MINA LOBATA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 20, 13 November 1912, Page 41

MINA LOBATA.

A lovely autumn flowering twiner from Mexico (belonging to the same, natural order as the convolvulus. Although allied to this family and now referred to as an Ipomaea, it must not be confused with the ordinary morning glories, on which in most cases the flowers are solitary, whereas on the Aliua lobatta, the flowers are borne on spikes from eight to ten inches in length, ranging from ten to twelve flowers about the size of salvia splendens upon each individual spike. The buds are at first a vivid red, but turn to orange yellow before they open and when fully expanded the flowers are of a creamy white.—-a lovely* combination with the three different shades of red, yellow and cream upon the same spike. This plant as a very rapid grower, and when grown in congenial soil, will attain a height of 15 feet in three months. The foliage is similar to that of Ipomaea batatas (sweet potato). It will be found an ideal flower for vases or table decoration as it will last for fully a iweek, cut. Coming into flower in late autumn when most flowers are on the wane, it fully deserves a place in every garden, more especially when cut flowers are a desideratum. 1 have grown this subject for many years and from the numerous inquiries regarding it, the following cultivation notes may perhaps prove useful. The seed is usually sown under glass in shallow boxes, in November, in the following compost—two of turf rubbed through a J inch sieve, one of sand and one of leaf mould. Keep the frame closed and shaded until the plants are about two inches high, then allow a little air

until the plants have attained rne lu-ighi of 4 inches, then pot them off into three or four inch pots and again keep (In frame close and shaded for a few d iyuntil they have taken root, then gri I ually harden off prior to removing to their permanent situation. The |-l:uit will adapt itself to almost any soil <>. situation provided the ground is well d.tg and enriched with stable manure. A handful of bonedust will also pro. ■ beneficial, also a mulch of stable manure, when about 4 feet high. It can be grown on a single pole but is seen to bc-t advantage when grown upon a trellis or over a summer house. Unfortunately, it is only an annual, nevertheless it will •amply repay for any little attention bestowed. ’ ’ H.W.D.