GREENHOUSE PLANTS FROM SEEDS 65 



but should never be syringed overhead for this they do 

 not like. Like many other greenhouse plants, the Humea 

 enjoys frame culture during its first summer and up to 

 the time when frost is to be feared. 



Primula sinensis. — Chinese Primulas are probably the 

 most popular of the Primrose family, no greenhouse 

 display in spring being considered complete without them. 

 They are comparatively easy plants to grow and not much 

 troubled with insect pests, though the ubiquitous green 

 fly has a penchant for them when young. Seeds may 

 be sown from March to June according to the time 

 flowers are wanted most. The earliest will flower in 

 autumn and winter but "suffer by comparison with 

 those that flower in spring. The seeds, which are 

 fairly large, should be sown in pans containing a mix- 

 ture of leaf mould, loam and sand. Early sowings will 

 need a little heat, but later ones are best raised in a cool 

 frame. Cover the pan with glass till the seeds are up, 

 pot off when ready into small pots and continue re- 

 potting as they need it. A useful size of pot to flower 

 in is six-inch, but they may be grown in various sizes 

 according to taste. At the later pottings, manure may 

 be added to the soil, which should always be kept on 

 the light side by using plenty of leaf mould. Frame 

 culture is best through the summer, and on fine nights 

 the lights may be drawn off, the plants being grateful 

 for summer dews. They must have ample room when 

 growing and a fair amount of ventilation to keep them 

 sturdy. Shade, too, will be needed in hot weather. 

 Plenty of water must be given in the summer and a 

 lessened supply towards winter, but never let them be 

 quite dry. In potting, keep the plants low down in the 

 pots. It was customary years ago to keep the short 

 stem under the ieaves above the soil, but this was a 

 mistake and a cause of trouble. Move to the green- 

 house before the dull and humid weather of late autumn 



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