Bulbs and Tuberous-Rooted Plants. 



ACHIMENES. 



This genus of tropical plants is a very interesting 

 one for the greenhouse or conservatory, but of no practi- 

 cal use out of doors in temperate or cold climates. The 

 species come chiefly from Mexico and Guatemala ; a few 

 only have been introduced from the West Indies. They 

 are, strictly speaking, greenhouse tuberous-rooted peren- 

 nials, six to eighteen inches high, with branching and 

 hairy stems. The funnel-shaped flowers, about two 

 inches in diameter, crimson, scarlet, purple and white, 

 are produced very freely, giving the plants a striking 

 appearance. The flowers are delicate, will not endure 

 handling, and therefore are of but little use as cut 

 flowers. This genus derives its name from cheimaino, 

 to suffer from cold, alluding to its tenderness. 



The tubers should be thickly planted about the 1st 

 of February, in shallow pans of light, sandy soil, mixed 

 with sphagnum or peat, carefully watered and given a 

 slight bottom heat. When the plants are about an inch 

 high, they should be transplanted into blooming pans, or 

 pots, pans eight inches in diameter being preferable ; 

 these will be sufficiently large for four or five plants. 

 They should be placed in a house where the temperature 

 does not fall below 60° at night, and near the glass, in 

 order that the plants may grow strong and stocky. 



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