36 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



ing. Keep them well supplied with water, varied, when strongly rooted, with liquid 

 manure, and syringe daily. Best them after flowering in a temperature of 55° to 65°, 

 with the soil rather dry. Before they recommence growth, prune the shoots some- 

 what closely, and re-pot, if necessary, a fortnight later. 



thyrsacanthus. — T. rutilans (syn. T. Schomburgkianus), New Grenada, is of 

 stiff, erect growth, and during the winter produces long pendant racemes of crimson 

 tubular flowers. It is propagated by cuttings of young shoots, inserted singly in small 

 pots of sandy soil, under glass, in a temperature of 65° to 75°, from March to July. 

 Gradually shift the plants into 7 -inch pots, using equal parts of loam, peat, leaf soil, 

 and sand, and arrange them for the summer in sunny pits or frames. In September 

 remove them to a light house, having a temperature of 60° to 70°. Old plants may be 

 pruned after flowering, and kept for a second season, but well-grown young plants 

 give the best results. 



tillandsia and VEJESIA. — Vriesias are now grouped with Tillandsia, and together 

 form a large genus, comprising many beautiful species. They are Bromeliaceous plants, 

 with upright and frequently arched leaves, and produce spikes of blue, scarlet, yellow, 

 white, and green flowers, also richly coloured bracts. They are propagated by offsets 

 inserted in small pots of sandy peat, in a temperature of 75° to 85°, in spring. "When 

 well rooted remove to larger pots, using equal parts of loam, peat, leaf soil, and sand. 

 They delight in high temperatures, as well as a moist atmosphere, and should be 

 shaded on bright hot clays. Apply water freely all through the late spring and 

 summer months, also syringe the plants twice daily, but they should be kept drier 

 during the winter ; not, however, to the extent of allowing the soil to become dust dry. 



torenia. — A small genus of annuals and perennials, a few species of which are 

 of good service in beautifying plant stoves and greenhouses during the summer. 

 T. asiatica, India, is of a slender trailing habit of growth ; the flowers are blue, with 

 dark violet lateral lobes, and produced in June. T. flava (syn. T. Bailloni), India, 

 like the preceding, is adapted for growing in baskets ; flowers yellow with a purple 

 eye. T. Fournieri, China, is of a more erect branching growth, attaining a height 

 of 5 to 8 inches ; flowers violet shades and yellow. They may be raised from seeds 

 and propagated by cuttings. Sow the seeds in January or February, thinly, in pans 

 of peaty soil, covering very lightly, and place in a temperature of 55° to 65°. 

 When the seedlings have formed a first "rough" leaf, dibble them an inch or two apart 

 in pans or pots of loam, peat, leaf soil and sand, in equal parts, and keep them growing 



