1876,3 
GESNEEAOEOUS PLANTS FOR WINTER DECORATION. 
139 
the truss. It will then ripen off dry as a straw, but if broken short it may 
decay, and by damp-rot kill the plant. 
Look very keenly after green-fly. The aphis is an “ artful dodger,” and will, 
for concealment’s sake, put on a mealy coat upon white-leaved varieties. The 
plants should be inspected all round and often, for no flower rejoices more than 
the Auricula in the sunshine of the master’s eye.—F. D. Horner, Kirkby 
Malzeard^ Ripon. 
GESNERACEOUS PLANTS FOR WINTER DECORATION. 
« N the extensive order of Gesneraceous plants are to be found some of the 
most effective which we possess for warm conservatory and hothouse decora- 
f tion throughout the year. The richly varied and picturesque markings to 
be seen on their expansive foliage render them highly ornamental and 
interesting, without taking into account the great beauty and charming colours 
of their inflorescence. They thus combine in a remarkable degree bold luxurious¬ 
ness of foliage with stately brilliancy of flower. They are, moreover, plants of 
easy culture, which may be enjoyed by all who have a slightly-heated house at 
command. Even during the winter months there are Gesneraceous plants which 
readily adapt themselves to decorative uses, since they produce their flowers 
freely. Indeed, taking into consideration the great and growing demand for 
bright-flowering plants to cheer us during the dull winter months, it is to be 
wondered they are not more generally grown. I propose here to offer a few 
cultural remarks on the winter blooming of these admirable plants. 
The Gesneras are by no means difficult of treatment, and to this cause alone 
may in a great measure be attributed that want of success which is apparent in the 
case of some who essay their cultivation. This is most assuredly the case with 
many soft-wooded plants ; they are so accommodating in their habits, that they 
are allowed pretty much to shift for themselves ; consequently they soon put on a 
shabby aspect, which detracts greatly from their general effectiveness. To be 
successful in the treatment of Gesneras^ it is, in the first place, important that the 
tubers should be thoroughly ripened, and afforded a proper season of rest; immature 
roots are much longer in starting, and make feebler growth. In order to insure 
a succession of bloom, it will be necessary to start a portion of the tubers at 
different times from April to July. It matters little whether the bulbs are 
started singly in small pots, or moderately thick in shallow, well-drained pans, so 
long as they are potted off before they become drawn. A suitable soil in which 
to start them is one composed of equal parts of loam, peat, leaf-soil, and sand, 
using the compost in a fine pulverised state ; press the tubers into the soil gently, 
and merely cover them with the surfacing of soil; it is injurious to cover such 
roots deeply at starting. Afterwards, plunge them in a brisk bottom-heat, that 
they may enjoy a genial moist atmosphere, ranging from 70^ to 80°, which tem¬ 
perature should be maintained during the early stages of growth. It is necessary 
at this stage to abstain from over-watering the soil, and little will be required, 
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