GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY PLANTS 127 



mer. They can be repotted in the Fall and wintered in a cool house 

 or forced. 



GLOXINIA. The flowers of the Gloxinia {Sinningia speciosa) 

 are large, rich blooms of many different colors and shades. The 

 foliage also is beautiful and the plant as a whole makes a valuable 

 addition to the warm house during Fall and early Winter. 



Culture. The Gloxinia is fond of leaf soil, and it may be used 

 to the extent of one-half the bulk, loam, sand and cow manure mak- 

 ing up the balance. They are not deep-rooting plants. Large seed 

 pans should be provided for the full-sized tubers. Watering should 

 be given the greatest care not only in the seedhng stage but at all 

 times of the year. The fohage should never be allowed to become 

 wet. The plants are liable to have small brownish spots appear upon 

 the foliage as if it had been burned by the sun. The spots gradu- 

 ally enlarge until the health of the plant suffers to such anextentas 

 to stop the growth of the flower buds. Probably careless watering 

 at the roots has something to do with the trouble. Each plant 

 should be examined at least once a day, because the broad leaves 

 Ijang over the surface of the soil are apt to hide a very dry ball; and 

 if the plants go without water for any length of time when dry their 

 usefulness is ended. They require an abundance of air while 

 blooming and must be shaded from sunhght. After blooming, the 

 leaves will ripen off and water should be given in just sufficient 

 amount to keep the tubers alive. When they show signs of active 

 growth in February repot and water lightly until sufficient roots 

 are formed, when the water should be increased. 



Propagation. So easily do the leaves of the Gloxinia produce 

 tubers when properly manipulated, that it seems a roundabout way 

 to get up a supply of plants from seeds. The only drawback to the 

 first-named method is that leaves are not always available in suffi- 

 cient quantities for propagating purposes. When plants are wanted 

 in bloom before mid-Summer, the seed should be sown in early 

 Spring. The process of raising seedlings is simple enough; a little 

 neglect, however, when in the younger stages of their growth, is 

 very apt to occur, and that is the end of them. The seedlings are 

 very fragile for some time after germinating, and if the soil gets a 

 trifle too wet, or too dry, they suffer beyond repair. In preparing 

 boxes or pans for seed, let the soil be very porous and light, leaf mold 

 largely predominating. Make very firm; give a watering, then sow; 

 and if a covering be given it should be of the lightest possible nature. 

 If the atmosphere gets at all dry, cover the receptacles with panes 



