86 
PRACTICAL HINTS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF A 
more water than just wliat is sufficient to keep the plants from flagging. Plants tin 
treated are sure to bloom, providing the after treatment is suitable ; if you kee 1 
the young shoots regularly tied down, three-fourths of the bloom buds will go blinc 
but if they are allowed to ramble and remain untrained until the flowers are of son? 
size, no fear need he entertained of the plants progressing in the most satisfactoii .1 
manner. 
The time of introducing the plants into a growing temperature must be governe 
by circumstances, such as the suitableness of your forcing house, and the time tl? 
flowers are wanted. If you want a plant in bloom in April, it must be started ij 
November, for May in December, and for June or July in February. 
The proper method of management in the second or blooming season is this 
Before introducing them to the forcing house remove the branches from the trellis, an 
having ascertained the length, reduce each about one-third ; then with some soap-suc 
and a small brush wash every part of the branches and leaves, and likewise th . 
trellis or trainer ; and re-train the plants, taking care to keep the weakest shoots tl 
the top of the trellis, and the strong ones at the bottom, so as to give one part 
chance of gaining strength and to secure plenty of bloom at the lower part of th 
plant. This being done, remove as much of the surface soil as possible, anl 
replace it with fresh compost, and then plunge the pot in a gentle bottom-heat c ; 
from 65° to 75°, and sprinkle twice or thrice a week with clean tepid water. 
The Stephanotis produces its flowers on the young branches ; and as the strengt 
of the bloom is to a great extent governed by the vigour of the branches, it f 
advisable to force the plants very moderately at first, so as to get them to break at 
robustly as possible. After they get fairly started and have made shoots seven; j 
inches long, the temperature both to the roots and branches must be gradual^ ■ 
increased until the former ranges from 75° to 85°, and the atmospheric heat froi 
65° to 75°, or even 90° with sun heat. These plants delight in a brisk bottom-hea; ( 
and an atmosphere loaded with moisture, and while they are growing freel 
they must be abundantly supplied with clean weak tepid manure- water ; bein 
naturally inhabitants of shady places, a little thin shade thrown over them durin 
bright sunshine will be of benefit to them. In training let the shoots grow thre 
or four feet long before you control them ; then let the points remain loose until the 
grow several feet more before you train them again ; and in this manner you will nc 
only get plenty of bloom, but being able to distribute it, you may have plants regtj 
larly covered with flowers from the pot to the apex of the plant. 
Stephanotis Thouarsii is said to be a very fine plant ; but as we have no 
seen it in bloom, we cannot pronounce positively as to its merits, or whether it is it 
reality very distinct from S. floribunda. It requires the same treatment as the pre 
ceding, but does not bloom quite so freely ; but whether this is the nature of th 
plant, or arises from improper treatment, we at present are not quite able to deter- 
mine. These plants suffer much from the attacks of the red spider and thrips, and ar 
also great favourites with the brown scale and mealy bug ; but if they are properl 
cleaned at the time of introducing them to the forcing house and are copiously syringe*! 
