ON STOVE PLANTS. 



651 



very handsome foliage. Plant the roots just under the surface 

 in two parts fibrous peat, one part leaf-mould,' and a liberal 

 sprinkling of sharp silver-sand, in well-drained pots. Water very 

 sparingly until the young plants come up and make some fibrous 

 roots, then rather liberally. Give them plenty of light, heat, and 

 moisture in the atmosphere, but do not syringe much overhead. 

 Avoid cold draughts, the leaves being rather delicate when young. 

 When the plants have done flowering, and show signs of 

 exhaustion, gradually withhold water until the foliage dies down, 

 then turn the pots on their sides in a dry place with a tempera- 

 ture of 45deg. to ssdeg., and allow a period of rest until the 

 season comes round for re- 

 potting. Propagation is effected 

 by cuttings of young shoots, 

 and also by mature leaves laid 

 on sandy compost with the leaf- 

 stalk inserted in the soil. There 

 are numerous species and 

 varieties to select from. Gesnera 

 refulgens (Fig. 421) has deep 

 red flowers and large cordate 

 ovate foliage, with stout deep 

 red hairs. 



Gloneria (Psychotrid) jas- 

 miniflora. — A beautiful ever- 

 green shrub from Brazil. It 

 produces terminal corymbose 

 panicles of handsome white 

 tubular flowers, very much re- 

 sembling those of Bouvardia 

 iasminiflora, and may be had in 

 blossom in early spring when 

 white flowers are valuable. It 

 may be propagated and treated 

 like Gardenias. 



*♦ 





Fig. 421. — Gesnera refulgens. 



Gloxinias. — Tuberous-rooted 

 perennials with showy and 

 numerous flowers. This is one 

 of the genera in which the skill 



of the hybridist has worked an important effect, the varieties 

 being now innumerable and of the richest colours and markings. 

 Few of the species with which we were a few years ago 

 acquainted are now grown, except in botanic gardens. The 

 erect-flowering varieties are the most, popular, as their lovely 

 flowers are seen to greater advantage. 



The thick fleshy tubers should be potted in equal parts 

 fibrous loam, peat, rotten dung, and sand in pots a little larger 



