ZONAL PELARGONIUMS. 



79 



plants ought to be grown not far from the glass in warm frames or pits, and should 

 have their shoots topped ; when they are breaking afresh another shift may be given, 

 this time into either 7-inch or 8-inch pots, in which size the bulk may be flowered. At 

 this and previous pottings use a compost similar to that recommended for the show 

 pelargoniums, and do not fail to pot firmly. 



During the summer the plants may be arranged in an open, sunny position outdoors, 

 setting them on boards with a view to preventing roots striking into the ashes or soil 

 underneath. If this precaution is not taken the plants must be frequently turned round 

 to break any roots that may have left the pots. Cease topping after July, keep the 

 plants uniformly moist at the roots, and pinch off all flower buds till near the time 

 for housing, which should be not later than the second or third week in Sep- 

 tember. 



Winter Treatment. — An excess of heat and moisture promotes sappy, flowerless 

 growth, and the other extreme, or an ordinary greenhouse temperature, is also un- 

 suitable, the flowers not expanding properly, and damping is liable to take place. They 

 require to be kept in a temperature ranging from 50° to 60°, and should be disposed 

 thinly on a light staging over, or not far from, the hot- water pipes, or else be raised 

 near the glass on inverted flower-pots. Maintain a dry atmosphere, and give water 

 whenever the soil in the pots approaches dryness, with an occasional supply of clear 

 soot-water or other weak liquid manure. Under this treatment the plants are equal to 

 producing abundance of perfectly formed, highly coloured trusses of flowers during the 

 dullest part of the year. 



Trained Specimens. — Plants for exhibition may be grown much as advised in the 

 case of show pelargoniums. The finest trusses are produced by young plants, or any, 

 say, that are rooted in the summer, and kept growing all through the winter in a warm 

 greenhouse. They ought to be raised up to the glass, have their shoots tied out and 

 topped as often as they are forward enough for this to be done ; moderately large, well- 

 rounded specimens may then be ready for the shows in the summer. No flowers should 

 be left on them till within a month or rather more of the time they are wanted to be at 

 their best. These trained plants may be wintered in a greenhouse or cool vinery, only 

 enough water being given to keep the roots alive and the wood from shrivelling. Early 

 in the year cut back the stems to where the wood is matured and leafless, and 

 re-start into growth in gentle heat. When young shoots are forming, turn the plants 

 out of their pots, reduce the soil considerably, trim the roots, and return to the same 



