29 
CULTURE OF THE HELIOTROPIUM PERUVIANUM. 
To propagate this fragrant exotic with success, cuttings must be taken from the 
parent about the latter end of February, or beginning of March, and planted in pots 
of rich garden soil, and plunged in a strong hotbed or bark-pit, removing all decayed 
leaves, &c., as they appear, or they will affect the whole. In two or three weeks, 
when the cuttings have grown, they must be removed to an airy part of the hot- 
house for a few days, to harden previous to potting. If a succession of flowering 
plants through the autumn and winter months are wanted, more cuttings should be 
put in during May and June. 
If they are intended to be kept in pots, provide some good soil, composed of one 
part good maiden loam, one of good rotten dung, half the quantity of sandy peat, 
and a little prepared leaf or vegetable mould ; the whole must be well chopped, and 
incorporated together, but not sifted ; pot oif the cuttings in forty-eight sized pots, 
allowing as much soil to adhere to their roots as possible ; cover these balls of roots 
about a quarter of an inch deep, pinch off the extreme ends of the plants to cause 
them to grow bushy, and after giving them a watering, place them in a shady part 
of the stove till they have taken root, then remove them into a more exposed 
situation, and give them plenty of air and water. Due attention must always be 
paid to potting them as often as the roots appear to mat, or the plants will soon 
assume a sickly hue. When in bloom, remove them to the greenhouse or con- 
servatory, where they will continue to flower the greatest part of the year. When 
they have done flowering, set them in a cool part of the greenhouse, until the 
following February, when they should be cut down, their balls reduced, and repotted 
in the compost. When potted, they should be placed in a hotbed to produce 
healthy shoots for propagation, after which the old stools may either be turned into 
the flower-borders or thrown away, as young plants raised every year are to be 
much preferred for flowering in pots. 
But if the Heliotropes are grown purposely for the flower-garden, cuttings put 
in during the month of September, potted off into small pots, kept in a close frame 
and well protected from cold nights, by means of mats or long litter, until the 
following spring, is considered the best method. Harden them by gradual exposure 
to the open air, so that by the middle of May they will bear to be planted out in 
beds, composed of a good mellow rich earth. Should cold nights happen after the 
plants are turned out (which is sometimes the case), they must be defended by 
means of hoops and mats, or canvass ; if thus protected, they will grow and flower 
freely in favourable seasons, until the chilly nights of autumn give a check to their 
vigour : they should then be taken up with their balls entire, and potted in good 
sized pots. If placed in the stove, and shaded for a few days, they will continue to 
flower down to Christmas, when a few cuttings may be taken from them for 
early propagation, and the old plants thrown away. 
