GESNERA— NjEGELIA . 



341 



it must be borne in mind that large plants strongly rooted in comparatively small 

 pots require, and must have, abundance of water and liquid manure both before and 

 during the flowering periods. Shade from strong sunshine and syringe the foliage in the 

 mornings of, and again when the houses are closed on, bright days. All through the 

 growing season, high temperatures (75° to 85°) should prevail ; but during the winter 

 months, when the plants are resting, 60° to 65° suffice. Bushy plants 2 feet and upwards 

 in height may be grown in one season, and these give better results than do plants three or 

 four years old. Those who prefer to keep their old plants should prune them moderately 

 in the spring directly after they have expanded the first blooms. When fresh growth 

 commences, reduce the soil and roots somewhat, and transfer to pots a size larger than 

 they were in before, afterwards treating as advised for one-year-old plants. 



Gardenias are sometimes planted in beds of soil over bottom-heat pipes with good 

 results. The start should be made with young plants, as these soon root into the soil, 

 whereas large plants not unfrequently fail to produce roots freely, and therefore cannot 

 flourish. If head-room is limited, train the growths so as to form a level hedge-like 

 surface. When they give signs of failing, clear out both the plants and soil and start 

 afresh in preference to trying to restore the lost health of the old plants. 



Mealy bug is the greatest enemy Gardenia growers have to contend with, and if 

 this pest cannot be kept under, it is useless to keep the plants. The methods of 

 getting rid of mealy bug, and also brown scale, another troublesome insect, are fully 

 described on page 263. 



GrESNERA AND KEGELIA. 



The dividing line between these two sections of the Gesnera family is so very fine 

 that, for all practical purposes, they may well be included under one heading. The 

 plants are easily grown, and several of the species and varieties decidedly beautiful, both 

 in foliage and flowers, and might with advantage be more extensively cultivated. With 

 judicious selection, a good display can be made in warm greenhouses in the summer and 

 in stoves during the autumn and winter months. 



Gesnera or Nsegelia cinnabarina, Mexico, attains a height of 2 feet, forms large 

 broad leaves, green, beautifully shaded with flame-coloured hairs ; flowers scarlet with 

 a light throat, borne on long spikes in winter. G. Donckelaariana, Columbia, height 1 

 to 2 feet, leaves 8 inches across, green, tinged with purple and red ; flowers bright 

 vermilion in terminal heads in summer. G. pyramidalis, Garden Hybrid ; handsome 



