THE GREENHOUSE AND ITS FLOWERS. 



231 



Ardisia. — Berried plants in the greenhouse afford a 

 pleasing variety to the flowering subjects, and for this 

 reason the Ardisias are very popular. The finest is 

 A. rrenulata, with rich deep green glossy foliage and a 

 profusion of bright scarlet berries which remain on for 

 months. Il is sometimes described as a stove plant, but, 

 although it comes from the West Indies, a warm green- 

 house is generally suitable. [ncrease by seed sown 

 early in the year in a temperature ol about 7odag. fill 

 the seed-pan with a peaty soil, and w hen 1 lie seedlings arc 

 fit to be potted, transfer them singly to small pots, thence 

 polling on in the usual way, until bin. size is reached, 

 which will be ample, as a rule. When in berry the plants 

 may be used in r< 11 mis. 



Balsam. This is a quaint flower of many pleasing shades, 

 the petals forming quite a rosette, and it is surprising that 

 the plants are not more generally grown in the green- 

 house. At one lime there was an elaborate system of stop- 

 ping growth, but this is unnecessary, the wiser plan being 

 to allow the plants to grow naturally. As a rule, one 

 sowing of seed will suffice — namely, in the spring, March 

 — and the seed will germinate readily when the pan or 

 pol in which il is sown is placed upon a gentle hot-bed. 

 When the seedlings are large enough, pol on, until early 

 in rune they may be planted out in the open bed, unless 

 pot culture is desired throughout. Pot on until they are 

 in Sin. size, and use at all limes a good soil — loam mixed 

 with decayed manure and sharp silver sand. Keep the 

 plants near the glass to promote a dwarf growth. The 

 flowers appear upon the main stem, and make a pleasing 

 display when the plants are in vigorous health. balsam 

 culture is so simple that the beginner in gardening may 

 practise il with success. One of the chief points is to get 

 first-class seed. The chief strain or race of Balsams is 

 known as the Camellia-flowered, from the Camellia-like 

 form of the pretty rosettes. This type produces flowers 



BALSAM. 



of large size, very double, and of several shades of colour, 

 ranging from pure white to deep red, in some instances 

 distinct names being bestowed, such as Rosy Queen or 

 Violet Queen. Considerable difference in height exists, 

 the taller plants reaching iSin., whilst the dwarf or 

 miniature-flowered are only cjin. It is the miniature 

 group that is recommended especially for bedding, and in 

 the summer garden the Balsams are welcome lor their 



variety of colours and bushy growth. They should not be 

 planted loo freely, as other things are showier and less 

 apt to suller from cold rains and w inds. 

 Begonias. — Il is agreeable to know thai the Begonia 

 family is becoming popular, particularly the kinds 

 that require a greenhouse. A host of beautiful winter- 

 flowering species, varieties, and hybrids are available, but 



SINGLE BEGONIA. 



even the more recent hybrids, biilliant in colour and long- 

 lasting though they be, are not grown so freely as one 

 would expect, considering their attractiveness and easy 

 culture. The winter-flowering Begonias are certainly 

 neglected. Why, it is difficult to tell, for the majority 

 are wonderfully free, bearing clusters of flowers that may 

 be used when cut, and are attractive upon the plant. 

 Then there are the hybrids, those in particular raised by 

 Messrs. Veitch and Sons, by using the species Socotrana, 

 the result being a delightful set, bright in colour, and able 

 to resist the fogs of winter. Gloire de Sceaux and Gloire 

 de Lorraine, two of the finest kinds raised of recent 

 years, have assisted to rouse some general interest in this 

 greatly neglected family, and it is safe to say that these 

 will be grown largely in the near lulure for market. 

 Doubtless many other hybrids will be raised soon, but 

 there are sufficient beautiful winter and other Begonias to 

 make our plant houses bright with colour during the dull 

 season of the year. The Begonia family forms an extensive 

 group of plants, the members of which may, owing to their 

 distinctive characters, be grouped under several heads. 

 Thus there is the summer-flowering tuberous-rooted class 

 which is now so popular, the winter-blooming with 

 fibrous roots, the numerous forms of B. Rex, remarkable 

 for their beautifully marked leaves, the dwarf kinds of 

 B. semperflorens, now much used for bedding, and lastly, 

 several of the original species which cannot be classed 

 under any of the above headings. Tuberous Begonias have 

 of late years become very popular for bedding, as well as 

 for greenhouse decoration, one great point in their favour 

 being the fact that they are dormant during the winter, 

 when they may be stored in a cellar or anywhere else free 

 from frost, provided extremes of drought or moisture are 

 guarded against. This circumstance tends to make them 

 popular, as glass structures are generally full to over- 

 flowing in the winter. These Begonias may be pro- 

 pagated by cuttings taken in the spring after growth has 

 commenced, putting them singly into small well-drained 

 pots of sandy soil, and keeping them in a close propa- 

 gating case till rooted. This method of increase, which is 

 used for the propagation of individual plants, is not 

 followed so much as formerly, as seedlings are now 

 generally raised. Large bulbs will sometimes push up 

 two or three or even more shoots, and as soon as they 

 start, the tuber may, if needed, be cut up into as many 

 pieces as there are shoots, and being potted they will grow 



