about one-half of the compost, the other half should be made up of
sand, broken bricks, and lime rubbish in equal quantities; the whole
to be carefully mixed together, and not used until it is moderately
dry. It is absolutely necessary to ensure perfect drainage; a good
"stopper" should, therefore, be placed over the hole at the bottom
of the pot, and about one-third of its depth filled with draining
material. The best time for potting is during February and March. Turn
out the plants, and remove nearly all the old soil from the roots,
taking away any dead or decaying roots which may be observable. Place
some of the roughest soil next the crocks, and gradually fill the pots
with the finer material, well working the same amongst the roots;
finally press the soil moderately firm. Do not water for a few days
after potting, but syringe every evening, especially if the weather be
fine; a little extra heat may be given after potting, to excite new,
healthy growth. It will not be necessary every year to repot specimens
in large vessels. A good top-dressing, with an occasional dose of weak
liquid manure, is all they will require for several seasons.
_Watering._ This must be discriminately managed, especially during the
winter; for, whatever their treatment as regards temperature during
that season, they must be studiously watered, and anything like a
saturated condition of the soil should be avoided. If the temperature
is brisk, a little water may be given once a week, or perhaps not quite
so often. If the plants are subjected to very cool treatment, water
must be sparingly administered during November, December, and January;
after which, they should be examined weekly, and very carefully
attended to. During the summer months, when in active growth, they
will not suffer if watered twice a week; and, on bright afternoons,
light syringings may be advantageously given.
_Propagation._ Three methods are adopted, viz., by cuttings or offsets,
grafting, and seeds; the former is the plan generally adopted. The
cuttings or offsets should be removed with a sharp cut, and laid upon a
sunny shelf until the wound is healed and roots are emitted, when they
should be potted in sandy soil, and placed with the others. They will
thrive freely if kept syringed. Grafting is resorted to with delicate
kinds, which, from some reason or another, will not grow freely except
upon the stock of a stronger species; and, by this means also, such
delicate kinds can be kept from the damp soil, which frequently causes
incipient decay. The stocks usually employed are those of _Cereus
tortuosus_, _C. peruvianus_, &c., according to the species intended for
working; they readily unite with each other. If the scion and stock are
both slender, wedge-grafting should be adopted; if both are broad, it
is best to make horizontal sections, placing them together and securing
in proper position by tying with matting, but not too tightly, or the
surface may be injured. Propagation by seeds is not often adopted, as
it is a very slow method; they should be sown in very sandy soil, and
placed in a semi-shady position until germination commences, when they
may be exposed, and very carefully watered.
=CACTUS DAHLIA.= _See_ =Dahlia Juarezii=.
=CADUCOUS.= Falling off soon; deciduous.
=CÆNOPTERIS.= _See_ =Asplenium=.
=CÆSALPINIA.= (in honour of Andreas Cæsalpinus, a celebrated Italian
botanist, 1519-1603). Brasiletto. ORD. _Leguminosæ_. An ornamental
genus of stove evergreen trees or shrubs, not much grown, on account
of the space required and the time the species take to flower. Flowers
yellow or red, produced in racemes, having a top-shaped calyx, divided
at the end into five parts, the lowest larger than the others; petals
five, unequal-stalked, upper one shortest; stamens ten. A mixture of
loam and leaf mould suits them best. Cuttings are somewhat difficult
to root, but sometimes will succeed if taken off from the mother plant
in a growing state and planted in sand, with a hand glass placed over
them, in heat.
=C. alternifolia= (alternate-leaved). _fl._ orange, clustered. _l._
alternate, very elegant, compound. Central America, 1868.
=C. brasiliensis= (Brazilian). Brazil Wood. _fl._ orange; racemes
rather panicled. _l._ with seven to nine pairs of pinnæ, each pinna
bearing about fifteen or sixteen pairs of oval-oblong, obtuse,
glabrous leaflets. Brazil, 1739. Plant unarmed.
=C. Sappan= (Sappan). _fl._ yellow, panicled. _l._ with ten to
twelve pairs of plane, each pinna bearing ten to twelve pairs of
unequal-sided, obliquely oval-oblong leaflets, which are emarginate
at the apex. _h._ 40ft. Tropical Asia, 1773. This tree furnishes
the Sappan-wood of commerce.
=C. sepiaria= (hedge). _fl._ yellow. April. _l._ compound; pinnæ
with about ten pairs of pinnules. _h._ 60ft. India, 1857. SYN.
_Biancea scandens_.
=CÆSIOUS.= Lavender-colour, bluish-grey.
=CÆSPITOSE.= Growing in tufts.
=CAFFER BREAD.= _See_ =Encephalartos Caffra=.
=CAFFER TEA.= _See_ =Helichrysum nudifolium=.
=CAFTA.= _See_ =Catha edulis=.
=CAHOUN NUTS.= A name applied to the fruits of _Attalea Cohune_, which
yield a valuable oil.
=CAIOPHORA.= _See_ =Blumenbachia= and =Loasa=.
=CAJAN.= _See_ =Cajanus=.
=CAJANUS= (_Catjang_ is the Amboyna name). Cajan. ORD. _Leguminosæ_. A
genus of erect stove evergreen shrubs, clothed with velvety pubescence.
Flowers yellow, distinctly peduncled, corymbose, racemose; standard
sometimes beautifully veined with red. Leaves pinnately trifoliate.
