300 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



scarlet, produced on the tops of the branches ; March. It is propagated by cuttings of firm 

 young shoots, inserted in sandy peat, and covered with glass in a temperature of 75°. 

 Pot in a mixture of fibrous loam, peat, and sand. Apply water in abundance from 

 April till September, afterwards more sparingly, though not to the extent of keeping the 

 soil in a dust-dry state. Ordinary stove treatment. 



CALADIUM. 



For the adornment of plant stoves and well-heated conservatories, Caladiums have 

 long been highly popular, but attractive as were the old varieties, they are completely 

 eclipsed by the many and beautiful forms introduced of late years. Both British and 

 Continental growers have been successful in raising large numbers remarkable for 

 the markings and colouring of their leaves, dwarf as well as tall-growing varieties 

 being represented. A few species are classed as evergreen, but these are not 

 valued, attention being diverted to the cultivation of the herbaceous or tuberous- 

 rooted section, most of which are hybrids raised principally from C. bicolor — a species 

 introduced from Brazil in 1773. 



Propagation is effected by division of the tubers in February or March. "When top 

 and root-growth commence, and before leaves are showing, large tubers may be cut 

 into as many pieces as there are well separated crowns, taking care not to damage the 

 roots. After coating the wounds with -dry sand, place each division in a pot large 

 enough to hold it properly, employing a mixture of equal parts loam, peat, and leaf 

 soil, with a liberal addition of sharp sand. Arrange them on a moist stage or bed over 

 hot- water pipes, and syringe twice daily, not watering till the third or fourth day. The 

 roots will soon take possession of the soil, and before they become matted together 

 transfer the plants to clean, well-drained pots, two sizes larger than they were in before, 

 using a slightly enriched compost. When growing strongly they should have abundance 

 of water and liquid manure, and the plants must not be crowded together, as this 

 weakens and draws out their stems unduly. They require shade from bright sun. 

 For house decoration and grouping for effect, plants with only one or two crowns 

 are preferable to heavier or more dense specimens of the strong-growing varieties ; but 

 this remark does not apply to the smaller-leaved forms, notably the chaste, silvery 

 C. argyrites and rich Chelsea Gem (Fig. 139). 



In the autumn the plants, generally, lose their freshness, and when no longer 

 ornamental, water should be gradually withheld from them, and the leaves will die down. 



