376 



MANUAL OF GARDENING 



Gloxinias must have a uniform moist and warm atmosphere and 

 protection from the sun. They will not stand abuse or varying con- 

 ditions. Propagated often by leaf-cuttings, which should give flower- 

 ing plants in one year. From the leaf, inserted half its length in the 

 soil (or sometimes only the petiole inserted) a tuber arises. This tuber, 

 after resting until midwinter or later, is planted, and flowering plants 

 soon arise. 



Gloxinias also grow readily irom seeds, which may be germinated 

 in a temperature of about 70°. Flowering plants may be had in August 

 if seeds are sown in late winter, say in early February. This is the 

 usual method. After the bloom is past, the tuber is partially dried 

 off and kept dormant till the following season. It will usually show 

 signs of activity in February or March, when it may be shaken out of 

 the old earth and a little water may then be applied and the amount 

 increased till the plant is in bloom. The same tubers may be bloomed 

 several times. 



Success in the growing of gloxinias is largely a matter of proper 

 watering. Keep the dormant tuber just dry enough to prevent 

 shriveling, never trying to force it ahead of its time. Avoid wetting 

 the leaves. Protect from direct sunlight. Protect from draughts on 

 the plants. 



Grevillea. — The ''she oak," very graceful greenhous3 plant, suit- 

 able also for house culture. The plants grow freely from seed, and until 

 they become too large are as decorative as ferns. Grevifleas are really 

 trees, and are valuable in greenhouses and rooms only in their young 

 state. They withstand much abuse. They are now very popular 

 as jardiniere subjects. Seeds sown in spring will give handsome 

 plants by the next winter. Discard the plants as soon as they become 

 ragged. 



Hollyhocks. — These old garden favorites have been neglected of 

 late years, primarily because the hollyhock rust has been so preva- 

 lent, destroying the plants or making them unsightly (see pp. 183, 210). 



Their culture is very simple. The seed is usually sown in July or 

 August, and the plants set where wanted the following spring. They 

 will bloom the same year in which they are transplanted — the year 



