THE 
FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
November 1 , 1842 . 
ON THE CULTURE OF GLOXINIA. 
WITH AN ENGRAVING. 
The genus Gloxinia forms part of the order Gesneriese, in the 
natural arrangement, and in the Linneean system is included in 
the class Didynamia, order Angiospermia. The genus was 
named in memory of Ben. Pet. Gloxin, of Colmar, a German 
writer, author of a work entitled Observationes Botanicse, &c. 
They are natives for the most part of equinoctial America, and 
generally found on the margins of dense woods; the soil of such 
places, being formed by the accumulation of vegetable matter, 
is light and porous, and still contains a large quantity of ali¬ 
mentary matter. The cultivator knowing thus much may form 
for himself an idea of the treatment best calculated to ensure 
the desired objects. And it is usually on information equally 
consise that growers of new plants found the basis of their ope¬ 
rations. Modifications are often necessary on the first method, 
and these after being ratified form what is called the culture of 
the plant in its then artificial state. 
The mode of cultivation applied to the Gloxinia has been 
pretty generally what is termed stove treatment, that is associ¬ 
ated with the tenderest exotics; and from this cause many have 
been deterred from adding it to their collections, induced by a 
supposition of its being tender and consequently difficult to 
manage ; this supposition we are convinced is erroneous, and 
we are confidently of opinion that wherever the establishment 
includes a common greenhouse with a small pit, or frame, 
AA 
VOL. III. NO. XI. 
