SMILAX.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4, 24 July 1912, Page 38

SMILAX.

Tiie value of trailing sprays of Smilax is appreciated perhaps by those who have to make provision for table decoration more than an- one else. and. like the

other useful foliage plants, as the Asparagus. Smilax does liest when grown in a warm, humid atmosphere. as that ot a stove, for instam-e. but it also is wortii growing in an ordinary greenhoii***. Smilax may Im* propagated by thr»e method, fr< m cuttings, from root di' i*i"ii. or from seed. I <l<» not think the la*t-naimd method i* practised near so mm h <i- it might be. and as *eed may now. I call attention of readers who have not overmuch gla*s. but who m verthele— are favourably disposed to thi* v»iy Iwautiful frail-growing creeper. Seed should Im* sown in shallow pans of light loam and leaf mould, and plated in a propagiting pit where the advantage of a little b« ttom heat may be felt. Tin* young wed ling* should le jx>tted off when large enough. a stake Ixdng placed to each until the plant is large enough to run up strong twine, which may be fastened to the rafters. I have seen the l»a« k wall of a lean-to conservatory covered in this way . ami would al* • point out that they gi< w with great rapidity in Incise* dev< ted to cucumbers. The shade afforded by the latter, coupled with the

moist heat of the place, suiting Smilax admirably. Indeed, when the young plants can be given the abnormal warm and moist conditions they will grow with great rapidity. As is well known, the trailing sprays of Smilax last for several days in a good state, and are almost indispensable in some forms of table decoration. Although additional warmth and moisture helps growth, it ought not to l»e forgotten that these plants do remarkably well in an ordinary greenhouse in the summer, provided they can be afforded some little shade from the sun.