288 PLANT CULTURE 



freely from the bases of the old stems. M. Ensete and M. superba 

 do not sucker like the ordinary edible fruited varieties, but are easily 

 raised from seeds. Sow them the latter part of January in the sand 

 bed of a warm propagating house, and pot oflf the seedlings when 

 they have developed three or four leaves. They may be potted 

 earlier if kept in bottom heat. 



OTHONNA (Little Pickles). Othonna crassifolia will stand 

 full sunshine with very little water. It is of procumbent growth 

 with small, yellow flowers. Lift a few old plants before frost, and 

 merely lay them on the front of a sunny bench. A dozen or two 

 nice little tufts may be potted up from a single plant. 



OXALIS. For outdoor blooming during September and Oc- 

 tober knock out a few plants from their flowering pots and start 

 some of the largest bulbs about the middle of July in 3-inch pots. 

 Use light soil. Some of the plants will be in flower inside of a 

 month. They can be used as bedders, to take the places of plants 

 which die off as the result of warm weather; for instance, Ten- Week 

 Stocks, Lobehas and Pansies. Oxalis Bowiei, 0. hirla, and one which 

 goes under the name of 0. crydentelles, are all very suitable for this 

 kind of work. (For other species see page '271.) Plants which 

 were in bloom during the Winter and Spring may be started for 

 this purpose after a few weeks' rest. 



PANDANUS (Screw Pine). For bedding purposes the best 

 plant in this genus is P Veitchii. It will thrive in almost any posi- 

 tion, but it makes better leaves in full sun than it does in shade. 

 As young plants increase in value up to a certain size, they should 

 be put out in their pots, and once or twice during Summer should 

 be examined at the roots and larger pots given if necessary. The 

 roots are large and soft, and when they grow over the sides of the 

 plunged pot and into the surrounding soil they are difficult to 

 manage afterward. (See also page 143) 



PELARGONIUM. (Includes the various Geraniums.) The 

 most commonly cultivated Geranium is P. horlorum. It is diflScult 

 to find a substitute for this plant for outdoor bedding or pot culture. 

 It is of the easiest culture, continually in flower and seldom injured 

 by insects or diseases. P. peltatum is the Ivy Geranium and is very 

 useful for the window box or hanging basket. The Fancy or Show 

 Pelargonium, also called the Lady Washington Geranium, is again 

 becoming popular as a greenhouse subject, and the variety Easter 

 Greeting is an excellent pot sort for Easter and Spring. A fourth 



