262 FRITZ BAHR'S COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE 



Fig. 94. — ^Asparagus plumosus. While primarily a decorative green, this 



- should be carried by every florist, particularly the smaller sizes (io from 2- to 



5-in. pots) to be used in fern dishes, indoor window boxes and made-up plant 



baskets 



After September you start filling fern dishes and can use 2-in. 

 A. plumosus. Some people even prefer their dishes filled entirely 

 with it. . In the less expensive ones you often use a bushy plant for 

 the center instead of the higher priced Cocos. During Christmas 

 week you want the plants again for plant baskets. Small Cin- 

 cinnati Begonias, say three plants to an 8-in. bulb pan, and about 

 four Asparagus plumosus will do nicely. You need them with other 

 flowering plants, and especially with "bare-legged" Poinsettias, 

 and all through the Winter you want them, with an extra heavy 

 supply again for Easter week. What is left after that keep shifted 

 and grow on into larger pots for cutting. 



It will pay to grow the plants on from seed, or, in order to save 

 time, to purchase the small seedlings from the fern specialist at 

 prices in the neighborhood of ten dollars per thousand. A. plumosus 

 needs a little more than a Carnation house temperature, yet if you 

 have well-established plants by Fall they can get along there; they 

 won't make much growth, but they will stand it. 



Don't try to grow the long strings on a small scale, it doesn't 

 pay; they are only used for special occasions. If you grow enough 

 of the pot plants to supply your wants you can afford to let the 

 man who is properly equipped make a little money by supplying 

 what you want in long strings. 



