ON GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 75 1 



when of a good size. Give plenty of moisture whilst growing. 

 Rest in the autumn (giving less water) in the warm pit, start 

 again in February, and repot. B. metallica is very pretty; this 



Fig. 497. — Begonia Rex. 



plant is tall, and is best when grown as a large specimen. 

 Propagate by cuttings of the points of the shoots in summer, and 

 grow the same as in the case of B. Rex. 



Chlorophytum elatum argentea lineare is a useful plant ; 

 it is tuberous-rooted and has grass-like leaves with white 

 stripes. Height 6in. Propagate by division in spring or by 

 runners in summer. Grow in loam and sand, giving plenty of 

 water, and even in winter do not allow to become at all dry. 



Coleus. — There are many varieties of these beautiful-coloured 

 foliage plants which are most effective either as large plants in 

 8in. pots or as rooted cuttings in jin. pots. Propagate by cuttings 

 at any time in the warm pit in bottom-heat. Soil : loam, leaf- 

 soil, and sand. 



Cordylines are useful either as small plants for the shelves 

 or as large specimens, and may be propagated by ringing with 

 pots in the case of large specimens, also by suckers thrown up 

 from the root after the head has been removed, or by stems 

 laid in cocoanut fibre in a propagating-frame, as described in 

 the Chapter on "Plant Propagation." All these methods may 

 be practised at any time, but are best done in the spring. Grow 



