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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



SELAGINELLAS. 



Selagincllas are frequently, but erroneously, termed Lycopodiums, though both 

 belong to the club mosses. Selaginellas are distinguished from their sturdier allies 

 by the flat two-ranked stem and double two to three-valved fruit. The plants may be 

 said to occupy an intermediate position between ferns and mosses, but resemble the 

 latter rather than the former. They produce spores, but are usually propagated in a 

 different and simpler way. Selaginellas are generally associated with ferns, and when 

 properly grown are as pleasing and attractive as their larger, stronger-growing 

 companions. 



Selaginellas are all easily propagated, and their cultural requirements are of 

 the simplest description. In every case comparatively young plants are the most 

 effective, and the stock should be renewed annually, a number of young plants being 

 prepared in well-drained pots or pans to take the place of the worn-out older ones. 

 They are increased by cuttings of the tops and by portions of the creeping stems, 

 many of which are already furnished with roots when taken off. These will quickly 

 develop into small plants if kept in a close frame with a temperature of 75° to 80° for 

 a time. When well rooted the stronger spreading species may be grown singly in small 

 pots and given a timely shift into larger ones, and those of a spreading, free-rooting 

 nature can be " made up " by placing several together in pots or pans, taking care not 

 to crowd them. A light porous compost, such as may be formed with equal parts of 

 loam, peat, leaf-soil and chopped sphagnum moss, to which sand, broken potsherds, and 

 lumps of charcoal are added, is suitable. Most of the species succeed best in well- 

 drained pans, and these are often used for exhibition specimens. A moderate amount 

 of shade should be afforded the plants. 



After these general remarks, brief allusions to a few of the many species available 

 for cultivation may be given. S. apus, better known as S. apoda, is of a neat, dense, 

 moss-like habit of growth, and of a lively soft-green colour. This should be planted 

 rather closely in pans of raised soil and watered carefully from the sides, as a preven- 

 tive of damping. Greenhouse. S. caulescens, of which amoena, argentea and japonica 

 are desirable varieties, is a stove species, growing to a height of 9 to 12 inches and 

 spreading. S. grandis (Fig. Ill) is known as an elegant stove-plant, attains a height 

 of 18 to 24 inches, branching strongly, and is very effective. S. involvens, of which 



