STREPTOCARPUS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1930, Page 18

STREPTOCARPUS.

These are a genera of plants which, although knowri°to cultivation for many years, are very seldom seen growing. There is nothing difficult about their cultivation, but they are one of those

plants of which it can bo said: “It Is not so much what they want, as what they do not want.” Planted in a welldrained soil largely composed of peat or leaf soil, in a shady position in a cool greenhouse, they are very nice. A o-ood position for them is under the erreenhouse stage, provided, of course, that too much rubbish is not thrown about. They need heavy shade and must never be allowed to get dry. They need a treatment somewhat similar to gloxinias, but are not tuberous-rooted and will flower almost the year round if conditions are right. They do well in pots, but are better when the. large, velvety leaves are allowed to lie flat on the ground. The plant will often make a leaf over a foot long. The seed is very fine and should be sown in a pot of.light, sandy soil. The seed should not be covered with soil, but the pot should be covered with a piece of glass to prevent the surface drying.