THE G A R D E X :M A G A Z I X E 
November, 1916 
13 () 
Tuberous Begonia Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum) Butterfly plant (Schizanthus) Geranium (Zonal Pelargonium) Cyclamen 
weeks from time of -sowing seeds to seedlings 
large enough for transplanting. Generally 
six months elapse before first flowers are borne, 
when they may be set out in a partly shaded 
position. 1 hey will bloom all summer, in 
pots or outdoors, but care should be taken 
not to wet the foliage when watering the 
plants. Toward fall, reduce water supply, 
dr\' off gradually, lift bulbs in October, rest 
until December, and pot again for winter 
growth and spring bloom. 
CiNER.XRi.-\s are very much misunderstood 
and underestimated house plants. Because 
the seeds are rather small and one does not 
often see the plants except in florists’ windows, 
the public at large gets the erroneous impression 
that they are “hard to raise.’’ Quite the con- 
trary! They are easily started, grow like 
weeds, are of considerable hardiness and bloom 
for anybody. Just keep them growing — like 
a tomato! Water occasionally with liquid 
manure. Keep the plants cool. I have 
known frost to hit young Cinerarias and freeze 
the leaves stiff. Liberal sprinkling with 
cold w-ater thawed them out and they turned 
out the most rugged plants ever. If green or 
white flies appear, sprinkle with a solution of 
tobacco water or dip the plants in it. Sown 
in November they are ready to be shifted in 
two weeks. When three or four leaves have 
formed, transplant into 2-inch pots. At the 
end of March they should begin to bloom and 
they keep on blooming for the best part of 
two months. 
Cycl.’\me.n, to thrive to perfection, wants “a 
cool head and warm feet.” Sown in March, 
they are generally ready for first move in six 
weeks. By end of .May they may be shifted 
into 2-mch pots. Keep them growing lively 
by watering with liquid manure once a week. 
\\ hene\ er vou transplant them, keep plants 
a little warmer. If premature blossoms appear, 
pull them off and shift the plants to larger 
pots. By Cl'iristmas they should bloom and 
they will keep at it all winter. Toward spring 
dry off plants gradually by reducing water 
supply and keep roots dormant for three 
months. Then pot them again for another 
year’s bloom, being careful to let half of root 
or bulb stick out above the surface of the soil. 
Ger.\NIUMS differ from the other plants in 
that the seedlings come up with one straight 
stem, like young onions. \\’hen three inches 
high, pinch back to encourage side shoots. 
As compared with others, keep rather dry. 
Give lots of sun. In four months from date of 
sowing they should bloom. When plants 
become “straggly” cut them back, like Be- 
gonias. 
Gloxint.^s need to be kept uniformly warm, 
and thrive best in a soil composed of leafmold 
and sand. Sown in December, the seedlings 
are generally ready for first transplanting by 
the middle of January. Keep them growing 
steadily by constant shifting and feeding with 
manure water. When watering, keep foliage 
dry. By June they should produce their 
gorgeous, bell shaped flowers which last until 
the middle of July. Then reduce their water 
supply, dry off gradually, and treat like 
Cyclamens. 
Heliotrope, sown in January, germinates 
very slowly. By the end of February, seed- 
lings are generally ready for the first trans- 
planting. By the end of May plants start to 
bloom and continue all summer. Pinch back 
in the early stages to encourage bushy growth. 
Save a few plants or cuttings for the follow- 
ing winter’s window garden. 
Impatiens Holstii, sown in March, makes 
beautiful flowering plants by June. The new 
seedlings offer a surprising variation of beau- 
tiful colors. Their blooming power is enor- 
mous. Taken up in the fall and cut back 
like Begonia semperflorens, it will bloom again 
at Christmas. 
Primulas or Chinese Pri.mroses are 
among the most delightful of all flowering 
house plants. Started in August they begin ' 
to bloom in January. Started in January 
they bloom all summer, but prefer a shaded 
situation. Take up the plants in the fall, 
pot and bring in the hou.'-“. Unlike all other 
plants described here. Primroses will thrive and 
bloom well even in windows with a northern 
exposure. They prefer a cool room always. 
ScHiz.ANTHUS or PooR Man’s Orchids are 
really annuals, but of such brilliant colors 
and so adaptable to house culture in pots 
that they deserve more attention. Seeds 
sprout readily, seedlings are easily shifted. 
Set three or four plants in a 4-inch pot. Sown < 
during November, they will begin to bloom 
in May and will continue through the summer, ? 
to meet the end of their life and usefulness in 
the fall. 
Solanum capsicastru.m or Jerusalem 
Cherry is quite a curiosity, makes a hand- •, 
some and artistic pot plant and is as easily 1 
grown as a tomato plant. Sow in April. 
By June, pot the young plants and plunge pots ( 
in beds or coldframes outdoors. When nights | 
get cool, bring indoors. If you want to I 
have red fruits on the plants by Christmas, I 
bring them into warm rooms and feed with l| 
liquid manure. 
Now, for an after thought. In connection ^ 
with the growing of all the above plants, use 1, 
common sense whenever you are in doubt. i 
It goes a lot further than all theorizing. (i 
When putting above suggestions to a test, > 
remember that an ounce of practical experi- 1 
ence beats all book knowledge. Apply any t 
lesson learned from growing annuals or even | 
vegetables and success is sure to follow where i 
the fundamental requirements are observed i 
and conditions are correct. | 
The merits of the different popular winter ( 
bloomers place them in the following order; 
Begonias, Cyclamens, Primulas, Geraniums, 
and the other six as named above as of about 
equal merit. 
Cineraria cruenta 
Chinese Primrose 
Heliotrope 
Gloxinia 
Impatiens Holstii 
