302 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
May 2, 1908. 
The Amateur’s Greenhouse. 
Double Petunias. 
Same of the double Petunias are admirable 
for cool greenhouse or conservatory decora¬ 
tion from May until September, and cuttings 
taken during last autumn will by this time 
be ready for their final shift into the pots 
in which it is intended to flower them. A 
sandy loam, mixed with one-third of leaf 
mould and a little well-rotted manure, forms 
a suitable compost in which to grow these 
charming plants. To obtain -good specimens 
the extremities should be pinched back to in¬ 
duce the growth of side shoots. These in turn 
should also be stopped, and any flower-buds 
immediately removed until the plants have 
attained the desired shape and dimensions. 
Petunias look well trained fan-shape on a 
small trellis, or they may be grown in bush 
form. Once the flower-buds have formed, a 
judicious feeding occasionally with some re¬ 
liable fertiliser will gTeatly assist in rapidlv 
bringing them to perfection. 
Treatment of Tomatos. 
Tomaitos grown in the greenhouse require 
a plentiful supply of both light and ventila¬ 
tion, undue shade and moisture of atmo¬ 
sphere being detrimental to their welfare. 
Young plants should be kept steadily grow¬ 
ing by potting on when necessary, and if 
sown eatrly enough some will now be ready 
for shifting into their permanent fruiting 
quarters. There is some diversity of opinion 
as to the best method of growing them, but 
after all, it is greatly a matter of conve¬ 
nience, as they will do nearly equally well 
either in boxes, large pots, or planted out 
into the border. Ordinary potting soil, if 
fairly good, will do for them, and it is ad¬ 
visable not to mix too much manure with it, 
as a very rich soil in the first place tends to 
encourage the plants into a very luxuriant 
growth, often at the expense of the fruit- 
crop. Do not unnecessarily disturb the 
roots when planting out by breaking up the 
ball of earth, but press the new soil firmly 
around lilt, and, if grown in pots, leave room 
on the top for liberal dressings with richer 
compost at a later period of their growth. 
Tuberoses. 
These fragrant and chaste-looking flowers, 
so adaptable for making up into button-holes, 
may be had in bloom almost throughout the 
year by successional pottings. A batch may 
be started now, and if inserted singly 5 in. 
pots will suffice, but if three or four tubers 
are placed together, which -the writer thinks 
the better plan, then of course larger pots be¬ 
come necessary. The compost should consist 
for the greater part of rich, Light loam, with 
a little leaf mould and finely-powdered cow 
manure added, and should be fairly damp 
wihen used, in which case no further water¬ 
ing will be necessary until active growth has 
commenced. This will soon take place if the 
pots are plunged in a propagator or hotbed, 
where a slight bottom heat can be main¬ 
tained. Tuberoses are naturally tall-grow¬ 
ing plants, and for this reason should be 
placed as near to the glass as possible, and 
it is doubtless on account of its dwarfer 
habits that the variety known as “ The 
Pearl ” is such a prime favourite with both 
amateur and professional. 
Correa speciosa. 
By the time these notes are in print this 
beautiful shrubby plant will be yielding in 
the greatest profusion its graceful tube-like 
flowers of brightest red, so bright indeed as 
to earn for it the alternative name of C. car- 
dinalis, the coloidr perhaps being accen¬ 
tuated by the green tips. At the present 
stage .it should be watered, say, once a week, 
with a rather weak solution of liquid 
manure, and will then continue to make a 
brave display throughout the entire summer 
months. It can be propagated by means of 
cuttings taken with a heel, and inserted in 
sandy soil, but this is a slow process at best, 
and purchased plants are generally grafted 
upon .stocks of the more robust-growing C. 
alba. Such plants, obtained now, should be 
carefully pinched back to ensure a sturdy 
growth, and, if not already in bud, may be 
repotted at once if necessary. It has quali¬ 
ties, apart from its lengthy blossoming 
period, which should recommend it to all. 
It is mildew-resisting, and can be safely 
placed at a distance from the glass without 
being unduly drawn up. It will greatly 
benefit if syringed overhead during these 
sunny days, this operation also assisting in 
keeping the insect pests at bay. 
Soils for Greenhouse Use. 
This item affects the ultimate success of 
the amateur’s labours to a greater extent than 
is generally realised. Loam, leaf mould, 
and sand are the chief constituents of most 
composts, and if obliged to purchase, cheap¬ 
ness should not be the only consideration. 
Loam should be free from clay and insect 
pests, and a careful scrutiny made for wire- 
worms. If these are present it should be 
baked before using, or a liberal use made of 
one of the many advertised insecticides. 
Should yellow rusty-looking streaks be ap¬ 
parent it is a sure sign that the soil has been 
taken from a badly-drained and often-flooded 
pasture, and should be avoided, as it will 
doubtless prove sour and bad. Leaf mould 
consists simply of rotted leaves, and should 
be preferably of Oak or Beech, and many in¬ 
sects are liable to he present. The sil¬ 
ver sand used to keep the soil open should be 
not too fine, and absolutely free from lime, 
whilst the dust-like product of the oil-shop 
is intended for scouring purposes and is ab¬ 
solutely useless to the gardener; indeed 
coarse, clean road grit or river sand is far 
preferable. G. A. F. 
