234 THE P HILADELPH IA FLORIST. [Dec'b. 



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longibracteata, longicornu, and sambucina, Qphrys tenthredinifera 

 and lutea, with Serapias cordifolia, would form a cluster of a bright 

 colors and beautiful forms, such as it would be difficult to eclipse even 

 among the Epiphytes of the tropics. As to any outcry about the 

 impossibility of growing them, we can only say that it will be chiefly 

 raised by the same class of gardeners as that which maintained the 

 uncultivableness of Epiphytes in any way, and of Roses in pots, and 

 and of plants in general in slate boxes. 



THE GLOXINIA. 



All the varieties of this interesting genus are easily cultivated. 

 What they require is a moist, warm temperature during their growing 

 season and when in flower ; most of them remain long in perfection 

 if guarded from damp. Gloxinias, especially, deserve the attention 

 of those who require a supply of gay and variously colored flowers 

 throughout the year, as with proper accommodation it is easy to have 

 them in blossom during nine months out of the twelve. 



Their propagation is exceedingly simple. The pots should be fill- 

 ed half their depth with potsherds or charcoal, the other half with 

 light, sandy peat, covered lightly with silver sand. This arrangement 

 will answer for either of the ordinary modes of increasing this 

 plant. Leaves cut through the main ribs, laid upon the surface of 

 the sand, and kept in contact therewith by means of a few small 

 pebbles, will form small tubers in the course ol a month or six weeks, 

 if kept properly moistened and placed: in a sharp battens heal of from 

 80° to 85 Q . Cuttings formed of the leaf stalk, having pasrt of the 

 leaf attached, with or without a bud at the base will also form tu- 

 bers in the course of a few weeks ; and cuttings of the stems taken 

 off when they have become moderately firm, root freely and form 

 useful flowering plants the second season. The cuttings should be 

 potted singly in small pots as soon as they are rooted and have com- 

 menced growing ; but if late in the seasoo before they are ready to 

 be separated, it will be better to let them remain over winter in the 

 cutting pot. If potted keep them in a warm, moist situation, and 

 encourage active growth. When the energies of the plants seem 

 exhausted, gradually discontinue water, and allow them a season of 

 rest in a dry temperature of about 50°. 



At any time in spring, where a heat of 60° with a close, moist at- 

 mosphere is at command, turn the young plants carefully out of the 

 soil in which they have been wintered, and repot them in small pots; 

 water sparingly until growth has commenced, and then keep the soil 

 l properly moistened, and maintain a humid atmosphere by a free use 

 4-j of the syringe. Attend to shifting as this may be necessary to af- . , 

 «u ford space for the roots; one moderately large shift will be sufficient,^) 



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