENDROBIUM. D. nohile is one of the oldest and easiest 

 grown of the species. D. formosum is an evergreen and requires 

 heat. D. Phalcsnopsis is one of the finest for cutting, giving long 

 stems without injuring the plant. 



DESMODIUM (Tick Trefoil). D. gyrans is a plant of little 

 beauty, but very interesting because of the movements of its lateral 

 leaflets, which are continuous in the higher temperatures. For pub- 

 lic greenhouses and when properly labeled it would interest most 

 persons. 



Culture. It is easy of culture. 



Propagation. Seeds or cuttings in a warm house. 



DICHORISANDRA. Of the Tradescantia family, Dichori- 

 sandra thrysiflora is usually grown as a stove plant. In this capactiy, 

 unless given abundant root room, the flowers are not produced in 

 abundance. South of Philadelphia it may be used as a choice sub- 

 ject for the open border in Summer. The flowers, of a rich dark 

 blue and the stamens yellow, are borne on the upright shoots of the 

 current year's growth, which is about 2 feet in height. 



Culture. Requires little attention after it has become well- 

 established. Repot carefully every year until about an 8-inch pot 

 is filled with roots. It forms one strong shoot each year which after 

 blooming dies down; water should be withdrawn gradually at this 

 time. Give plenty of water during the growing season. 



Propagation. In August and September the flowering shoots 

 may be cut in pieces, with a single leaf to each if necessary, and 

 rooted in the hot propagating bed. They may be kept in a semi- 

 dormant state during the Winter, as the plants will form thick 

 tuber-like roots. 



DICHROA (Adamia). The Dichroa cyanea is a tender plant 

 of the Hydrangea family, with bright lilac flowers and berries. It 



