IXORA—LA SIANDRA. 



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lightly pruning in February. Start them into growth in a moist atmosphere and 

 temperature of 70° to 80 , iucreasing from 5° to 10° as the warm weather approaches. 

 Ixoras revel in strong heat, accompanied by abundance of moisture in the atmos- 

 phere. Before much progress has been made, examine the roots, carefully picking away 

 any old soil unoccupied by them, adding fresh, sweet compost. In cases where the 

 roots are matted together, some of them may be carefully disentangled before transferring 

 to pots just large enough to admit of the roots being surrounded by fresh soil. When 

 the flowering period is reached, apply liquid manure at every second or third watering. 

 After flowering, rest in a temperature of 55° to 65°, and the following February prune 

 and otherwise commence a round of treatment much as advised for young plants. 

 Little or no training is needed, as the growths can be regulated by pruning and 

 topping. 



Ixora Duffi requires to be treated differently from the rest. Plants that flower freely 

 in one season will not do so the following summer, and for this reason, two sets of plants 

 should be kept going, each flowering in alternate years. Those who grow specimens of 

 Ixoras, generally, for exhibition, ought not to wait till their finest plants are showing 

 signs of failing before commencing to raise others to take their place. The best foliage 

 and most gorgeous heads of flowers are produced by the younger specimens. 



Mealy bug and thrips are insect pests that largely contribute towards ruining 

 numerous Ixoras. The plants must be kept free of all insect enemies by methods 

 previously given, supplemented by daily or bi-daily syringings during the growing 

 season. 



LASIANDRA (PLEROMA). 



Although frequently classed as greenhouse plants the less robust Lasiandras are 

 only seen at their best in warmer structures, known as cool stoves or intermediate 

 houses. L. elegans, long known as Pleroma elegans, from the Organ Mountains, is well 

 adapted for training over trellisses, and for furnishing pillars ; flowers rich blue, 

 abundant during May and June. L. macrantha attains a great size, and is only fit 

 for large, - well-heated conservatories, where it may be either trained against walls or 

 allowed to form a large head. Flowers rich deep voilet-purple ; winter. L. m. flori- 

 bunda (Fig. 2), Brazil, is not nearly so vigorous in growth and succeeds best 

 grown in pots to develop naturally, without topping the growths. Flowers large, 

 rich violet-blue. Lasiandras may be propagated by cuttings of firm side shoots, 



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