346 TIIE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 
JUSTICIA SPECIOSA. 
OTWITHSTAXDING that this plant is hardly surpassed 
for easy culture, and that it produces a long succession 
of showy fLiwers in the dead of winter, it is scarcely 
ever met with save in a neglected state — the result, no 
doubt, of its having been long common in collections. 
Its management is so thoroughly easy, that it is hardly necessary 
to make it the subject of an article, and it is chiefly with a view of 
directing the attention of those *to it who are fond of winter-blooming 
plants that it has been selected ; and there can be no doubt that 
amateurs will find it well worth its room, and the little attention 
necessary to grow it well. 
As usually met with, this Justicia presents a leggy, naked appear- 
ance, and it is frequently seen in this state where better things 
might be expected ; but this is entirely the result of bad treatment, 
for the habit of the plant is good, although, like other free-growing 
subjects, it is apt to lose its bottom leaves and become leggy, under 
bad management. Cuttings root in a few weeks inserted in a sandy 
soil, and placed in a gentle bottom-heat ; but, in order to secure 
large specimens for blooming after a season’s growth, the cuttings 
should be put in about August, or so as to allow of having them 
rooted and well established in small pots before winter. They should 
be potted off singly in small pots as soon as they are fairly rooted, 
and placed near the glass in a moist, rather shady part of the stove, 
or a warm pit, pinching out the points of the shoots as soon as the 
roots get hold of the soil, and stopping must be attended to during 
the growing season. 
In winter place the young plants in any roomy situation near the 
glass where the temperature may range towards 50 Q , and keep them 
properly supplied with water at the root. About the beginning of 
March, or as soon after this time as convenient, remove them to where 
a growing temperature of about 60° is maintained by artificial means, 
allowing it to rise 10° or 15° with sun-heat and air. Shortly after 
placing the plants in heat, give them a moderate shift, using about 
equal portions of good rich turfy loam, peat, thoroughly decomposed 
cow-dung, or leaf-soil, and sharp sand, well intermixed together. As 
soon after potting as the roots appear to have started into the fresh 
soil, stop the shoots, and tie them nicely out, keeping them well 
down, which will have the effect of causing the bottom buds to start 
into growth, and inducing a bushy habit of growth to begin with. 
As the season advances, and the plants get into free growth, give 
air freely on mild days, and keep them near the glass. Towards 
May they will probably have filled their pots with roots, and may 
then be afforded a liberal shift ; and this should not be neglected 
until the plants suffer for the want of pot-room, and lose their foliage. 
The same attention to tying out the shoots will be necessary, as 
recommended after the previous shift, and the plants should be well 
supplied with water at the root, and also moistened over-head with 
the syringe on the afternoons of fine days. When summer weather 