Orchids for Amateurs. 
Ada aurantiaca. 
This species is one of the most tractable to 
culture of the whole Orchid family. It 
grows well either in the cool house under the 
same conditions as the Odontoglossums or 
in the intermediate house. The principal pre¬ 
caution is to keep the plants free from insect 
pests, particularly thrip, and there is then 
very little difficulty experienced in their cul¬ 
ture. They are spring flowering plants, pro¬ 
ducing racemes of orange coloured blossoms 
which are most effective for decorative and 
exhibition purposes, when well grown. Dur¬ 
ing the season of active growth the plants 
require liberal moisture both at the roots 
and in the atmosphere, and 'during warm 
days overhead syringing will be found bene¬ 
ficial, especially so where the plants are 
grown in an intermediate house temperature. 
Repotting 1 . 
Repotting requirements are best attended 
to when the new roots make their appearance 
at the base of 'the newly-developing growth, 
but it is best .not to repot too frequently. If 
the compost is in good condition and there 
is ample room in the pot, a little top dress¬ 
ing with living sphagnum will be sufficient. 
In re-potting I find that equal po.rt ; ons of 
fibrous peat and chopped sphagnum, w.iith 
sufficient sand and broken crocks to render the 
compost porous, suits their requirements. 
Some broken leaves may .be intermixed if de¬ 
sired, but unless some previous experience 
has been had with the use of leaves in the 
compost it is best to be cautious in affording 
water, as the use of leaves means a consider¬ 
able retention of water; it is well to be 
guarded against possible over-watering. The 
pots used should be clean and filled to about 
half their depth with drainage, the com¬ 
post 'being pressed moderately firm about the 
roots of the plants. 
Cattleya citrina. 
This plant is one of the most remarkable 
examples .in plant life from the fact that it 
invariably grows away from the light. 
Whatever position in which it -is planted ir 
a basket or pan, the first growth made par 
takes of the pendulous characteristics, anc 
produces its yellow flowers from the new 
growth in the same pendent position. It 
known as the “.Mexican Tulip,” the flower: 
being very thick in substance, and have ; 
delightful citron odour, which is at al 
times appreciated. It 'has the reputation o 
being a plant that deteriorates under culti 
vation^and is often found to lose its norma 
vigour* after a year or two in cultivation 
This is undoubtedly the case where plant 
are grown altogether in a warm house. Th 
cool house suits these plants well during th 
summer season after they have passed on 
of flower and entered on the resting or doi 
mant state. They are particularly a white 
growing plant, and as soon as the ne’ 
growths make their appearance in earl 
autumn the plants should be moved to th 
intermediate or Cattleya house temperature 
The plants are annually imported in qua: 
tity and procurable for a modest outlay. . J 
soon as received they may be put in shallo 
pans or baskets. They also are very effe 
tive when, fastened to blocks of wood or tes 
rafts, with only a little sphagnum mo: 
about them to retain the moisture. Wk- 
baskets or pans are used equal portions < 
peat and sphagnum moss is a suitable cor 
post. During the growing season every e 
couragement must be given in respect to moi 
ture, during the resting season only suf 
cien.t water is .necessary to retain 'the pseud 
bulbs in. a plump state. 
H. J. Chapman. 
-- 
- Gfotor?s. - 
These plants are indispensable f 
house and dinner table decoration wh 
grown as small specimens, and as lar 
specimens either for public exhibition 
stove purposes they are unequalled, pi 
ducing an effect with all their brillia 
shades of colour, not yielded by any otb 
foliage plants in cultivation. 
At this season any plants that have lc 
their bottom leaves will require to - 
topped. An upward cut about an ini 
long should be made below the lowl 
leaves, and a small piece of moss thi 
inserted in the incision to keep the (t 
part away from the main stem, sphagna 
moss with silver sand through it tbi 
being bound firmly round it. A th 
stake should be put to the plant and 11 
up firmly to prevent it breaking. If kt 
moist in a temperature of 70 degrees, t 
should not be long in rooting. As sea 
as rooting is satisfactory, the top part f 
the plant may be cut away from the d 
stem and potted into a five-inch pot, w 1 
drained, using a compost of good fibn s 
loam, leaf mould, and peat in eq 1 
parts, with a little silver sand added. 
Crotons succeed best if grown inarrDt 
temperature about 70 degrees, and if k>t 
near the glass without shading, the fiat 
results in colouring will be obtained. 
Liquid manure may be given occasii- 
ally when the pots are full of roots, ba¬ 
tons, Russellii, Flambeau, Counts- 
Williamsii Chelsonii, Evansiani ■ 
Venus, Warrenii, Golden Ring, Prints 
of Wales are among the best. 
DAIS! 
