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NOTICES ON THE CULTURE OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS 
IN THE 
PRINCIPAL NURSERIES IN THE VICINITY OF LONDON. 
On the Treatment of Passiflora Loudoniana and P. kermesina. 
These two extremely beautiful species of one of the most interesting genera 
of stove-climbing plants with which we are acquainted, have recently been the 
subjects of some erroneous impressions in the horticultural world, and many culti- 
vators have been disposed to recommend for them a situation in the greenhouse, 
instead of retaining them in the department usually assigned to them — the stove. 
As we have seen them cultivated in the London nurseries under a great variety of 
circumstances, and in both of the situations above alluded to, we may perhaps be 
allowed to state the effects of the different systems of treatment, and deduce from 
thence the most convincing proofs as to which is most congenial. 
The oldest and best known of the above two species (P. kermesina) has 
always, as far as our observation extends, been assigned a place in the stove ; but 
P. Loudoniana having been recently introduced to our collections, and some culti- 
vators having discovered that the leaves of the latter species (from a cause which 
they appear to have entirely overlooked) assumed a sickly and morbid appearance 
when kept in a stove, they have been induced to remove both the species to the 
greenhouse ; and, as we conceive, without due reflection, have recommended the 
practice for general adoption. 
That such a system of treatment is radically erroneous in principle, and would 
prove seriously injurious in practice, we have received ample testimony, and shall 
now proceed to lay it before our readers. And as it materially affects the health 
and beauty of two of the most ornamental of all stove plants, it cannot be con- 
sidered unworthy of notice. 
The principles upon which the successful cultivation of the above two plants 
depends, are heat, moisture, and shade. We assert this from actual experience, as 
well likewise as from analogy and the evident natural habits of the species. Heat 
and moisture are perhaps the least necessary of the three, and should be applied in 
equal proportions the one to the other ; but they are very far from being useless, or 
even unnecessary, and from repeated and long-continued observation we consider 
them absolutely essential. Shade is, however, of much greater importance, and it 
is to a want of a knowledge of this, or the lack of a disposition to apply it, that 
cultivators have mainly to attribute any ill success they may have experienced. 
Thus much premised, it may be asked whether these necessary principles can 
be afforded in a greenhouse. That heat and moisture are incompatible with the 
usual treatment of greenhouse plants, every person must be prepared to admit ; 
and that shading would be highly prejudicial to most of the plants usually culti- 
vated in a greenhouse, must likewise be well known. In very extensive collections, 
