. Cyclopedia of American horticulture, comprising suggestions for cultivation of horticultural plants, descriptions of the species of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants sold in the United States and Canada, together with geographical and biographical sketches. Gardening. 181. Camellia-flowered Balsam. stalks ; sepals and petals similarly colored and not easily distinguished, one of the sepals (of which there seem to be 3) long-spurred ; petals apparently 3, but two of them probably represent two united petals, thus making 5 ; stamens 5. The pod, shown in Figs. 179 and 180, is e
. Cyclopedia of American horticulture, comprising suggestions for cultivation of horticultural plants, descriptions of the species of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants sold in the United States and Canada, together with geographical and biographical sketches. Gardening. 181. Camellia-flowered Balsam. stalks ; sepals and petals similarly colored and not easily distinguished, one of the sepals (of which there seem to be 3) long-spurred ; petals apparently 3, but two of them probably represent two united petals, thus making 5 ; stamens 5. The pod, shown in Figs. 179 and 180, is explosive. It has 5 carpels and very thin partitions, and seeds borne on axile placentae. When the capsules are ripe, a pinch or concussion will cause the valves to separate and contract, the seeds being thrown with considerable force. The full-double Balsams are known as the Camellia- flowered varieties (Fig. 181). In well selected stock, the greater part of the flowers from any batch of seedlings should come very double. The colors range from white to dark blood-red, yellowish and spotted. Balsams are of very easy culture. They are tender, and should be started in thumb-pots or boxes indoors, or in the open when danger of frost is past. The seeds are large, and germinate quickly. The plants prefer a rich, sandy loam, and must not suffer for moisture. Transplanting, and pinching-in the strong shoots, tend to make the plants dwarf and compact. It is well to remove the first flower-buds, especially if the plants are not thoroughly established. Better results are obtained when only a few main branches are allowed to grow, all the secondary and weak ones being pinched out. The lower Ivs. may. 182. The gaiden Balsam. he removed if they obscure the fls. Well grown plants should stand 2 ft. apart each way, and the tall kinds will reach a height of 2-2% ft. Seed of the finest double strains is expensive, but inferior or common seed gives little satisfaction. Plants started early in May
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