EUPHORBIA FAMILY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 150, 27 June 1931, Page 7 (Supplement)

EUPHORBIA FAMILY

BEAUTY OF POINSETTIAS Poinsettia pulcherrima, or euphorbia, to which genus it belongs, is popular in flower gardens. Early flowers of this attractive plant are produced on potgrown plants under glass and are now available for house decorations. Outdoor grown plants are much later than usual in coming into flower and have, in several instances, been spoilt by the recent exceptionally heavy early frosts. As is the case with most of the species, the beauty of the flowers consist in the vermillion coloured bracts that surround the small greenish-yellow flowers. There is a variety plensissima with double series of bracts. The poinsettia is a native of Mexico, the home of so many beautiful flowering plants. It is propagated from cuttings taken off at the time of pruning. When inserted in the open ground in a warm, sheltered position they strike readily. Annual are always necessary by cutting the shoots hard back. Trained against the sunny side of the house or fence it escapes any heavy frosts. This species is a valuable addition to winter flowers. Planted in the open ground it requires a sheltered sunny position and succeeds in any ordinary garden soils. Euphorbia Fulgens. Euphorbia fulgens, better known under the old name Jacquiniaeflora, is also a winter flowercr. It produces long sprays of small bright orangescarlet flower in bracts. It is a slender growing plant that requires hot-house or green-house culture. In repotting the roots must not be disturbed. Locally it may be grown iu the ordinary glass-house. The small flowers are produced all along the upper part of the stem. They will last for a long time after being cut and are much esteemed for florists’ work. After the flowering is over the plants require to be kept dry for two months or more. This is also a native of Mexico, and one of the most handsome of winterflowering pot plants.