THE FLOWER GROWER'S- GUIDE. 



already done good service, may be returned to the same size or slightly larger pots 

 than they were in previously, rather than perform the risky operation of giving a shift 

 during the growing season. Younger plants should be returned to pots just large 

 enough to hold the roots, giving them a shift into pots two sizes larger before they 

 become root-bound. 



Allamandas will not flower satisfactorily if trained at a considerable distance from 

 the roof. If wanted for exhibition, raise the pots well up to the glass, top the growths 

 till sufficient are obtained to eventually cover a large globular or balloon-shaped trellis, 

 and train these thinly to wires strained not more than 9 inches from the glass, removing 

 weakly or superfluous side shoots as these form at the points about the flower spikes. 

 When the long growths are taken down train them evenly over the trellises, allowing 

 sufficient time between this important operation and the date of exhibition for the 

 flowers and leaves to assume a more natural position than when first formally trained. 

 Avoid exposing specimen plants to cold winds, as this causes the flowers to flag 

 seriously. A typical exhibition specimen, grown by Mr. C. Lock, is shown in Fig. 126. 



The larger sizes of pots will also answer for roof plants, especially if the roots are 

 allowed to ramble out through the drainage into a bed of ashes or soil underneath. 

 Tubs of the same width, but not so deep, may be substituted for pots with advantage, as 

 in this case the plants are less likely to suffer through lack of moisture at the roots 

 during the flowering period. "Wood does not absorb moisture from the soil and air 

 to the same extent that pots do, and that is why tubs are best for standing in exposed 

 positions. 



Small brick pits are better than either pots or tubs. In one of these 30 inches 

 square and 2 feet deep enough soil can be placed to support a plant covering a super- 

 ficial roof area of from 15 feet to 20 feet square. The walls of these pits should be 

 4| inches wide, and formed with loose bricks only. If the start is made with a much 

 smaller pit than that named, more root room could, if needed, be given the same season 

 by taking down and setting out the wall a brick wider, or this enlargement might be 

 delayed till the next spring. For the first few weeks after re-potting very heavy 

 supplies of water must not be given ; infringing this rule leads to souring the soil, which 

 causes the leaves to assume a sickly yellow colour. After the plants have become 

 well established in the fresh soil abundance of water must be given. It is often needed 

 twice a day in hot weather, varied frequently by liquid manure. A mulching of cow 

 manure or an extra rich top-dressing serves to conserve the moisture, and the roots 



