Page:The Amateur's Greenhouse and Conservatory.djvu/148

138 in the full sun, and before planting them it will be well to cut them into shape, and allow them time to make a fresh start before disturbing the roots. They must not be allowed to flower, and the points of all the shoots should be pinched out when two inches long, and the last stopping should take place in the first week of August. In the first week of September take them up carefully and pot them in six-inch pots, and shut them up close for a week. Afterwards put them in a light airy part of the house; keep them rather dry all the winter; in February stop them all over, or sufficiently to promote the filling-up of gaps and uniformity of contour, and in March shift into eight-inch pots. If they are intended for conservatory decoration they need not be trimmed or tied, but if for exhibition they must be moulded to the watch-glass shape by means of sticks and wires.

A good compost for single zonals may be prepared by mixing together five parts of good turfy loam with one part each of thoroughly decayed hotbed manure, leaf mould, and sharp sand. The double zonals are so vigorous in habit, that in preparing a compost for them it will be well to omit the manure and to give them less root room than the singles, for if they acquire any degree of grossness through good living, they will have more the appearance of cabbages than geraniums, and will probably not flower sufficiently to afford excuse for likening them to cauliflowers.

To ensure a good bloom of zonals in winter, begin with young plants in three-inch pots in April. These should be the best obtainable from cuttings struck the previous autumn. Shift into six-inch pots, and put them in a cold pit and ventilate freely. In the first week of June put them in the open, on a bed of ashes or leaves, and keep them growing freely, and from time to time pinch out the points of the shoots both to promote the growth and prevent flowering. In July shift them into eight-inch pots, and return them to the bed in the open. About the 10th of August stop them all over for the last time. About the 10th of September house them near the glass, and give plenty of air. As the dull cold days approach, begin to force them, but in a very gentle manner, and you will soon have flowers in galore. The temperature should average 50° by night and 60° by day, with a rise to 65° during sunshine.

make fine pot plants, and it is necessary to grow