GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY PLANTS 155 



Culture. They are of rather slow growth and a sandy, loamy 

 soil suits them best. A partly shaded position is preferable. 



Propagation. By seeds sown in Fall and stratified and by 

 cuttings. 



SMILAX. (See Asparagus, page 63.) 



SOLANUM. The Jerusalem Cherry or Solatium capsicastrum 

 and the ornamental Peppers {S. pseudo-capsicum) are worth while 

 Christmas plants, especially admired because of their dwarf habit 

 and abundance of bright scarlet fruits. The variety Cleveland is 

 most grown at present as it has larger and more fruit than the type. 



Culture. Many growers set them in the field during the Sum- 

 mer, but they are severely checked by taking them up and crowding 

 into a practical sized pot. It seems best, therefore, to Summer them 

 in frames. Wet conditions cause the foliage to become yellow and 

 drop. 



Propagation, Seed is sown from January to March in flats. 

 It germinates readily. The seedlings are potted in small pots and 

 shifted gradually so that by June they are in 5-inch pots. 



STEPHANOPHYSUM (Ruellia). For conservatory decora- 

 tion S. longiflorum is a most useful plant during the dull months, 

 small-sized subjects being covered with bright red flowers. It is 

 not only useful as a Winter-blooming plant but it comes in well for 

 planting out in Spring, blooming satisfactorily during the Summer. 



Culture. They are of easy culture. 



Propagation. The ease with which flowering plants may be 

 had by the end of the year is remarkable. Cuttings are put in the 

 usual time that soft- wooded bedding plants are propagated; they 

 root in a few days, after which they are put in 3-inch pots. Three 

 of the plants may then be put in a 6-inch pot, and by keeping them 

 in a growing temperature they may be had in full flower two months 

 after the cuttings are taken. 



STEVIA. A fine white, fragrant flower, widely cultivated, useful 

 for combining in bouquets, is Piqueria trinervia, called by florists 

 Stevia serrata. To prevent the plants getting wiry constant pinching 

 should be resorted to. Pot-grown plants are preferable to field- 

 grown subjects for late flowering, as the plants in pots can be stored 

 in a place from which the frost is just kept out, so as to fill space 

 vacated by Chrysanthemums. Field grown plants may get their 

 last pinching during September, and in the benches should be planted 

 quite close together. 



