WINTER-FLOWERING AND EVERGREEN BEGONIAS. 



195 



table of more and stronger colours in the tuberous-rooted section 

 of winter-flowering Begonias on the one side, and the Bex or 

 coloured-leaved section, combined with better flowers, on the 

 other, and at no very distant date this evergreen branch of the 

 family will, in my opinion, form a more important feature in our 

 conservatories during the dull months of the year than many of 

 us at present anticipate. 



The cultivation of most of the winter-flowering varieties is 

 very easy and simple. The same compost (with perhaps one 

 part more peat or leaf-mould) required for Zonal Pelargoniums 

 and Fuchsias will be found most suitable for their growth. 

 They require a temperature of 55° to 70°, and particular atten- 

 tion should be given to their having as much light as possible, 

 which means, in other words, that the plants should be kept 

 quite close to the glass during the early stages of growth, on 

 account of the tendency of most of the varieties to make rather 

 long shoots. This point is, I think, one that should be more 

 generally observed by amateurs in growing most plants, and for 

 the same reason small span-roofed houses are by far the best for 

 soft-wooded plants in winter, or, indeed, at all seasons of the 

 year. Solid earth stages are decidedly to be preferred ; but 

 if these cannot be had, the wooden stages may at least be 

 covered over with thin slates, and then surfaced with shells, 

 sand, or ashes. Keeping the plants scrupulously clean is 

 another important item, as the flow T ers, and foliage too, are 

 very impatient of being fumigated with tobacco. Cuttings 

 taken from clean, healthy plants, free from insects and rust, 

 strike readily during the summer in any propagating box, and if 

 potted-on as they require root-room they will make fine plants 

 for late winter-flowering. When well established, weak liquid 

 manure should be given once a week, particular care being taken 

 that it is not given too strong, which is a very common mistake 

 with young gardeners, who often seem to think that if a little is 

 good a lot must be better, than which there could be no greater 

 error. 



Regarding varieties, I will confine myself to those of the 

 greatest floricultural value and effect. 



B. nitida (syns. obliqiia and purpurea) has shiny, dark green 

 foliage, and produces fine flowers in large clusters of a silvery 

 blush, and is one of the most useful of its class. 



