CAUSES OF FAILURE IN EUCHARIS CULTURE. 



100 



parted from (and I do not dispute the fact of its answering well 

 in some places), then take particular care that the resting or 

 drying-off is not commenced before a batch of young leaves have 

 had time to mature. 



Another very frequent cause of failure has still to be touched 

 upon, and that is mealy-bug. If there are any of these pests in 

 the place, it will not be long before they find their way to 

 the Eucharis, and, once established, they are Dot easily got rid of 

 again. We find syringing the Stephanotis and other climbers 

 with clear soot-water an excellent remedy for mealy-bug. and it 

 will keep the upper surface of the foliage of the Eucharis grow- 

 ing underneath quite free from these insects. Syringing with 

 soot-water frequently among the pots and wetting the underside 

 of the leaves also does much good, but it is not quite enough. 

 This remedy, though not complete, is perfectly safe, and that is 

 more than can be said of others too often tried. Either dipping in 

 or sponging with a strong insecticide — notably any with a sus- 

 picion of petroleum about it — is most harmful ; at least it has 

 proved so in my case. The great succulent leaves of the 

 Eucharis are most porous, and, consequently, very susceptible of 

 injury from strong insecticides. It is also my firm belief that 

 the roots are equally tender, and insecticides, finding their way 

 down to them, do much damage. If my experience is any 

 criterion, more Eucharis are badly crippled by remedies applied 

 with a view to getting rid of mealy-bug than from any other 

 cause, not even excepting the mite. If once the foliage is 

 crippled, or the roots destroyed, the Eucharis grower's troubles 

 may be said to have fairly set in. Let me strongly advise that 

 there should be no dipping of the plants infested with mealy-bug 

 in strong insecticides, as it is very certain that anything that is 

 powerful enough to kill the insects will at the same time greatly 

 injure the plants. Sponging the leaves with strong insecticides 

 ought also to be avoided. Sponging is undoubtedly one of the 

 best remedies, only it should be done carefully, thoroughly, and 

 with clean, warm soft water, in which only a small lump of soft 

 soap has been dissolved, or, say, not more than one ounce of soft 

 soap to a gallon of water. A very effective remedy, long since 

 practised by a friend of mine, was to cut off all the leaves and 

 stalks and have a fresh start, and this will answer well if no other 

 occupants of the house are infested with the mealy-bug. 



