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ON THE CULTIVATION OF PLEROMA ELEGANS. 
In common with the generality of Melastomads , the present species of Pleroma is a 
vigorous grower, requiring an extensive rooting medium, and must, therefore, be duly 
supplied with a pot of considerable dimensions, if large and handsome specimens are a 
desideratum ; and although, as may be inferred from the allusions already made to the 
watering part of the subject, the exercise of no inconsiderable amount of practical 
skilfulness is requisite in the appliance of fluid auxiliaries with success, and in accordance 
with the object in view, it must be well borne in mind that the root supply of fluid when 
the plant is in a vigorous growing state must be copious and unrestricted, and moreover, 
occasional applications of well-diluted liquid manure, when once the flower-buds are 
apparent, will be found highly beneficial to the specimen and its crop of flowers ; for 
while a considerable enhancement of ultimate vigour will certainly ensue from a little 
extra stimulation of a period when the energies of vegetation are most severely taxed, 
the inflorescence, so far from one iota of its splendour being detracted from, will derive 
greater intensity of colouring, as well as amplification, in consequence. 
By the foregoing remarks, then, it will readily be perceived that the method of high 
temperature ordinarily adopted in the cultivation of Pleroma elegans, is far from being 
appropriate ; and from what has also been advanced in reference to the usual course of 
stove culture, and recommendations, which on its first introduction to the notice of 
cultivators indicated its suitableness for the stove, and the stove for it, it will be also seen 
with equal clearness that from the limited knowledge and experience which those who 
introduced it, as well as those who cultivated it at that time, had of its real habits and 
requirements, “ everybody ” thought it was a stove-plant and therefore like the majority 
of its congeners very reasonably treated it as one. 
In consonance with the principles and practical directions for the successful culture of 
this fine exotic, which the preceding observations embody, a specimen (which has attained 
the ultimatum of perfection, as far as we have yet met with a “ specimen ” of it), was a 
short time since brought to our notice in Messrs. Kollisson’s Nursery at Tooting,* com- 
posing a dense, compactly grown, dwarf, well-managed bush, nearly a yard in diameter, 
and about 2 feet high ; the shoots sturdy, short-jointed, hard, and of a healthy brown 
colour, profusely clad with good foliage, and no less a number than four hundred equally 
healthy, prominent flower-buds, some of which were about to unfold ; and from what we 
have seen elsewhere, we believe this to be an unrivalled “ specimen of the most perfect 
cultivation,” which had evidently been in subjection to the conditions most essential to the 
attainment of so great a desideratum, and indeed we were apprised that such was the case. 
Hitherto we have not seen this plant at any of the exhibitions, which is doubtless to 
be accounted for from the circumstance of its not coming into flower, even in. the hands of 
the few who know how to flower it, until too late for being produced ; but the absence of 
so great an ornament is really to be deplored, and we trust the skilful “ plant-growers,” 
around the metropolis especially, will turn their attention to so fine a plant. 
Perhaps a gentle excitement in early spring in a very moderately warm pit, until the 
shoots are an inch or two in length, and after-removal to a colder structure, would go far 
towards the accomplishment of this object, which we think would be more likely to be 
attended with successful results by the possession of a reserve of specimens, to be 
alternately divested of a large proportion of the inflorescence, and every facility put in 
requisition to ensure the early ripening process of the wood in the season preceding the 
exhibition the specimen is to be produced at : or if cultivators themselves are enabled to 
attain the object in view, without this sacrifice and the bestowal of extra trouble, by all means 
let them do so ; the writer of these directions does not presume to more, they at most are 
but suggestions, and merely adduced as a few general hints to be improved upon, and turned to 
practical account by those who best know how, when, and where to employ and apply them. 
While the remarks that have been made, however, are intended to exhibit what I 
trust will, in practice, be found to comprise the essential elements of good cultivation in 
reference to the production of compact bushy specimens, alike suitable for the greenhouse, 
stage, and exhibition tent, I do not intend Pleroma elegans to be deemed unsusceptible 
* Since writing this article we understand the fine specimen alluded to has been forwarded to the Continent. 
