356 



MANUAL OF GARDENING 



straggling growths, and repotted. Set them in a frame or in a semi- 

 shaded place during summer, and see that they make a good growth. 

 The wood should be well ripened in the fall. After cold weather sets 

 in, keep the Indian or evergreen kinds half dormant by setting them 

 in a cool, dull-lighted cellar or pit, bringing them in when wanted for 

 bloom. The Ghent or deciduous kinds may be touched with frost 

 without injury; and they may be kept in a cellar until wanted. 



Begonias are familiar tender bedding and house plants. Next to 

 the 'geranium, begonias are probably the most popular for house cul- 

 ture of the entire plant hst. The ease of culture, great variety of kinds, 

 profusion of bloom or richness of foliage, together with their adap- 

 tability to shade, make them very desirable. 



Begonias may be divided into three sections: the fibrous-rooted 

 class, which contains the winter-flowering, branching kinds; the rex 

 forms, or beefsteak geraniums, having large ornamental leaves; the 

 tuberous-rooted, those that bloom through the summer, the tuber rest- 

 ing in the winter. 



The fibrous-rooted kinds may be propagated by seed or cuttings, the 

 latter being the usual method. Cuttings of half-ripened wood root 

 easily, making a rapid grow^th, the plants flowering in a few months. 



The rex type, having no branches, is propagated from the leaves. 

 The large mature leaves are used. The leaf maybe cut into sections, 

 having at the base a union of two ribs. These pieces of leaves may 

 be inserted in the sand as any other cutting. Or a whole leaf may be 

 used, cutting through the ribs at intervals and laying the leaf fiat on 

 the propagating bench or other warm, moist place. In a short time 

 young plants having roots of their own will form. These may be potted 

 when large enough to handle, and will soon make good plants (Fig 125). 



Rex begonias usually grow little during winter, and they should 

 therefore be kept fairly dry and no effort made to push them. Be sure 

 that the pots are well drained, so that the soil does not become sour. 

 New plants — those a year or so old — are usually most satisfactory. 

 Keep them away from direct sunlight. An insidious disease of rex 

 begonia leaves has recently made its appearance. The best treatment 

 yet known is to propagate fresh plants, throwing away the old stock 

 and the dirt in which it is grown. 



