FORCED FLOWERS 97 



temperature of ^^ to 60 degrees. For Christmas use 

 pot up during the second week of October, and for 

 other dates at relative times. For flowers in February 

 and after, ordinary clumps may be used. Insufficient 

 moisture in soil or air will surely result in failure. It 

 is a good plan to stand the pots in saucers of water. 

 There are several varieties of the Astilbe. Spiraea 

 pa/mata, S. Ulmaria aurea (yellow leaved), and Rodgersia 

 podophylla, a very fine Japanese foliage plant, flourish 

 under the same treatment as afforded the Astilbe, but 

 retarded clumps are not usually obtainable. 



Crocuses and Snowdrops 



The Dutch crocuses are not satisfactory when rushed. 

 The stalks are weak, and the flowers frequently fail 

 to expand properly. There are gems among the 

 species that flower naturally during winter in a cold 

 house ; such are enumerated on another page. For 

 greenhouse work the larger varieties may be gently 

 forwarded. 



The best snowdrops for early work are the larger 

 species, such as Elwes's ; these will flower in December 

 and January if given a temperature of 50 to <,^ degrees. 



Lyre Flowers 



{Dicentra spectabilis) should be potted early in November 

 for January flower, and successive batches potted up to 

 early March. The roots before potting should be kept 

 in damped earth. Five strong pieces go into an 8-inch 

 pot. A valuable decorative plant with fern-like foliage 

 and pendant flowers. It is often called Dielytra. 

 There is a white flowered variety. A smaller species, 

 D. eximiay may also be used. 



