The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-16

the seed pan they will fail to make
good plants.
Soil similar to that In which the seed
terminated should be used for the pot
ting. as a rich, porous soil Is required
for the plants TO develop in. Take the
weaker as well as the stronger seed
lings. for the best colors are often
found in the seedlings developed last.
Growers believe that the strongest
seedlings produce the largest PERCENT
age OF plants with yellow flowers or
lower in which yellow predominates.
The young seedlings should not be ex-
posed to the direct rays Of the sun
and the roots should net be allowed
to become dry.
The genus g%loxinia was founded in
1's5 upon a plant obtained from
Brazil and named in honor OF r. b.
G.oxin. n botanist Of Strassburg, In
1917 another plant from Brazil, closelx
related, a named gloxinia speciosa
and from this species our present
horticultural varieties Of gloxinia
originated. Later It was found that
this parent Of our garden gloxinia was
not a true g~loxinia. botsnically speak,
ing. but belonged to another genus in
the same family, namely. sinninga- The
name gloxinia had become too we'll
nxed among growers to be changed,
n consequently there exists the pc
culiar condition OF q plant bearing
what 10 supposed to be its botanical
name. but which in reality II only .
common name, derived from q bo-
tanical name enormously applied.
During the last few years g~loxinias
have been wonderfully improved by
growers. Flowers now range
from pure white, pink and pale blue
to deep red and purple. There are also
the newer French hybrids, spotted
with colors varying from pink and
mauve to dark blue. red and choco-
late.
Gloxinias are not so easily Guilt
waited as calceolarias. but n one with
a conservatory or hotbed at their
Disposal can produce a brilliant dis
play Of blooms within seven or eight
months after sowing the seed.
1t is best to SOW the seed In mid
in deep. well drained pans
hlled with a mixture Of rich soil and
The pans should be kept at q
Of rs degrees and may be
with glass until the seedlings
appear. Great care must be taken
TO turn the glass night and morning,
n gloxlnias are especially liable TO
damp Or In too moist an atmos-
phere. Prick OF the plants into shall
low pans or pots as o 70 as the first
develop. and when the seedlings
ire established they may be removed
the hotbed into a fairly moist
atmosphere at SIS to 70 degrees.
When large enough to handle easily
seedlings must again be trans
into a soil as hbrous and
as possible, peat. sand and leaf
mold making q good combination.
watering at this stage Is most
important. The water should be
warmer than tho air Of the
house and moreover should nover be
unless really necessary.
In the Anal potting-this time into
'ix or eight inch pots-a good mix
.ure OF equal parts Of peat. leaf mold.
lay and sand should be used and the
Oil ought not to be colder than the
louse atmosphere. The plants should
u kept al a temperature OF from IS
o 10 degrees. never less than 90 de-
yrees, and given all the light pos
'ible without exposure TO the direct
avs OF the sun.
Further feeding 10 not necessary
the FIRST season. Plants started
n January or February should bloom
n July or August. When the fow-
.YQ annaar n itt1a uvaal x.y.tn. |
nay be Of benefit, but its use a
be carried too far. 1t is some
lines advisable during the blooming
to remove some OF the entire
which may otherwise cramp
nd smother the opening flowers.
After Towering water should he
'radually withheld and as soon as the !
caves have r!pened the plants should
Ne stored at q temperature of about
D degrees. Only enough water
hould be given to prevent the tubers
rom whitening. In February the
ubers should he cleaned and placed
n small pots filled with the soil mix
ure referred to above. Until active
growth begins but little water
h.ould be- given, and as soon as the
'ots are filled with roots It Is neces-
airy To transfer the plants into six
nch pots. Plants from last years
ubers should bloom In about five
months and the same tuber may be
'rown for several years.
To sum up: Gloxinias require
'lenty OF heat and moisture. protec-
ion from direct sunshine, a rich,
pen, light soil and above all unre-
hitting and intelligent attention to
and ventilation, To one who
an give all these the Joy OF grow
ng them from seed to flower will be
mple compensation for the time and
abor expended.