54 
GENERAL CULTURE OF STOVE PLANTS. 
during the time of flowering require a liberal supply of water to their roots, but 
sometimes perish if the atmosphere be very humid, and at all other seasons except 
at the times of flowering, require nearly the same treatment as the first kind. 
11. The first kind includes the stove species of Cacti, Euphorbia, Mesembryan- 
tlxemum, &c, &c. Particulars of culture cannot be detailed here, as every genus 
differs more or less in habit, and so the culture must more or less vary : but as a 
general rule, all the Cacti, Euphorbia, and plants of that kind, should be potted in 
loam and peat, or sandy loam alone, and have about a fourth part of lime rubbish 
added to it ; and in other respects should be treated as recommended vol. 1. page 49. 
The Mesembryanthemum, Crassula, &c, require to be potted in a good rich, light 
soil, and will bear a greater supply of water than the other. The manner of 
propagation is much the same in both : — the cuttings striking best when the wound 
made by the knife or other means in separating is dried up and healed. 
12. The second kind includes the plants like Gesneria, Gloxinia, &c. The best 
soil for these is sandy loam and peat, with a little very rotten dung mixed. At 
the season of full growth, they will bear a good supply of water, but after flowering 
they should be moved into a cooler situation, and have a small portion given to 
them for a week or two : afterwards keep them quite dry, till the tops have died 
down ; let them remain so until nearly the time for starting again, then cut off the 
tops, shake the roots from the soil, and plant each strong one singly in a pot, and 
the smaller ones two or three in a pot, filled with the above compost, and place them 
in the stove again. They are propagated by cuttings and single leaves, which may 
be planted either in sand or mould, plunged, and be covered with a bell glass. 
Some of them also produce seeds. 
13. Damp stove plants.— The many genera coming under this head require a 
little variation in their treatment, arising from the habits and peculiarities of each ; 
yet the general course of management is much the same in all. 
14. The soil best suited for their growth is composed of light sandy loam, (the 
top spit from a pasture,) leaf mould, and peat, in the proportion of one half of the 
former, to one fourth of each of the latter, which should be thrown together from 
three to six months before using, that the turf may be well rotted. 
15. This soil should not be sifted previous to using, but be well broken to pieces; 
for sifting, though necessary in some cases of plant culture, will not suit plants in 
general, for, by removing the fibrous particles from the soil, it is apt to set hard in 
the pots, and become uncongenial for the growth of the tender roots. 
16. The usual times of potting are from the middle of March to the middle of 
April, and from the beginning to the end of September. But the best plan is to 
constantly look through the plants, and repot all that require it, at any time ; for 
if the roots once become matted in the pots, the plants receive a check in their 
growth, from which they will require some time to recover. 
17- In potting, always give a good drainage with broken pots, for although many 
plants require a liberal supply of water, yet stagnation is generally injurious. To 
prevent the soil from washing into the broken pots at the bottom, lay immediately 
over them a little of the fibrous portion of the soil. 
18. Hard-baked pots are always injurious, and should, therefore, never be used ; 
