GARDENIA. 



339 



obtained from nurseries. Francisceas may be propagated by inserting cuttings 2 to 3 

 inches long, from February onwards, in pure sand, under a bell-glass in a temperature of 

 60° to 70°. When rooted place them singly in small pots, using sandy peat soil. Keep 

 the plants growing in moist heat, and gradually shift them into larger sizes. Top 

 to make them branch. When they have attained to a flowering size, harden the wood 

 by exposure to the sun in a drier atmosphere and cooler night temperature, this 

 causing them to form flower buds. What little pruning is necessary to keep the 

 plants shapely should be done after flowering ; this is also the period for re-potting, 

 should this be needed, in a compost four parts each of coarse fibrous peat and leaf soil, 

 one part fibrous loam with a little sharp sand and a sprinkling of fine charcoal. Pot 

 firmly. Syringe the plants freely from March to August, and at no time ought 

 they to become dust dry at the roots. Mealy bug and thrips are their worst enemies, 

 and must be kept under. (See Index for coloured plate.) 



GARDENIA. 



Gardenias or Cape Jasmines are remarkable alike for the purity of their flowers and 

 their powerful yet pleasing fragrance. Given the right treatment they can be had in 

 flower during the greater portion of the year, and where there is a demand for choice 

 flowers suitable for buttonholes, bouquets and glasses, gardenias ought to be grown 

 according to the requirements. G. citriodora is of a dwarf, stocky habit, and during the 

 early part of the year affords a profusion of small, white, citron-scented flowers, which 

 in a bud-state may be used as a substitute for orange blossom. G. florida (the double 

 form) is of a free-branching habit of growth, both flowers and foliage being of medium 

 size. It is perhaps the most continuous blooming of all, and the easiest to cultivate. 

 G. f. Fortunei is stronger and less bushy than the preceding, while the blooms are larger 

 and fewer in number. G. f. intermedia (Fig. 155) is intermediate between the two, 

 and a most desirable variety. G. radicans and the larger form of it G. r. major, 

 succeed in a lower temperature than the others; habit compact, flowers of medium size 

 and strongly scented. G. Stanleyana (Eandia maculata) produces long-tubed flowers 

 from the axils of the leaves, whereas the true gardenias are terminal flowering. It 

 succeeds under the same treatment. 



All Gardenias may be easily propagated by cuttings of side shoots 2 to 3 inches 

 long, inserted either singly in small pots or thinly round the sides of larger, fixing them 

 firmly in sandy peat. Plunge the pots in brisk hot-bed, in a frame or cover with a bell- 



