10 ON THE CULTIVATION 01? IXOBA GEANDIFLOEA. 
CuiiTUKE. — The Maurandyas are among tlie most beautiful of the fi-ee-growing climbing 
jjlants, suitable either for the greenhouse, or for cultivating in the open garden dui'ing sum- 
mer as chmbiug annuals. The seed sovm early in the spring, and niu-sed in frames, aud then 
planted out after danger from frost is past, become beautiful objects during the latter part of the 
summer months ; or, if raised the previous autvunn, and wintered in a greenhouse, they may 
be jjlanted out almost in blossom in the following June. They usually mature abundance of 
seed. 
The genus Maurandj'a was dedicated in honour of Dr. Maui-andy, who was Professor of 
Botany at Carthagena. 
ON THE CULTIVATION OF IXORA GRANDIFLORA. 
By Mr. "W. TAYLOR, Gaudexer to J. Coster, Esq., Streatham. 
MAYING for some time cultivated this beautiful stove shi'ub with success, I am induced to bring it 
before your readers, with a hope that its cultivation may receive more attention. 
It appeal's to have been introduced to this coimtry from the East Indies about 1814, but its value 
as a first-class stove-plant, for all jrai-poses of decoration, has not been Itiiown until of late years, when 
pubUc comijetition at the various horticultm-al exhibitions, discovered it to be one of the brightest gems 
of the stove ; its beautiful glossy foliage contrasting admirably with the large heads of bright, scarlet 
flowers, which, by good management, may be produced from May until October. 
In order to make my remarks understood by all whom it is intended to instruct, I wiU commence 
with the young plant fi-om the nursery. In the first place, it is indispensably necessary that the 
plants should be chosen from a clean stock, as upon this will depend, in a great measm-e, the success 
of the cultivator ; for, as the Ixora is a favom'ite with the mealy-bug and scale, it is necessary to keep 
watch iipon the young plants, as the scale, or bug, once estabhshed, it mil be almost impossible to era- 
dicate them when the plants become large. 
The month of March will be a good season to commence. To insm-e a free and healthy growth, 
the roots must be examined, and, if they reach the side of the pot, the plant sboidd be shifted into 
another two sizes larger, as they are very free rooting plants when kept in a healthy condition. The 
soil I use is a hght turfy peat, well broken up, and mixed with sand, a quantity of broken potsherds 
and lumps of charcoal, and the pots must be well di-amed to iasm'e a healthy cfrculation of ah aud water. 
If there is a pit, worked with dung hnings, or a frame and dung bed at work, with a bottom heat of 
75 degrees, I phmge the j)ot, one-third of its depth, in tan, cinder ashes, or saw-dust, at a distance of not 
more than six niches from the glass ; for, by keeping the plants near the light, a more robust and 
healthy development is induced, the wood also will bo short-jointed and the leaves stiff and broad — 
conditions essential to the proper formation of a specimen of superior quality. If the weather is fiue 
and sunny, the syringe may be used fr-eely, but ah should be admitted early, to dry the plants 
gradually, before the scorching sun reaches them, otlier\^'ise they will be liable to scald, which injures 
the plant, and also makes it imsightlj'. "V^Tien the temperatm-e rises above 75 degrees, air must be given 
fr-eely, and this will remove the necessity of much shading, as the ah hardens the textm'c of the leaves ; 
and prevents them from scorching. If shading is once apjjlied, it must not be discontinued without 
great caution, as a sudden bm'st of sunshine may do hreparable injury. 
If the plant has only a single stem, it must be cut back, to induce the bottom eyes to break freely ; 
but if there are two or thi-ec shoots, it is better to let them grow a considerable length without stop- 
ping, as that causes a more healthy development of roots. When the shoots are about a foot in length, 
and appear moderately ripe, and firm, they should be tied out, close to the sm-face of the soil in the 
pots, and the points of the shoots pinched out, to induce them to break from the collar of the plant, and 
likewise from the more vertical buds. If they reqmre a second shift, this will be best done, when the 
eyes have started, which will cause a "vigorous growth. I do not shift after the end of August, as the 
pot should be well filled with roots before the dark days of -svuiter set in, although the plants, if healthy, 
will not enthely cease growing throughout the winter. The supply of moistm-e, at this season, par- 
ticularly the atmospheric, must be gradually diminished, in order to bring the plants as near as possible 
to a state of rest ; but a slight bottom heat, say about 60 degrees, with an atmospheric heat fi'om 45 
to 60 degrees, must be mamtaiued. If the jilants can be placed in a house or pit, heated by hot water 
or a fiue, they will be more under control and less hkely to be injured by damp. It is j)articularly 
