CIENKO WSKIA—CISSUS. 



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and re-pot in the same size as before. In due course shift into 9-inch pots, and if 

 treated subsequently as advised in the case of young plants, comparatively large 

 specimens will be available for flowering during the winter. 



cienkowskia. — A single species, C. Kirki, represents this genus. It is a native 

 of Zanzibar, and may be briefly described as a stove herbaceous perennial, which 

 produces pale, rosy-purple, sweetly- scented flowers, borne on erect scapes 3 to 

 4 inches long, from July to September. Propagate by division of the roots in February. 

 Compost suitable, equal parts of loam and peat, with a little sharp sand. Supply 

 water freely during the summer, gradually withholding it in the autumn, and rest 

 the plants during the winter. 



cissxjs. — So called from the resemblance to kissos, Ivy, in habit; but in 

 beauty of foliage, no ivy can be said to equal C. discolor, when this species is seen 

 in its best condition. It is a native of Java, and produces insignificant greenish-yellow 

 flowers ; but the long, broad-pointed leaves are very handsome, the upper surface bright 

 velvety- green, spotted or mottled with white, and the under side deep reddish purple. 

 C. porphyrophyllus, Borneo, is coarser and therefore not nearly so beautiful as 

 C. discolor. Propagation is effected by cuttings of young shoots about 2 inches long, 

 with a small heel of old growth attached, and inserted in April round the sides of well- 

 drained pots filled with sandy peat, and placed in a close frame, with bottom 

 and top heat of 70° to 80°. When rooted carefully transfer the young plants singly 

 to small pots, still keeping them in brisk heat, and shaded from strong sun. Move them 

 carefully into larger pots as the plants require more root room, and train the growths 

 round light trellisses. They succeed and colour well in shaded positions. 



The most luxuriant plants with the grandest foliage are grown in narrow, raised 

 borders, and trained up pillars and over roof-girders. The compost suitable for pots 

 or borders consists of two parts fibrous peat, one part light fibrous loam, and one 

 part leaf soil, with charcoal and sand added to insure porosity after the fibre has decayed. 

 For the smaller pots the soil should be made rather fine, but for larger pots and 

 borders the peat and loam ought to be broken up roughly. "When the soil is well 

 occupied with roots, abundance of water and weak liquid manure should be applied. 

 In the autumn the foliage loses its beautiful colouring, and, if water is gradually with- 

 held, many of the leaves will fall. After the plants have been rested in a stove 

 temperature, they should be closely pruned in February and started into active 

 growth. When fresh shoots push, the plants ought to have their roots nearly cleared of 



VOL. II. R R 



