3 28 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



marked, and treated similarly to stem 

 cuttings, which in fact they are, the 

 stem dividing, elongating, and swelling 

 within the soil. 



Dracsenas are of the most service 

 when from 1 to 2 feet high and well 

 furnished with leaves down to the 

 soil. For this class of plants 5-inch 

 and 6 -inch pots are large enough, but 

 if taller specimens are desired a shift 

 into 8-inch or 9-inch pots should be 

 given before the roots become much 

 matted together, or an early loss of 

 the lower leaves will follow, and the 

 plants spoiled. A compost of two 

 parts peat to one of loam and sand, 

 not breaking up the peat too finely, 

 is suitable for Dracaenas. The young 

 plants will make the best progress if 

 arranged somewhat thinly on an ash 



or spar-covered 



staging along 



the fronts of forcing - houses and 

 ordinary plant stoves. After they 

 have well occupied the soil with roots, 

 they must have abundance of water, 

 weak clear liquid manure being of 

 great service in maintaining the health 

 and colouration of the plants for a long 

 time in small pots. A free use of the 

 syringe tends to keep the leaves free 

 from insect pests, but a timely spong- 

 ing with soapy water is further 

 needed occasionally on the first signs 

 of the presence of mealy bug or thrips. Plants intended for the summer decoration of 



Fig. 150. Drachma Saxderiana. 



