OF NOTABLE RACES OF WINTER 

 FLOWERING PLANTS 



Begonias 



The dominant species in the production of the winter 

 flowering race has been the notable Begonia socotranay 

 discovered by Professor I. Bayley Balfour, of Edinburgh. 

 This winter flowering species has peltate or umbrella- 

 shaped leaves and erect stems, bearing numerous large, 

 showy, pink flowers. Its culture is easy, but it requires 

 peculiar treatment. From the middle of August to 

 October, three batches of the clusters of small tubers 

 should be potted up and placed in a warm greenhouse 

 or stove. The earHest started plants will flower in 

 December ; the others follow. Soon after the foliage 

 fades, water must be gradually diminished, and the plants 

 kept dry until the time of starting afresh. The most 

 popular hybrid that has arisen from this Socotran species 

 is Gloire de Lorraine {B, Dregii x B, socotrana), remark- 

 able for its neat habit, and the bright pink colouring of 

 the very numerous flowers. Several colour forms exist, 

 such as Turnford Hall, with white or pale rose blossoms, 

 and the difficult-to-do, white-flowered Caledonia. 



It is important to raise a fresh stock of plants annually. 

 After the flowering shoots are cut off', a number of young 

 growths will spring from the base, and these, when 2 

 to 3 inches long, are suitable for cuttings : the ends 

 of the flowering shoots are not usually suitable. The 

 cuttings (taken from February to April) may be inserted 

 in the fibre of a warm propagating case, or singly into 



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