PLANT CULTURE 



Fig. 23 — Viviparous Leaf of Nymphaea 



gigantea, a light blue flowered species from Australia, and the rose 

 colored variety of N. alba, are the principal offenders. The former 

 can be managed but, not with the same treatment as is given the 

 other blue flowered species. It is the largest and much the finest 

 of all the species and their numerous varieties even rivaling the 

 Victoria regia in size of flower. It has been grown in Washington 

 with flowers 16 inches in diameter. It is just as easily propagated 

 as any of the other species; plant the tubers in stiff but rich loam, 

 preferably in s-inch pots, and have the top of the tuber at least 

 one inch below the surface of the soil and use the tubers only as 

 breeders. As soon as they send up growths with leaves about 4 or 

 5 inches in diameter we may then be sure that they have consider- 

 able root systems. Then, with the forefinger, get hold of the parent 

 tuber and remove it without damaging the roots of the new plant 

 or plants, because fair sized tubers give as many as four shoots at a 

 time. In a short time the first growths will develop other tubers 

 and the original tubers will again send out shoots. It will be seen 

 that when we have a dozen or more tubers to start with we should 

 be able to raise quite a large number in the course of a >ear. The 

 point is, never to have the tubers lying idle, and always sell the 



