February 11, 1905. 
THE GARDENING 
WORLD . 
117 
Vclthcimia viridifolia. 
Carnations for Winter Flowering. 
In general form and arrangement of the flowers the species 
„£ Veltheimia bear a close resemblance to those of Kniphofia, 
Possibly those who have seen Veltheimia for the first time 
woiud mentally place it amongst the Red Hot Pokers or torch 
bilies but there are at least two broad distinctions which 
separate them. The Veltheimias have bulbs, while the Kni- 
nliofias have only short rhizomes and fleshy, fibrous roots. The 
stamens of Veltheimia are also included inside the perianth, 
while those of Kniphofia are to a greater or lesser extent 
pushed out. and beyond the flowers. 
V. viridifolia produces a tuft of eight, to twelve leaves from 
the bulbs. They are lanceolate, decidedly 
wavy at tile margins, and bright green, as the 
specific name indicates. The tubular flowers 
are produced in a dense raceme, terminating 
a scape about 18 in. high. The flowers are 
of a soft rose, spotted with white, and tinted 
with green at the tips until fully expanded. 
In some cases the flowers are merely yellowish 
and if produced during dark and dull weather 
thev are generally paler than when the 
weather is bright. Those of the plant which • 
we illustrate were only fully expanded^ on 
January 1st last in the greenhouse at Kew, 
where our photograph was taken soon after¬ 
wards. 
V. «dauca is very similar in most respects to 
the species we have just described, and the 
flowers can scarcely be described as different. 
According to the vigour of the plant the 
raceme varies from 2 in. to 6 in. in length, 
being produced at the apex of a scape 12 in. 
to 18 in. in height. The usual period of 
flowering is March, but it varies much accord¬ 
ing to treatment, and the same may be said 
of the first-named species, -which is the best 
known in this country. The chief distinction 
of this species consists of its narrower and 
decidedly glaucous leaves. These are wavy, 
just as in the species we figure. V. glauca 
was introduced in 1781, but much neglected 
considering its value for indoor work early in 
the season. There is a variety named V. g. 
rubescens, with much darker red flowers than 
the type. 
At least four species are described from 
South Africa, the other two being V. brac- 
teata, being first noticed in 1871, and V. in- 
termedia, which was introduced much earlier, 
and described by Sweet, but of which nothing 
seems to be known at. the present day in cul¬ 
tivation. 
Needless to say, these South African plants . 
are not hardy, but require a, greenhouse 
temperature like most others hailing from 
that part, of the world. Their value lies in 
their easy cultivation in pots in any good 
fibrous loam and sand with a little peat or 
leaf mould, and in their flowering at a. period 
when distinct subjects to give variety are 
rather scarce. Owing to the relatively dwarf habit of the 
plants and the neat character of the foliage, very little space 
is required beyond a 6-in. pot for each bulb. 
Sxowmiors.—The numerous species or forms of Snowdrops 
now in cultivation have been rather slow in making their 
appearance this year, but several of them have now commenced 
to bloom, including Galantlius nivalis, G. Ehvesii, G. byzan- 
tmus, and others. Cold weather does not seem to affect the 
blooms much after they have succeeded in piercing the soil, but 
a little snow would have been an advantage during the pre¬ 
valence of frost. 
Veltheimia viridifolia : Flowers pale rose. 
99 per cent, of the cuttings may be successfully rooted. Large 
flower-pot saucers, about 9 in. in diameter, should be secured, 
tilled level to the brim with silver sand, and made thoroughly 
moist. Young healthy shoots should be taken off’ from 3 in. 
to T m. in length, and made into cuttings in the ordinary way. 
Insert thickly over the surface, thoroughly water in, and place 
on a br.sK. hotbed in the propagating house in a temperature 
ranging from 70 to 75 deg. The sand should never be allowed 
to become dry, and damp overhead frequently with tepid water 
to prevent them flagging. In a. short time these will com¬ 
mence to root freely, and immediately young growth com¬ 
mences, pot off singly into small 60 pots, which should be well 
Among the many subjects cultivated for blooming through 
the dreary days of winter, few can outrival a well-grown batch 
of Carnations. These are useful alike both as pot plants and 
for the supply of cut flowers for house decorations, arid in 
addition to this, few things are more suited and appreciated 
for making up ladies’ Sprays and gentlemen’s buttonholes. 
Their delightful but not over-powering fragrance and soft, 
pleasing tints of colour which many of them possess are always 
welcome. 
Culture. —To achieve success by next winter, propagation 
should now be proceeded with, and by adopting proper methods 
