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The plant known to the trade as Metrosideros robusta, Fig. 2369, and which is probably Callistemon lanceolatus, has been grown for many years as a cool greenhouse plant, but it is only within recent time that Europeans have been sending American florists the compact little bushes that arrive with the azaleas. The city florist can perhaps dispose of one of these bottle- brushes for every ten plants of Azalea indica. Plants in 6-inch pots, well flowered, fixed with a red ribbon and placed in a modern basket, certainly look novel and attractive. The Belgians grow the young plants in peat, as they do most hard- wooded plants, but they do very well in good turfy loam with a fourth of leaf-mold. Cuttings of the young growth may be struck in early spring and planted out in good soil by the end of May, but it is cheaper to import stock. When the plants arrive, soak the ball of roots, pot firmly and place them in a house of about 45°. Freshly imported plants cannot be forced in much heat, like azaleas, or they will shed their flowers. Watch them carefully, give them more heat gradually and they will bloom for Easter. Plants unsold the first spring will be much more satisfactory the second year. By the end of April cut them back to within 1 or 2 inches of the old growth, put them in a good heat and keep them syringed. They will make a bushy growth, with a good number of shoots. Early in June plunge them in a sunny spot outdoors, with the rim of the pot well covered, and be careful that they do not suffer for water in hot weather. In July, or earlier, mulch the pots with an inch of half-decomposed cow- manure. Before frost, remove the plants to a temperature of 45° or warmer if bloom is desired before Easter.

The plant known to the trade as Metrosideros robusta, Fig. 2369, and which is probably Callistemon lanceolatus, has been grown for many years as a cool greenhouse plant, but it is only within recent time that Europeans have been sending American florists the compact little bushes that arrive with the azaleas. The city florist can perhaps dispose of one of these bottle- brushes for every ten plants of Azalea indica. Plants in 6-inch pots, well flowered, fixed with a red ribbon and placed in a modern basket, certainly look novel and attractive. The Belgians grow the young plants in peat, as they do most hard- wooded plants, but they do very well in good turfy loam with a fourth of leaf-mold. Cuttings of the young growth may be struck in early spring and planted out in good soil by the end of May, but it is cheaper to import stock. When the plants arrive, soak the ball of roots, pot firmly and place them in a house of about 45°. Freshly imported plants cannot be forced in much heat, like azaleas, or they will shed their flowers. Watch them carefully, give them more heat gradually and they will bloom for Easter. Plants unsold the first spring will be much more satisfactory the second year. By the end of April cut them back to within 1 or 2 inches of the old growth, put them in a good heat and keep them syringed. They will make a bushy growth, with a good number of shoots. Early in June plunge them in a sunny spot outdoors, with the rim of the pot well covered, and be careful that they do not suffer for water in hot weather. In July, or earlier, mulch the pots with an inch of half-decomposed cow- manure. Before frost, remove the plants to a temperature of 45° or warmer if bloom is desired before Easter.

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Image:Akaroa_Pohutukawa.jpg| Metrosideros excelsa in Akaroa, New Zealand.

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