| ''Lapageria rosea'' and ''Philesia buxifolia'' have been hybridized by Veitch, producing a plant known as ''Philageria Veitchii'', Philesia afforded the pollen. It is not in the American trade, but is a most interesting hybrid. For an anatomical study of it, bearing on problems of hybridity. | | ''Lapageria rosea'' and ''Philesia buxifolia'' have been hybridized by Veitch, producing a plant known as ''Philageria Veitchii'', Philesia afforded the pollen. It is not in the American trade, but is a most interesting hybrid. For an anatomical study of it, bearing on problems of hybridity. |
− | ''Lapageria rosea and ''L. var. albiflora'' should occupy a position in all cool greenhouse collections. We have no cool greenhouse twining plants that can be compared with them. They can be grown in large pots, trained on a trellis as specimen plants, or if for cut-flowers, they may be planted out on a bench or in a border. Strict attention must be paid to drainage, and the soil must not get into a "sour" condition.—Layering is the best way to propagate lapagerias. When a shoot gets somewhat bare of foliage, it may be twisted backward and forward in a box near where the plant is growing. The box should be filled first, with sand and fine peat, in equal proportion, to the depth of about 3 inches. Peg the shoot to keep it in position and cover with some of the compost. If there are leaves on the shoot, cover them only about one-third. Keep the soil moderately moist; and in time growths will start from the joints, which after a while will throw out roots, and when a sufficient number are formed to support the plants, separate them from the stem and place them in pots large enough to receive the roots without breaking them. The potting material should be one part fiber of loam, out of which all the fine loam has been shaken, one part osmunda fern root (osmundine), one part charcoal, and one part sharp sand. Water carefully until they get a good hold on the compost, after which they may be kept moderately moist. Lapagerias require to be at all times shaded from the sun, and kept in as cool a temperature as possible. A north house, from which the frost is kept, is an ideal position. If the plants are to be grown in pots, they must be shifted into larger pots before they get too well rooted. This will encourage strong breaks to start, from the bottom. These shoots, as soon as they emerge from the soil, should have a piece of cotton-wool twisted around them, for if there are any snails nearby, they will be sure to eat the tender tops, which will ruin the plants. A few stakes should be placed around the pot, to which to tie the shoots, until such time as the plants are big enough to train on the permanent trellis. Be sure to tie them in a regular way, as they will be easier untwisted when the time arrives for their removal.If lapagerias are intended to be planted on a bench or in a border, they should be well established in pots first. Do not fill all the bench or border at once; it is better to supply only enough material to last for one season, adding a little each year as they require it. The compost should be same as advised for potting, and it should be in rather a lumpy state, as lapagerias do not thrive in any soil of an adhesive nature. The bench or border should be well drained, so that the water may pass through freely, copious supplies being necessary when they are in active growth. After they are well established, treat with manure-water as advised for ixoras. Insect pests may be destroyed by fumigating with hydrocyanic gas in cool weather, and a free use of the syringe at all times. | + | ''Lapageria rosea'' and ''L. var.albiflora'' should occupy a position in all cool greenhouse collections. We have no cool greenhouse twining plants that can be compared with them. They can be grown in large pots, trained on a trellis as specimen plants, or if for cut-flowers, they may be planted out on a bench or in a border. Strict attention must be paid to drainage, and the soil must not get into a "sour" condition.—Layering is the best way to propagate lapagerias. When a shoot gets somewhat bare of foliage, it may be twisted backward and forward in a box near where the plant is growing. The box should be filled first, with sand and fine peat, in equal proportion, to the depth of about 3 inches. Peg the shoot to keep it in position and cover with some of the compost. If there are leaves on the shoot, cover them only about one-third. Keep the soil moderately moist; and in time growths will start from the joints, which after a while will throw out roots, and when a sufficient number are formed to support the plants, separate them from the stem and place them in pots large enough to receive the roots without breaking them. The potting material should be one part fiber of loam, out of which all the fine loam has been shaken, one part osmunda fern root (osmundine), one part charcoal, and one part sharp sand. Water carefully until they get a good hold on the compost, after which they may be kept moderately moist. Lapagerias require to be at all times shaded from the sun, and kept in as cool a temperature as possible. A north house, from which the frost is kept, is an ideal position. If the plants are to be grown in pots, they must be shifted into larger pots before they get too well rooted. This will encourage strong breaks to start, from the bottom. These shoots, as soon as they emerge from the soil, should have a piece of cotton-wool twisted around them, for if there are any snails nearby, they will be sure to eat the tender tops, which will ruin the plants. A few stakes should be placed around the pot, to which to tie the shoots, until such time as the plants are big enough to train on the permanent trellis. Be sure to tie them in a regular way, as they will be easier untwisted when the time arrives for their removal.If lapagerias are intended to be planted on a bench or in a border, they should be well established in pots first. Do not fill all the bench or border at once; it is better to supply only enough material to last for one season, adding a little each year as they require it. The compost should be same as advised for potting, and it should be in rather a lumpy state, as lapagerias do not thrive in any soil of an adhesive nature. The bench or border should be well drained, so that the water may pass through freely, copious supplies being necessary when they are in active growth. After they are well established, treat with manure-water as advised for ixoras. Insect pests may be destroyed by fumigating with hydrocyanic gas in cool weather, and a free use of the syringe at all times. |