414 PLANT CULTURE 



Victoria (Royal Water Lily). There are two species com- 

 monly cultivated, namely, V. regia and V. Cruziana, the latter usu- 

 ally known as V. Trickeri. V. regia has leaves over 6 feet in diameter. 

 The leaf of V. r. var. Randii is much less in diameter, but more 

 turned up at the margins; that of V. Trickeri, in size, is intermediate 

 between the two. The Victorias are grown as annuals, the seeds be- 

 ing sown about the begiiming of January, and kept in water at a 

 temperature of at least 80 degrees. The first leaves are grass like, 

 gradually assuming the peltate form. The young plants should be 

 encouraged to make all the growth possible before being put out of 

 doors. In this latitude we plant them out about May 20, and treat 

 them in every respect like tender Nymphaeas. Each plant should 

 get at least a couple of cartloads of prepared soil, to have the 

 plants at their best. 



