PELARGONIUMS— CUL TURE. 



75 



Ketain only those which correspond with the characteristics already given of a good 



pel 



argonmm. 



and ii 



by cuttings as previously advised. 



Fig. 36. Cutting Down Pelargoniums- 

 First and Second Yeaes. 



Decoeative Plants. 



Strong-branching young plants flower profusely, and, all things considered, are the 

 most generally serviceable. Those recently raised from cuttings and well established in 



2|-inch pots should be topped, and 

 ^| when breaking afresh be shifted into 



jv^Jst* 5-inch pots, arranging them in a 

 j^igadl shallow frame or pit and keeping it 

 somewhat close for a few days. If 

 two or three shoots result from the 

 first topping, have their points taken 

 out beyond the third leaf; enough 

 shoots will then be obtained to form a strong plant. Another shift may be given to 

 a few of the largest of the plants in the spring before they become root-bound, but 

 the majority may be flowered in the 5 -inch pots. Pot firmly, and in the summer 

 grow the plants in a sunny position in the open air, standing the pots on a bed 

 of ashes, and keep well yet judiciously supplied with water. Before cold rains 

 or autumn frosts injure the plants, transfer 

 them to light shelves or stagings not far from 

 the glass in a greenhouse. They are less liable 

 to be infested with green fly and are certain 

 to flower the most satisfactorily when arranged 

 thinly by themselves in a temperature that 

 seldom exceeds 45° or falls below 35° during 

 the winter, air being admitted freely when- 

 ever external conditions admit of this in 



safety. When the growths are lengthening and branching prior to flowering, 

 support with light stakes, and also afford weak liquid manure frequently. During the 

 flowering period shade from bright sunshine, and if bees can be excluded this will tend 

 to prolong the beauty of the flowers. At this period abundance of moisture must be 

 supplied to the roots. Early in the summer sturdy shoots are often seen which do not 

 elongate for flowering ; these, if taken off and at once inserted singly in small pots of 



l 2 



Fig. 37 



Cutting Down Pelargonium- 

 Thied Year. 



