GARDENIAS. 
123 
is perhaps the most trying period in the history of the plants. 
They will require to be kept just cool and dry enough to prevent 
any attempt at renewed growth, and yet so warm as to be in full 
vigour, and in a condition to start with energy on the first appli¬ 
cation of the usual stimulants. The best period for renewing 
the action will be about the middle of March; repot them then, 
and place them again in a brisk heat like that in which the cut¬ 
tings were struck. Here they will advance rapidly, and it may 
be necessary to watch that they do not run up too fast without 
an inclination to become bushy. In such a case, if it be only a 
few individuals that require correction, “ stopping” may be re¬ 
sorted to; but should the same character pervade all the plants, 
it will be advisable to admit air more freely, lest they become 
drawn and weakly. 
By the end of May repotting will again be necessary, and the 
after-treatment will be that of mature plants, for after becoming 
properly established in these pots the plants may be expected to 
commence blooming. The principal object in each succeeding 
season will be to establish a healthy, vigorous growth, for on this 
the production of flowers mainly depends. Gardenias delight to 
grow in a humid, somewhat elevated atmosphere, and to secure 
this, it is found advisable to confine them to pits, as being more 
manageable, because of their smaller size, than houses of any sort 
can possibly be; here the plants may be kept moist, warm, and 
shaded, which includes all the essential conditions to their most 
successful cultivation ; these elementary prinoiples must be sup¬ 
plied, modulating one by the other so as to cause a healthy 
development of new branches and leaves through the summer, 
and in autumn the lights may be removed altogether, and all but 
the strongest sun-light admitted to the plants; this will mature 
them, as before remarked, the result of which will be an abundant 
production of flower-buds, which the cultivator may consider as 
a store of floral ornaments to be made available at his pleasure ; 
for the removal of a few plants at a time in succession to a warmer 
place will ensure a continuance of blossoms so long as there are 
plants left to be forced. It matters little to the Gardenia whether 
it is induced to bloom at mid-winter, or allowed to unfold its 
flowers by the influence of a summer sun ; they are alike in 
