ON STOVE PLANTS. 



655 



of turfy loam and peat, with the addition of a little silver- 

 sand. 



Luculia. — A genus of very handsome cool-stove flowering 

 shrubs from Nepal, producing large trusses of deliciously fragrant, 

 somewhat fleshy flowers. Propagate by cuttings in heat under 

 a bell-glass. Luculias may be grown in pots, but thrive better 

 when planted in a border in a compost of turfy loam, peat, 

 charcoal, and sand, with good drainage. When well established 

 and growing, water and syringe freely. Prune the shoots after 

 flowering, and keep 

 rather dry, allowing the 

 plants to rest for two or 

 three months before again 

 starting into growth. L. 

 gratissima, the best known 

 species, has lovely rose- 

 pink flowers. L. Pinceana 

 (Fig. 423) has white 

 flowers, changing with 

 age to a rosy hue. 



Magnolia pumila is 

 an evergreen shrub, native 

 of China, yielding white 

 flowers, which, when in 

 blossom, will fill the 

 whole of the hothouse 

 with a delicious perfume. 

 Propagate by cuttings of 

 half-ripe shoots. The 

 plants thrive best in 

 good fibrous loam, witha 

 little leaf-mould and sand. 



Medinella, a beautiful genus of bold, handsome, evergreen- 

 shrubs. M. amabilis, a native of India, has quadrangular- winged 

 stems, with opposite leaves i2in. long by 7m. broad, and large 

 erect panicles of rosy-pink flowers. M. Curtisii, a native of 

 Sumatra, has rather fleshy opposite leaves and white flowers 

 in terminal panicles. The peduncles and pedicels are red, and 

 the stamens purple. M. javanensis, from Java, has sessile 

 heart-shaped leaves and terminal panicles of pale flesh-coloured 

 flowers about lin. in diameter, with very dark purple anthers. 

 M. tnagnifica (Fig. 424) is a striking plant, with smooth, rich 

 shining green leaves, 8in. to ioin. long, and large terminal 

 pani.cled drooping racemes of rosy-pink flowers, with violet 

 anthers and rose-coloured bracts, which- last a long time in per- 

 fection. Propagation is effected by cuttings which, when rooted, 

 should be grown on in a compost of equal parts peat, loam, and 



Fig. 423. — Luculia Pinceana. 



