58 PICTORIAL PRACTICAL BULB GROWING. 



Cbapkr XVIL— Calaaiuins, 



Amongst all stove tuberous rooted plauts that are cultivated for 

 the beauty of their leafage tlie Caladiums are the most popular, 

 and were it not for the fact that strong, moist heat is essential 

 they would be found in all small as well as large gardens. The 

 leaves vary in size from a diameter of 3 inches in the charming 

 argyrites to 15 or 18 inches in candidum and others, while there 

 is an intermediate size of which minus erubescens may be cited 

 as an example. For the early summer months these plants are 

 invaluable for the odd and characteristic air that no others would 

 inipurt. 



The propagation is readily effected in spring by division of 

 the tubers as shown in the diagram, Fig. 17, p. 59, and the plants 

 should have a rich compost comprising 2 parts of fibrous loam, 

 1 part of each fibrous peat, decomposed leaf mould, and dried and 

 pounded cow manure, with sufficient coarse sand to insure perfect 

 porosity. The pots should always stand upon a moist base, and 

 at the same time atmospheric moisture with a temperature of 80^ by 

 day will be necessary so as to encourage the leaves to push up on 

 long, strong foot stalks. Eepotting must always be done early in 

 the year, and, except where large specimens for the purpose of 

 exhibition are required, 6-incli or 8-inch pots will meet all 

 requirements. 



As soon as the foliage begins to show signs of decay, which 

 will be soon after midsummer, unless special treatment has been 

 accorded, water should be gradually withheld with a view to 

 ripening off the tops and maturing the tubers, which call for a 

 decided rest every season if they are to continue in good health. 



Selection of Caladiums. 



argyrites (correctly Hum- 

 boldtii). greeu and white 



C bar] otte Hoffmann , white 

 caiididuni, white. 



Ainarante, red, violet, and 

 rose. 



Clio, rose.wliite, andgreeu 

 John Peed, red aud green, 

 minus erubescens, ciimsou 



Auguste Charpentier, car- 

 mine, red, gold, and 

 green. 



Oritiamme, red and green. 

 Rose Laing, wdiite and 



and green. 



Baron Adolphe de Roth- 



schild, red, cannine, and 



crimson. 



green. 



Silver Cloud, white, green, 



and carmine. 



