We don't advise it. It is much better to use Spoonit or liquid manure once a month, after 
plants are well established. The preferred minimum night temp. is 60° or over. 45° does 
little harm other than to stop growth and flowering. 80° or over is a good. daytime temp. 
Air should be very humid. Spraying foliage daily increases air humidity. They should 
never become dry. Water about every two days. 
Shipping. These plants are set back seriously when shipped loose roots. We will ship 
in only one way—in clay pots, by express, f.o.b. 
See our Spring catalog for other aroids. 
THE GESNARIA FAMILY — Gesneriaceae 
This family includes the following genera: Gloxinia, Sinningia, Saintpaulia, Episcia, 
Achimines, Smithiantha, Corytholoma, Isoloma, Gesneria, Tydaea, Streptocarpus and 
others. We list a number of these in our Spring Catalog. 
Gloxinias. It is a considerable advantage to be able to secure these early as when 
ordered in Jan., delivery is slowed by cold weather. For that reason we usually plant a 
few tubers that should be sufficiently matured for Nov. delivery or earlier. This season 
we planted more than usual and can supply Blanche de Meru, Emp. William, Emp. Fred- 
erick, Etoil de Feu, Mont Blanc, Prince Albert, Princess Elizabeth, Roi des Rouges, Ti- 
grinia, Violacea, Queen Wilhelmina. These were 50c var. in Spring catalog, but now are 
larger and you have the advantage of early delivery. Price now 60c ea., we also have the 
following in very recent new sorts; Frederick Benary, (we find a few very fine deep 
violet colors in these beside the scarlet with white throat), Beacon, Crimson Glow, Swiss 
Emblem and Rose Sensation. Price of these, small tubers, $1.00. For culture directions and 
descriptions send 10c for Spring, 1951 cat. none for free. These are all straight prices, 
no dozen rates. Order early as we have few. If we are out of variety ordered we will 
send a substitute as near like it as we have. It is best if you name second choices. 
Gloxinia Seed. We saved seed from several varieties including some of the newest. 
This ig mixed seed and you should get a variety of colors. The seedlings flower the first 
year. Small packet for 50c. Culture: We prefer to plant in almost pure, well broken up 
peat, in a large clay pan. Some sand may be added but no soil. Be sure peat is completely 
wet, thruout. Level the surface and sow the seed, thinly, as nearly all grow. Cover pot 
with pane of glass and no watering is likely to be needed until they are all up. Keep 
warm, 60° to 80°, and in full shade. You will need to transplant when they begin to 
crowd, into 3” pots. 
Streptocarpus are very close relatives of Gloxinias but are fibrous rooted and can 
only be moved as growing plants. The culture is much the same except as to temperature. 
They thrive in a cool house and are easily grown in a lath house in summer. The color 
range is similar. The flowers are smaller and freely produced. They are followed by long 
twisted seed pods, hence their name. They are easily grown from seed, which save, as we 
have no seed for sale. We pack plants in their own soil and ship carefully which adds to 
the cost. Order early. They cannot be moved in winter. “‘Assorted hybrids,” $1.00 ea. 
AFRICAN VIOLETS — Saintpaulias 
The later is the correct botanical name. They are the most popular of all house plants 
at the present time and they are likely to retain this eminent position in popular favor 
indefinitely, as they deserve it. 
Saintpaulias were discovered by Baron von Saint Paul who sent seed to Europe where 
they first flowered in 1893. They are natives of the Usambara district of Tanganyika, 
equatorial east Africa. Tanganyika includes Lake Victoria, source of the Nile, on the 
north and extends 12° south. It is entirely in the tropical zone. It is always summer, with 
almost no variation or seasonal changes in the climate. Due to the hot Indian Ocean on 
the east, the humidity 1s high. 
They were discovered by the Baron in two places, both in tree covered areas. In 
one, at an elevation under 150 ft., they were found both in rich soil full of humus and 
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