HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 227 



ACHIMENES PICTA AS A HOTHOUSE PLANT. 



One of the most remarkable features, of by far the largest portion of what 

 are termed stove plants, or natives of tropical climates, is their beautiful 

 foliage. They are while growing, beautiful even without flowers, which 

 latter are often of the richest and most dazzling color. 



In culture, however, this presupposes skill, for it is not uncommon to meet 

 with plants with anything but the foliage, which under good treatment they 

 are capable of producing. This frequently arises from the want of moisture 

 in the atmosphere, especially in a country like this, where the sweeping winds 

 and hot sun are proverbial for their effect in ridding the air of vapor. 



To cultivate a collection of tropical plants to the greatest perfection, (two 

 houses are required,) the one dry, the other moist; the former for plants in 

 a state of rest, the latter for those in a growing state, corresponding to the 

 climate they are adapted for by an all-wise Providence. 



But, Mr. Editor, we are digressing from our subject and running headlong 

 into the philosophy of plant growing, instead of speaking of the beautiful 

 plant at the head of the chapter. Achimenes Picta, is a native of New Gre- 

 nada, where in the wooded heights on the east of Guaduas, Mr. Hartweg 

 found it growing in a forest of Wax Palms (Ceroxylon andicola) ; there it 

 prefers rocky ground, seldom growing more than five inches in height or 

 producing more than two flowers on a stem. In cultivation it is very differ- 

 ent, growing from one to three or four feet high, with frequently six flowers 

 from the axil of a single leaf. 



One important feature in this plant is, that it may be had in flower the 

 year round, if a stove is given it; and increases readily by the tubers — each 

 scale of which is capable of forming a plant — by cuttings or offsets, and by 

 the leaves. The first two we generally adopt in the following manner : 

 About the end of February the tubers are placed thickly in shallow pots or 

 pans, and treated with a little bottom heat if obtainable, as soon as they are 

 sufficiently advanced say into three or four leaves, they are potted into their 

 flowering pots inserting the plant pretty deep in the pot, as they readily 

 strike root all up the stem, placing from five to ten in a pot according to 

 size and stock on hand, or if very scarce three will do, by finishing off they 

 will ultimately fill the pot, taking a little longer time to do it in. Shallow 

 pots are the best for this tribe of plants if obtainable, and may be from six 

 to twelve inches over. 



When they are potted, which will be early in April, no better place can 

 be given them than a hot bed for a month or two. As the plants progress, 



