PA ULLINIA — PELLIONIA —PENT A S. 



that is to say, they must have abundance of water and liquid manure after they have 

 well occupied the soil with roots. Eich top-dressings should be applied to those appear- 

 ing to need extra assistance. Syringe freely every day during the growing period, to 

 keep them free of their worst insect enemy — the mealy bug. 



patjllinia. — P. thalictrifolia, a species from Eio de Janeiro, with elegant thalictrum- 

 like leaves and small pink flowers in clusters, is rightly described as a beautiful stove 

 evergreen twiner. It is propagated by cuttings of firm shoots] 2 to 3 inches long, 

 inserted in small pots of sandy soil, under a bell-glass in a temperature of 75° to 85°, at 

 any time. Pot in equal parts of loam and leaf soil, with a little sand. Train the plants 

 round a wire trellis or up pillars. Prune lightly in February, and soon after give the 

 plants larger pots. Syringe daily, and keep the plants well supplied with water, 

 especially during the growing and flowering seasons. 



pavetta. — Two species of this genus of evergreen shrubs are recommended for 

 culture in plant stoves. P. borbonica, Isle of Bourbon, is cultivated solely for the 

 beauty of its leaves. These are 6 to 10 inches in length; ground colour olive green, 

 thickly studded all over the surface with white spots, midrib bright salmon-red. P. 

 indica, India, is a flowering species, producing white Ixora-like flowers in terminal 

 panicles. For cultural instructions see Ixora, page 1. 



pellionia. — Included among Pellionias, a genus of stove creeping herbs, are two 

 species with claims to attractiveness. P. Daveauna, Cochin China, flowers green, leaves 

 dark bronzy greeu slightly tinted with violet, is a charming creeper. P. pulchra, Cochin 

 China, has creeping stems dull purplish in colour, and leaves blackish on the upper 

 surface, delicate purplish underneath. They are propagated by cuttings of creeping 

 shoots, inserted in sandy soil in small pots, covering with glass in a temperature of 75° 

 to 85° in spring ; also by division of the plants in March or April. Plant on the surface 

 of beds or rockeries under staging, or in pans of loam and leaf soil. 



pentas. — Eoom ought to be found in most stoves for a few plants of Pentas. They 

 are evergreen sub-shrubs, which can be had in flower throughout the greater part of the 

 year. The flowers are not particularly showy, but they are distinct in colour and fairly 

 attractive. P. carnea, South Africa, is of compact growth, 12 to 18 inches high ; 

 flowers flesh-coloured, in numerous large, cymose heads. P. c. kermesina differs from the 

 type only in the colour of its flowers — a lively carmine-rose. Cuttings of young shoots, 

 2 to 3 inches long, inserted in pots of sandy peaty soil, in a propagating frame with a 

 temperature of 70° to 80°, root freely. When commencing growth, top the young 



VOL. III. D 



