nature, they are epiphytal and climb trees. The plants are attractive and the freely produced 
large flowers are tubular and vividly colored. 
They are tender tropicals and shipment will be made only when weather permits. 
We grow them in wire baskets, lined thickly with sphagnum and with peat and sand in 
center. They do well in pots. They require constant moisture. Leaves and flowers drop 
when dry. 
A. Lobbiana. Small plants, $2.00. 
Smithiantha. (Naegelia) are fine, tuberous rooted, foliage plants. The rounded cordate 
leaves are covered by soft hairs that give a velvety appearance and cause them to change 
colors when viewed at a different angle. The showy flowers are long, tubular and in 
pink and orange shades. Minimum temperature 60° for best growth. We grow in pots. 
Soil like Amaryllis, with a rather greater proportion of peat. 
Smithiantha zebrina. The leaves are mottled and veined red brown. Two types. 
Orange flowered, tubers $1.00. Pink flowered, $2.00. 
S. cinnabarina. Gorgeous dark red velvety leaves, cinnabar red flowers. $1.00 ea. 
S. hybrida, Orange King. Very beautiful leaves with changeable colors. $1.25. 
S. hybrida, Orange Delight. Foliage mottled red-brown. Flowers orange outside, 
yellow, spotted orange inside (as most of them are). $1.00. 
Collection of all 5 varieties, $5.50. 
Assorted seedlings, 50c and $1.00 ea. 
Smithianthas are not dormant on an exact date. They cannot be stored a long time. 
Therefore order early and we can send good tubers as soon as ready. 
ACHIMENES 
In 1953 we grew our Achimenes in a lath house. Due to California’s cool nights we 
had few flowers and for the same reason added to an early cold spell in the fall our tubers 
were too small to sell. We left all in the baskets and moved to a greenhouse. This year we 
have excellent tubers to offer you. 
Culture: From 1 to 5 tubers may be grown in a 5” pot. We grow them entirely in 
wire baskets and this seems to us to be the perfect way. We use 16” baskets but for 
amateurs we recommend 10” baskets rather than larger or smaller. For only 2 or 3 it 
is all right to use pots or 8” baskets. 
The compost in pots may be the same as for Gloxinias and other Gesneriads. In baskets 
we line them first with sphagnum and fill center with fibrous peat. It would probably be 
better to use equal parts of peat and coarse leaf mould. 
The name is said to mean that they do not like the cold. This may be fanciful but 
is nevertheless true. They like warm days and nights. A good temperature will not be 
under 60° at night and up to 80°, daytimes and higher does not hurt them. 
Plant tubers in a horizontal position and cover about 1”. We mulch surface with thin 
layer of sphagnum to prevent erosion when watering. Keep them only a little moist 
until growth is well started. When growing well, keep them wet. 
Andersoni. Long cascading stems with green foliage and deep blue flowers. 20c. 3/50c. 
Atropurpurea. Strong grower with green foliage, red purple flowers. Early. 20c. 3/50c. 
Camille Brozzoni. Sturdy, small plant with 15” stems. Small lilac fls., profusely 
borne. 30c. 3/80c. 
Diadem. Velvety green leaves. Large fuchsia purple fls. 35c. 
Edmond Bossier. Improved. Purple striped fls. with yellow center. 25c. 3/60c. 
Ghiesbreghti. Large green leaves. Large tubular red violet fls. 40c. 
Grandiflora. (Mme. Geheune.) Red bronze, hairy leaves. Rose purple fls. 35c. 3/90c. 
Harry Williams. Tall, upright stems with brown marked and veined leaves. Flowers 
near red or cerise. 40c. 3/$1.00. 
Little Beauty. Dwarf, very dark foliage. Cerise pink fls. 25c. 3/65c. 
Longiflora Major, (Magnificum). 12” stems very large blue flowers, up to almost 3” 
wide. 30c. 3/85c. 
Magnificent. Sturdy plant with 20” stems. Bronze foliage and petunia purple flowers. 
SoC: 
Dis 
