ox GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 743 



The Bride, which is so much grown. This is dwarf, of very 

 neat habit, and produces compact spikes of the purest white 

 flowers. 



G. cardinalis has bright orange flowers, with white spots ; 

 G. byzantimis is very showy, with red and purple flowers, and 

 there are some fine hybrids ; G. blandiis has flesh-coloured 

 flowers ; G. alatus, scarlet ; G. communis, red, and its two 

 varieties, aldus, white, and carneus, flesh ; G. floribundus is citron ; 

 G. naiiiis delicatissima (Blushing Bride) (Fig. 489) is white, with 

 pink and carmine flakes ; and G. ramosus is rose. There are 

 also many beautiful hybrids of most of the above. These should 

 all be potted in good loam, with a free admixture of sand, in 

 autumn, kept in a cool frame till the pots are full of roots, 

 when give a few degrees more heat, and place in the green- 

 house as the flower-spikes begin to " show. The beautiful 



Fig. 490. — Gloxinias. , 



hybrids of G. gafidavensis may also be utilised for late autumn 

 and early winter blossoming. These are best potted singly in 

 6in. pots at the end of May, using a similar compost to that 

 already advi^d. Plunge outdoors in rich soil, covering the 

 tops of the pots about 2in., and during dry weather water 

 well. When frosts begin, lift into a place in the cool pit, 

 shifting into the greenhouse as the buds appear. 



Gloxinias (Fig. 490) are most valuable for summer flowering, 

 and are best raised from seed. Sow in January or February 

 in pans, and place in the warm pit close to the glass : prick 

 off and pot in 3in. pots, still keeping near the glass, and for this 

 purpose, when the ordinary stage is not close enough, it is 

 best to use either a light extra temporary stage or inverted 



