. Dreer's Select Gloxinias. DREEK'S SELECT GLOXINIAS. The following cultural notes have been written by Mr. Eben. E. Rexford expressly for this book: "The Gloxinia ought to be one of our common plants be- cause of its great beauty, the profusion of its flowers, and its summer-blooming habit. But it is not common, by any means, .and this fact is attributable almost entirely to the impression that prevails to a great extent that it is a very difficult plant to grow—quite beyond the ability of the amateur, in fact. Such is not the case, however, if one goes at it in the right way. It is a pl
. Dreer's Select Gloxinias. DREEK'S SELECT GLOXINIAS. The following cultural notes have been written by Mr. Eben. E. Rexford expressly for this book: "The Gloxinia ought to be one of our common plants be- cause of its great beauty, the profusion of its flowers, and its summer-blooming habit. But it is not common, by any means, .and this fact is attributable almost entirely to the impression that prevails to a great extent that it is a very difficult plant to grow—quite beyond the ability of the amateur, in fact. Such is not the case, however, if one goes at it in the right way. It is a plant that is rather particular about the soil it grows in. Pot it in ordinary garden loam, and it will seldom do well. But give it a soil of one part loam, one part turfy matter or leafmold, and one part sharp sand, with a sprinkling of fine bonemeal, and it will flourish luxuriantly, often produc- ing leaves six inches in length and four inches wide, and sometimes larger. These will droop and entirely hide the pot in which the plant grows, and above them it will lift its trumpet-shaped flowers of pure white, red, crimson and purple, some mottled and spotted with contrasting colors in most fantastic fashion, and most of them with a throat of a color m striking contrast with that of the ruffled, overlapping petals. The effect of such richness of color combined with fantastic variegation is simply superb, and the flower-loving person who sees a collection of well-grown Gloxinias will be sure to want to try his or her skill in growing them. The pots in which they are grown should be given the best of drainage, and great care should be taking in watering. A soil that becomes sour, or heavy from the excessive use of water will almost invariably cause them to blast or drop their buds. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist, but never allow it to become like mud and remain so for any length of time if you want fine Gloxinias. In watering, be very careful to not let any get on their leaves
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