May 9, 1908. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
313 
Growing and propagating Achimenes. 
PROPAGATING ACHIMENES. 
The corms of these pretty decorative 
plants may be started into growth any 
time from the end of January to the end 
of April, and should be shaken out of the 
old soil and be replanted about one and a 
half inches apart and one inch deep, as 
Fig. 1, in well drained pans of compost 
composed of equal parts of fibrous loam 
and leaf soil and half a part sand. 
Place the pans in a moist atmosphere, a 
temperature of from 60 to 65 degrees 
being desirable, give but little water, and 
as soon as the plants have made four or 
five leaves, as Fig. 2, they may be trans¬ 
ferred to their f.r.vering pots, pans or 
baskets, as the case may be. 
Achimenes are excellent subjects for 
hanging baskets, and the corms may 
either be planted in the baskets in the 
manner shown in Figs. 3 and 4, or first be 
started into growth and then be arranged 
round the sides and top of the baskets as 
in Fig. 5. The baskets should be lined 
with moss, and the plants be placed in 
position as the soil is filled in, compost 
being as before, with the addition of a 
little decayed manure. Shallow recep¬ 
tacles are the best for Achimenes as a 
large body of soil is undesirable, a five- 
inch pot being large enough to take half 
a dozen plants whilst eight or nine may 
be planted ill a six-inch pot. 
A moist atmosphere is necessary, and 
when the plants are in full growth abun¬ 
dant supplies of soft water must be given 
with an occasional dose of diluted liquid 
manure, whilst a daily syringing before 
the flower buds make their appearance is 
of great assistance in keeping down such 
insect pests as red spider. The plants must 
be tied and staked in good time, and as 
the flowering period approaches they may 
with advantage be transferred to a cooler 
and more airy atmosphere, but the change 
must be gradual and all draughts and 
cold currents of air be avoided. After 
the plants have ceased flowering, the 
supply of water must be gradually re¬ 
duced until growth is quite dead when 
the pots may be laid on their sides until 
the following season. 
Achimenes can be propagated in three 
ways, from stem cuttings, from leaf cut¬ 
tings, and from the scales of the corms. 
Stem cuttings should consist of the tops 
of growing plants and leaf cuttings have 
a portion of the leaf stem attached as 
shown in Figs. 6 and 7 respectively. Both 
types of cuttings should be inserted in 
sandy soil and be placed in a propagating 
frame or on a hotbed. If the corms are 
lightly rubbed a number of scales will 
fall off, and these should be sown in a 
similar manner to seeds. Place the pan 
in- a temperature of about 65 degrees and 
fine plants will quickly result. 
ORTUS. 
-- 
COSMOS. 
I have sometimes wondered why the 
Cosmos or Cosmeas (Mexican Asters) are 
not better known, and more generally 
grown by amateurs like myself, for there 
are few more beautiful plants, both as 
regards bloom and foliage if well 
managed, and they are at their best, or 
should be, in September and October 
when so many of our floral friends are 
passing. 
The Cosmos is a slow grower, and there¬ 
fore should be sown early in the year to 
ensure strong blooming plants ere frosts 
come, though unless these are severe they 
will take no harm. I am only an ama¬ 
teur in gardening matters, but should like 
to give my experience on this subject, as 
I feel sure the many readers of the 
Gardening World will be pleased with 
the plant if they try it. 
Sow in shallow boxes in ordinary com¬ 
post, placing glass over them until the 
seedlings show, and keeping them either 
in a frost proof greenhouse or warm win¬ 
dow. When well up give plenty of 
air, keep near the light, and when large 
enough prick out into similar boxes filled 
with turfy loam, leaf mould and sand, 
spreading over the crocks some manure 
that they may root readily into it, then, 
when ready for their final planting out, 
they can be lifted with good roots and 
will grow away at once without check. 
It is important with all plants in 
a young stage that they should be grown 
in a good rooting medium, otherwise the 
move puts them back, and they do not 
easily recover. 
Soon after pricking out, if mild, place 
them in a cold frame, and after a day 
or two give plenty of air, but close the 
frame at night, and if frosty cover with 
a mat. In May plant in a sunny and 
sheltered position, staking securely, as 
the plants are exceedingly brittle. They 
grow 4 feet and over, and have scarlet, 
white and mauve flowers which are very- 
showy either growing or as cut flowers. 
I find margarine boxes most useful for 
seeds as they are strong and will last 
several seasons. Boxes 16 by 16 in. 
square and i\ in. deep, if divided in half, 
and an extra side supplied where divided 
and with holes in the bottom bored with 
a large gimlet leave nothing to be de¬ 
sired. 
L. Cherry. 
Sussex. 
-- 
Candied Sweets from Orange Blossoms. 
In France candied sweets are made out 
of Orange blossoms, and are said to be 
more wholesome, as well as more palat¬ 
able, than many other productions of the 
confectioner's art. 
