GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY PLANTS 143 



humilis, Ccroxylon andicolum, Stevensonia grandiflora, Licuala 

 grandis and Caryota urens are also grown in collections. 



Culture. In this section of the country nearly all of the species 

 make rapid growth out of doors during the Summer after they have 

 reached a certain stage, say in 6-inch pots. They are plunged in 

 half-decayed stable litter and partly shaded with lath slats. Large- 

 sized plants will bear the full sun, but not when taken directly from 

 the greenhouse. When it is desired that plants shall occupy the 

 same pots for any length of time, very little, if any, vegetable humus 

 should be among the soil. Crushed bone and a little charcoal will 

 be found beneficial. 



Propagation. The seeds should be covered to about twice 

 their thickness in sandy soil and kept fairly moist and warm until 

 they germinate. The drainage in the seed pan should be of such a 

 nature that the roots can be easily removed from it, as very little 

 is gained by potting in a very young stage. 



PANDANUS. There are several variegated Screw Pines, but 

 none approaching P. Veitchii as a commercial plant. No one will 

 dispute its right to a place among the best twelve decorative plants; 

 in fact, most people would put it in a shorter list. As a bedder it 

 stands our warmest weather without the least shade. (See page 288.) 

 As a dwelling house plant it has no superior, and as a stove plant, 

 owing to its beautifully striped leaves, it tends to relieve the dull 

 monotony of green. There are good and bad forms common in cul- 

 tivation; those to be avoided have mono-colored leaves, and leaves 

 with dirty white variegation. The good one has almost pure white 

 markings. P. utilis is a green-leaved species, forming very hand- 

 some plants even in small pots. It stands well in a dwelling house, 

 but, like P- Veitchii, must be kept on the dry side during the rest- 

 ing period. P. utilis is raised from seeds which, if fresh, germinate 

 well. The soil for both kinds should be porous and enriched with 

 a small quantity of bonemeal. 



There are several other species, none of them grown largely, be- 

 ing principally found in collections. P. tectorius {javanicus) varie- 

 gatus is quite as handsome as P. Veitchii, but needs more heat in 

 Winter, and the hooked spines pointing two ways on each leaf 

 is a feature very much against it. P. Baptistii is a handsome 

 variegated plant, but too soft for use outside of a warm greenhouse. 

 The true P. graminij alius is not of much use outside of collections. 



Culture. These plants are perfectly at home under Palm- 

 fiouse conditions and thrive in much heat and plenty of water. 



