410 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



Culture. 



The habitat of the genus SelagineUa is comparatively restricted : two 

 species only extend their range into Europe ; the Selaginellas of the Cape, 

 Temperate Australia, and South Temperate America are neither numerous nor 

 remarkable ; and the greater part of the species come from Tropical America, 

 so that the genus may be said to be concentrated in the tropical zone. Most 

 of them are of very easy culture, and as a rule invaluable for decorative 

 purposes ; their elegance can hardly be overrated, and their powers of endurance 

 in many instances prove sufficiently satisfactory to enable growers to utilise 

 them for decoration. 



Selaginellas are readily propagated from cuttings made from their creeping 

 stems, which emit roots at nearly every joint. The layering of the fronds by 

 pegging firmly on a constantly damp, mossy surface is a rapid method of 

 producing very handsome plants, and this operation may be performed with 

 equal success at almost any time of the year. In private establishments 

 especially, where the demand for decorative plants is great, and where greater 

 difficulties are encountered in the propagation of Ferns, these useful plants may 

 be increased at a rapid rate and with comparatively little trouble. 



With very few exceptions, Selaginellas require a warm, close, moist 

 atmosphere, where draughts are carefully excluded, although some of them are 

 quite at home in a temperate house, and a few are even hardy in a sheltered 

 position out of doors. The temperature most suitable for the bulk of them is 

 from 65deg. to 70deg., and they will, by growing more luxuriantly, give even 

 more satisfaction if the atmosphere can be kept at from 70deg. to 75deg. all 

 the year round. 



There are various ways of growing Selaginellas. They delight in any 

 light soil, and it should be kept open by intermixing charcoal or small 

 potsherds through it. Growing them in shallow pans is the best method of 

 cultivation, as, with the exception of the plants belonging to the rosulatce 

 section, they all require room to spread, and most of them root upon the surface 

 of the soil only. They should be kept on the shady side, or at one end 

 of the house ; in any case it will be found beneficial to have them in 

 such a position that there may be a certain amount of constant moisture 



