RAISING GLOXINIAS. 



4' 



leaves may also have their back ribs cut through at distances of 1 inch apart, and then 

 be pegged or pressed down with small stones into the surface of sandy peat soil. Place 

 them in a propagating frame and keep the soil steadily moist till the leaves decay. 

 The pea-like tubers that have formed where the cuts were made may be stored in sand 

 till the following spring, when these also may be grown to a flowering size. 



Cultural Details. 



Seedlings and newly-rooted cuttings must not remain close together too long in 

 pots and pans. Lift them out with as much soil as will adhere to the roots, and place 

 them singly in 3-inch, or if need be, slightly larger pots, using the peaty soil as before 

 and returning the plants to gentle heat. Too often these young plants are placed on 

 dry, hot shelves and stages with the result that they are crippled by insect pests. They 

 ought to be arranged on a moist bed or 

 base of some kind, and the atmosphere also 

 kept moist in a temperature of 55° to 65°. 

 Allow ample room for the foliage to properly 

 develop, shade carefully from bright sun- 

 shine, and never let the plants become dry 

 at the roots. 



Late-raised plants may be flowered in 

 3-inch and 4-inch pots, but those resulting 

 from the January or February sowings 

 ought principally to be shifted into 5-inch or slightly larger-sized pots before the 

 plants become root-bound. For the final potting a suitable compost is formed by 

 light-brown fibrous loam, two parts ; leaf soil, one part ; peat, one part ; with sharp 

 sand and a sprinkling of small pieces of charcoal. In potting be very careful not to 

 bury the hearts of the plants too deeply, and also not to damage the easily broken 

 leaves. "While growing strongly the surroundings must be moist by syringing the pots 

 and stage occasionally in bright weather, but during the flowering period a drier 

 atmosphere is desirable, as preparing the plants for either travelling or conservatory 

 and house decoration. Gloxinias when strongly rooted in their final pots should have 

 weak liquid manure frequently till they are in flower, taking care that none of this falls 

 on the leaves. 



After they have ceased flowering gradually withhold water, and duly remove the 



VOL. II. g 



Fig. 17. Raising Gloxinias from Leaves. 



