CALENDAR FOR THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 



made their appearance. Should any be visible, 

 dip the plants occasionally in soft-soap and 

 water. 0. citrosmum will also have commenced 

 growth, and should be repotted where neces- 

 sary, before the roots are far advanced. Some 

 of the winter-flowering section of Cattleyas and 

 Lselias will also be starting, and will therefore 

 need attention. Any which require repotting 

 or surfacing should be attended to. C. labiata 

 and C. Dowiana will be the first to require care. 

 Good fibrous peat and clean crocks only should 

 be used. Any Dendrobiums which have finished 

 their flowering period and are starting afresh 

 should also be potted or put into fresh baskets as 

 need arises. Vanda Amesiana, V. ccerulea, and 

 various other orchids which require repotting, 

 should be attended to on the first available 

 opportunity. 



Towards the end of the month, when the days 

 lengthen and the sun has more power, it may 

 be found advisable and necessary to put up the 

 blinds, for many plants suffer more from sudden 

 bursts of sunshine than if they were exposed 

 to it continually. Blinds will also prevent the 

 necessity of damping down too frequently, which, 

 at this season of the year, owing to extremely 

 low outside temperature at night, is apt to cause 

 drip through the condensation of the moisture 

 on the roof-glass. 



Hothouse. — Numerous plants in these struc- 

 tures will be starting into growth, therefore 

 potting will be general. If the necessary mate- 

 rials were prepared last month, as then advised, 

 the work may be taken in hand at the expiration 

 of the first fortnight. All pots and drainage 

 appliances should be perfectly clean. Most 

 stove-plants succeed in a mixture of loam, leaf- 

 mould, peat, and sand. There are, however, a few 

 which need a special soil, as, for example, Ixoras, 

 Dipladenias, Phryniums, &c, which thrive best 

 in sandy peat. Particular care is needed in 

 potting. Such plants as have thick fleshy roots 

 should not have the soil made too firm, while 

 those of a more fibrous nature take hold much 

 better if it be pressed down hard. 



Gloxinias, Caladiums, and other bulbs, which 

 have been lying dormant through the winter, 

 should now be induced to commence growth. 

 The former succeed best in sandy peat to 

 which a little loam has been added. The latter 

 require a rich, light, rough soil, so that their 

 roots may ramify freely. The temperature should 

 be increased to 65° at night in mild weather, 

 and from 70° to 75° in the daytime. 



Intermediate House. — Gardenias, and 

 other plants of a similar nature that require a 



temperature of from 55° to 60° and are now 

 coming into flower, should be exposed to the 

 light as much as possible. Weak manure-water 

 should be given to those whose roots fill the pots, 

 to assist them in swelling their buds. Many of 

 the Java section of Rhododendrons should be 

 potted before growth and root-action have made 

 much progress. Most of the palms find the 

 temperature of the intermediate house con- 

 genial, and those should be potted which require 

 it. They all succeed well in a compost of light 

 rich loam, peat, and leaf-soil. They should be 

 potted rather firmly, as many of them make a 

 quantity of fibrous roots. Begonias of the 

 tuberous-rooted kinds should be started into a 

 renewal of growth. 



Forcing House. — Continue to introduce 

 plants, to bring forward as recommended for 

 last month. In addition to these, cuttings of 

 various other plants may be rooted in this struc- 

 ture. Among these may be included Perpetual 

 Carnations for winter flowering, Heliotropes, 

 Bouvardias, Harrison's Musk, and various stove- 

 plants. Many kinds of plants may now be 

 raised from seed. 



Greenhouses and Conservatory. — This 

 month is usually one of the most pleasant of 

 the whole year in this department, as there are 

 so many spring flowers that have been brought 

 forward in heat, which will now be in bloom. 

 Much care, however, will be needed to keep the 

 flowers fresh, as probably the weather may be 

 very changeable. 



Cinerarias, Cyclamens, Primulas, and other 

 flowers of their class should now be had in 

 abundance ; while the numerous bulbs that have 

 been brought forward all tend to make the con- 

 servatory gay. Any climbers that need pruning 

 should receive attention without delay, as the 

 sap will soon be active. 



The propagation of various soft-wooded plants 

 for summer flowering should be taken in hand. 

 These include such as Petunias, Heliotropes, 

 Pelargoniums, and Fuchsias. Fancy Pelargo- 

 niums intended for early flowering should be 

 removed to their final quarters. Many hard- 

 wooded plants, particularly those that bloomed in 

 the autumn or early winter, will now be starting 

 into growth, and these should be repotted. Such 

 climbers as Lapagerias, Tecomas, Rhynchosper- 

 mums, &c, that need top-dressing or their border 

 extending, should be looked to. Heaths and 

 many New Holland plants will be revealing 

 their flower-buds. If these require retarding 

 for any special purpose, this should be done 

 before the buds get too far advanced. For this 



