ON STOVE PLANTS. 



68 9 



decorative purposes. The flowering branches when produced are 

 of a larger growth than, and otherwise distinct from, the 

 creeping branches. It is readily increased by cuttings, and will 

 grow in any light, sandy soil, with either warm or cool treat- 

 ment in a moist, shady situation. The variety minima is the 

 above species in miniature, and the charmingly quaint and 

 graceful manner in which it spreads over rockwork is most - 

 interesting. F. barbata, from Singapore, is another species, of 

 larger growth, which will also cling to and climb up a damp 

 wall, and form an effective covering. 



Gloriosa. — These deciduous tuberous-rooted climbers are 

 splendid ornaments to the stove, when trained up the rafters and 

 along wires under the roof near the glass. Propagation is 

 usually effected by dividing the tubers. Though seed may be 

 obtained by artificially fertilising the flowers, some patience is 

 required to grow the seedlings on to a flowering size, two or 

 three years being necessary, with careful treatment. We will, 

 therefore, suppose we are dealing with tubers of a flowering size. 

 The pots in which they are to grow must be clean, well drained, 

 and filled with a compost of two parts fibrous loam and one 

 part peat, with a free admixture of sharp silver-sand to keep the 

 soil open and porous. Place the tubers about iin. under the 

 surface in March, handling them very carefully so as not to bruise 

 them. This is especially necessary on account of the small scale 

 that protects the bud, for if that be only slightly damaged no 

 growth will ensue. Plunge the 

 pots, if possible, in a hotbed, 

 but give no water until the 

 young shoots appear. These 

 must be carefully trained to sticks 

 or wires, being always cautious 

 to preserve the growing points 

 from damage and watering liberally 

 as they increase in strength until 

 after flowering. Then gradually 

 withhold water, and when the 

 plants die down turn the pots 

 on their sides and keep quite 

 dry all the winter until the season 

 comes round for repotting in the 

 following spring. 



G. superba (Fig. 449) is a 

 native of the East Indies and 

 produces large and curious flowers, 

 the orange, scarlet, and yellow 

 segments of which are prettily crimped and waved. G. s. 

 grandiflora is a superior variety with larger flowers and still 

 brighter colourings. G. Plantii has very long and, curious- 



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Fig. 449. — Gloriosa superba. 



