GLOXINIA CULTURE.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 20, 9 October 1930, Page 9

GLOXINIA CULTURE.

Without doubt the gorgeous Gloxinias in their full, strong, or daintily blended velvety colouring, hold a foremost place in the affections of the gardener, be he amateur or; professional, who has a greenhouse with a steady temperativre between 55 and 60 degrees. .

The prime factor of success, however, is soil. This should consist of two parts really good fibrous, turfy loam, to one part of coarse silver sand,, witha littje Well-rotted leaf mould. The addition of t&6 latter had ;TjeJtter;eirr/on. the side of sparsencss than too ;great liberality, for it is rather conducive to the growth of surface moss and souring of the soil—about half amount of that of the sand beiiig1 correct. Take care that the soil be thoroughly -niixed, turning it over several times until all the items are : well incorporated. :

I/et us assume that a supply of oneyear old tubers are on hand. Five or sixinoh. pots; will be large enough, and attend well to the draining. Needless to .say, pots must be perfectly clean. Over the drainage place a layer of course moss, and fill your pots witl the compost to within half an inch of the rim. The tubers may be'planfed direct into the soil, taking care to leave pust the crown exposed; but a'better method is to place them on the surf ace shallow seed, boxes filled with damp. mos£,.-and': stood over the. -hot-water pipes until they sprout, and then potting up. ;WTaichever method is adopted, do not. apply an excess of water; keep the moss or soil just damp, but no more. .

After potting, keep them shaded from1; I the sun but quite close to the glass, in ia warm, moist atmosphere. To ensure; the atmosphere being moist, water freely between the pots, but never wet the leaves, Or disaster will, ensue. Keep them growing strongly and steadily, and as soon as buds are seen to be; forming, ; one or two very weak applications of manure water may be given; but it is best to commence wifrh. a. good staple rather than to rely on artificial feed-^ ing. Avoid using manure, water to,p /often, as if more nourishment is accords ed than the roots will digest, very sickly looking plants - will ;•, result. - Never water in constant Idriblets; wait until the surf ace soil; commences tp dry, and then give a thorough soakingl, enough to penetrate right through the. ball, then no more until at dries again. :-i '■■ i

The arrival of tlio resting period can be told by ths older leaves commencing to turn yellow.' and wate-ririg-must; be /gradually reduced. Do not stop this suddenly; a very gradual reduction is essential to tie perfect ripening; of the'tubers, and on the thorough; ripening depends next year's success, Throughout their culture/aid should beadffiitted cautiously, in sufficient^ quantities?, 'but strictly avoiding all dtaught; they appreciate swaTiii, still atnlpsphere. shake t>hei,fM?ea*s free pf the soilj and store in boxes of dry. sand and in-.-^an- absolutely frostproof place. Some lay the pots on their sides, and leavp them in the dry soil, but storage in sand is better.

Gloxinias are not difficult' plants to raise from, seed, but that of the finest quality shonld be> procured, and, for preference, I v should >recommend the erect-floTyoring strain, as these enajble one "appreciate the; full beauty by seeing right into the throat of the trumpet without having to raise it, as is tsie ease with the semi-drooping kinds. Seed should be sown in shallow seed pans, well drained, as previously described, and filled with very sandy loam. Sow thinly, and do not «over with soil, merely sprinkle with fine sand, and stand in a light, warm placeKeep regularly moist, with a temperature approximating GO to 65 degreesno more than moist, mind—iby immersing the pan nearly to the rim in tepid water, allowing this to percolate- upwaTds through the drainage hole. When large <m<mgSt to handle, easily transplant into shallow boxes, and whenthey have grown snflldently for the

leaves to touch, pot off into 3 inch pots, as before^ When they have filled these with roots Te-pot into 6 inch size to flower v and treat as old tubers. Early raised plants flower the same season; summer raised ones not till the next year.