MARKET PLANTS.— PALMS— PELARGONIUMS. 



327 



them without damaging the roots during the process of potting. This plan is also 

 systematically adopted with Cocos Wcddelliana, thereby forming bushy examples for 

 decorating. Seaforthia elegans is frequently grown three in a pot, but although 

 improved in appearance they do not appear to sell particularly well. Established palms 

 generally are greatly assisted by frequent applications of soot water, varied by an 

 occasional surfacing of native guano or other mild manure. Thus treated, the larger 

 plants need not be re-potted for several 

 years, but the soil must never get dry, or 

 the leaves will turn pale and gradually 

 wither away. 



PELARGONIUMS. 



Show (Fig- 188) and Fancy pelargoniums 

 are fast losing their hold upon the affections 

 of the community. One, and probably the 

 principal, reason for this is traceable to the 

 plants being particularly liable to be in- 

 fested by aphides, although these can be 

 kept under in greenhouses. There is yet a 

 good demand for the large and free-flower- 

 ing, Eegal or Decorative, kinds ; of these, 

 plants in 5-inch pots, and just coming into 

 flower, realise 7s. to 9s. per dozen, larger, 

 older plants being worth rather more. 



Cuttings of firm, sturdy, flowerless 

 shoots, about 3 inches long, are taken before the plants are sold, and inserted singly in 

 2J-inch pots filled with sandy loam, and, if placed in frames, or on shelves in a plant 

 house, are not slow in emitting roots. Top early to induce branching, and soon after- 

 wards give the plants a shift into 5-inch pots. During the winter, light stages and 

 shelves near the glass, and an ordinary greenhouse temperature, suits them. If 

 larger plants are desired, top the young shoots, and a little later give another shift. A 

 few sturdy shoots, however, which branch freely and flower strongly, are preferable to 

 a greater number of feebler shoots that require staking. Liquid manure should be 

 applied frequently to plants well established, and nicotine fumes will destroy green fly 



