370 FRITZ BAHR'S COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE 



three or four leaves, tying these up also. But don't attempt to root 

 leaf cuttings from hardwood. 



Still another way, often advisable on large plants with a num- 

 ber of branches, is to root 2-ft.-long tips right on the plant. Make a 

 cut just below a joint, half way through the stem and then upward 

 for about 2 in. Where you stop with the knife, place a toothpick 

 crosswise to keep the cut open, then fill in and around the cut with 

 Sphagnum moss so as to form a ball the size of your fist when tied 

 with thin wire. In a temperature of 70 deg., if you keep the moss 

 wet at all times, you will soon notice roots pushing their way through. 

 Wait a few more days, then remove the top, carefully unwind or cut 

 off the wire, and pot the top up. Keep it shaded in a warm house 

 and you will soon see the leaves straightening out and red tops 

 appearing— always a sign of new growth. 



Ficus repens is a fine climber under glass on waUs, even those of 

 wood, but it is not of much use to the florist. 



Ficus pandurata is a beautiful foliage plant with large leaves, 

 used extensively by the florist. It is a good plant to carry in the 

 show house, but its propagation and growing on are best left to the 

 specialist. 



FIR, COLORADO WHITE 

 See Abies 



FIRECRACKER PLANT 



See Cuphea 



FORGET-ME-NOT 



See Myosotis 



FORSYTHIA (GOLDEN BELL) 



With the lawns full of Dandelions in bloom, you may have 

 some of your customers object to Forsythias which, in early Spring, 

 have their stems loaded with golden-yellow, bell-shaped flowers be- 

 fore their leaves appear. Usually, however, these fine shrubs are 

 wanted in every collection. We haven't many yellow-flowering sorts, 

 and siu'ely none as effective as the Forsythia. 



The one we usually plant and the leader as far as flowering is 

 concerned is F. viridissima, of upright habit; but for gracefulness 

 and places where you can give the plants all the room they want 

 F. suspensa is the more beautiful. It is a small plant and not as 

 free flowering, perhaps, as the other; but with its drooping habit 

 and fine leaves it makes an ideal foliage shrub and is especiaUy de- 

 sirable when the first light frost turns the long pointed leaves a 

 beautiful brown. 



FOUNTAIN GRASS 



See Ornamental Grasses 



