GLOXINIAS 



The Gloxinias of gardens have been bred from several forms 

 of a species of Sinningia, namely S. speciosa^ which was 

 introduced from Brazil in 1817, and again in 1842 when a large 

 form of it was obtained Trom the Organ Mountains. The 

 introduced plants had nodding purple or white flowers, and 

 from these have been bred the many beautiful variations now 

 to be obtained. They come true from seeds, and good flowering 

 examples may be grown from seeds within the year. The 

 tubers increase to a large size in a few years, and it is possible 

 to grow single plants a yard across by carefully wintering the 

 tubers in dry soil and treating them liberally whilst growing. 

 Gloxinias are among the most useful of warm-house plants. 

 They do not require great heat, very fine examples having 

 been grown in a warm greenhouse. Specially good varieties 

 can be multiplied from leaf-cuttings; that is, by simply laying 

 a healthy leaf flat on the surface of sandy soil and covering it 

 with a bell-glass. 



The true Gloxinia is represented by the robust tall- stemmed 

 G. macalata, which has tubers like an Achimenes and axillary 

 blue flowers. 



