Page:The Amateur's Greenhouse and Conservatory.djvu/131

Rh they start into growth, the young tops will afford a plentiful supply of cuttings. Put the cutting pots wherever they will have a temperature of 60° or 70°, and as soon as rooted put them into small 60’s, from thence into five-inch pots, and finally into their blooming pots, which may be either six-, eight-, or nine-inch pots; those in eight-inch pots will generally be the most useful for conservatory decoration. When potted into the small 60’s, replace in the propagating frame for a week or ten days, and then remove to a warm frame. Harden off as quickly as possible, and remove to a cold frame, as a continuance in artificial heat will result in general ruin.

Keep them close to the glass, and as soon as the season is sufficiently advanced expose the plants to a free circulation of air, to keep the growth dwarf and stocky. After the middle of May, the lights may be drawn off altogether during the day, whenever the weather is sufficiently favorable, unless the plants are required to be in flower on an early date. The stock intended for affording a late display should, after the end of May, be removed to a bed of ashes at the foot of a north wall, and receive the same attention as if sheltered with glass. It is well to remember that plants growing in pots in the open air require quite as frequent refreshings from the watering-can as others grown indoors. Never let the soil get dry enough to allow the leaves to flag; and, on the other hand, avoid too frequent applications of water. Clear soft water will suffice until the plants have had their last shift, and get pot-bound, then water with weak liquid manure, and continue its use during the whole time they are in the conservatory.

A judicious system of stopping and training must be carried out. Commence by nipping out the growing points of the young plants directly they are established in the small 60’s; and after they are shifted into the five-inch pots, pinch back the side-shoots to within four or five joints of the main stem. After they are stopped, tie them out regularly, and immediately on their recovery from the effects of the final shift, pinch back to the same distance as advised for the last set of shoots. Then no more stopping, but the new growth must be trained in the usual way.

If the system of culture here advised is carried out, and the foliage kept clean by means of a sprinkle overhead once or twice a day according to the weather, there will not be much trouble from insects of any kind; but if green-fly should