A light rich soil suits these plants well. Young cuttings will root
in sand, with a hand glass placed over them, in heat; but plants are
usually raised from seeds, obtained from the West Indian Islands and
India.
=C. indicus= (Indian).* Pigeon Pea. _fl._ yellow, or
purple-spotted, in axillary racemes. July. _l._ pinnately
trifoliate; leaflets lanceolate. _h._ 6ft. to 10ft. India. (B. M.
6440.)
=C. i. bicolor= (two-coloured). _fl._ yellow. July. _h._ 4ft.
India, 1800. (B. R. 31, 31.)
=C. i. flavus= (yellow). _fl._ yellow. July. _h._ 4ft. India, 1687.
=CAJUPUT OIL= and =CAJUPUT-TREE=. _See_ =Melaleuca leucadendron minor=.
=CAKILE= (derived from the Arabic). Sea Rocket. ORD. _Cruciferæ_. A
pretty hardy annual, frequently found on sea-shores. It is of easy
culture in most sandy soils. Propagated by seed, sown in spring.
=C. maritima= (sea). _fl._ lilac, large, densely corymbose. Summer
and autumn. _fr._ a succulent pod, divided, when mature, by a
horizontal partition into two cells, the upper containing a single
erect seed, the lower a pendulous one. _l._ oblong, deeply lobed,
fleshy. Stem much branched. _h._ 1ft. Sea-shores of Europe and
North America.
=CALABASH NUTMEG.= _See_ =Monodora Myristica=.
=CALABASH, SWEET.= _See_ =Passiflora maliformis=.
=CALABASH-TREE.= _See_ =Crescentia Cujete=.
=CALABA-TREE.= _See_ =Calophyllum Calaba=.
=CALADENIA= (from _kalos_, beautiful, and _aden_, a gland; in reference
to the disk of the labellum being finely beset with glands). ORD.
_Orchideæ_. A genus of pretty greenhouse terrestrial orchids from
New Zealand and Australia. They should be kept in a cool frame or
greenhouse, and carefully watered, when not in a growing state. A
compost of peat, loam, and sand, in equal parts, suits them well.
Over thirty species are enumerated, but probably none are seen out of
botanic gardens.
=CALADIUM= (derivation of name doubtful; probably of Indian origin).
ORD. _Aroideæ_. Stove perennials, chiefly grown for the great beauty
and varied hue of their leaves. Spathe hood-like, rolled round at
the base; spadix, upper portion entirely covered with stamens, but
ultimately becoming bare at the extreme top, provided with blunt
glands or sterile stamens in the middle, and ovaries beneath; anthers
shield-shaped and one-celled; ovaries numerous, two-celled, with from
two to four ascending ovules in each cell. Leaves upon long petioles,
more or less sagittate, ovate, and usually very richly coloured.
Fruit a one or two-celled berry, with few seeds. They are all of easy
culture, and grow freely in a humid atmosphere. In March, when the
tubers have been kept dry or rested for some time, they may be started
into growth again, in small pots, placed in a stove or pit, where a
night temperature of from 60deg. to 65deg. is maintained, and syringed
daily once or twice at least. As soon as indications of activity are
presented, they may be shifted into 4in., 5in., or 6in. pots, or
larger ones may be used if good sized specimens are required. If the
tubers should be in large pots, it is best to turn them out, dividing
if necessary, and placing all the crowns in small pots, from which
they can be removed when root action and growth are resumed, and they
require more room. Large tubers, if sound, may be divided, and the
pieces placed in pots of such sizes as it is desired to grow them in.
_Soil._ Turfy loam, leaf mould, turfy peat, and a little well
decomposed manure, in equal parts (not broken up too fine), with a
good sprinkling of sharp sand, form an excellent compost, the whole
being well incorporated together. Thorough drainage must be insured,
as these plants require an abundance of water. After potting, they
should be placed in a stove temperature, and kept well moistened by
syringing two or three times daily. If accommodated with mild bottom
heat at this time, they will make much freer and more vigorous growth
than if otherwise treated. Water sparingly at first, but as soon as
the leaves expand, increase the supply; and, when the pots are well
filled with roots, apply clear liquid manure at every other time of
watering. As the season advances, the temperature and humidity of the
house should be increased. During bright sunshine, Caladiums should be
slightly shaded for a few hours in the middle of the day, with some
thin material, just to break the fierceness of the sun's rays; but the
more they are exposed to the light at other times during growth, the
brighter, richer, and more beautiful will the foliage be. As soon as
the plants have attained a good size, some of them should be placed in
the coolest part of the house, and partially hardened off; they may
then be taken to the conservatory, allowing them a situation free from
currents of cold air, and giving water only when really necessary. They
may remain here for some time, but care must be taken to return them to
the stove before they suffer from cold.
Small neatly grown specimens make beautiful ornaments for table
decoration, and their suitability for exhibition purposes is well
known, and largely taken advantage of. Towards autumn, and as the
foliage begins to fade, the supply of water should be gradually
lessened, until all the leaves die down; the pots should then be placed
under the stage in the stove, where they can be looked to now and then,
and a little water given if required. By no means allow the tubers to
get dried up, as is often done; for, if so, they will frequently rot
away inside; whereas, kept in a semi-moist condition, even the most
delicate can be preserved. In this state, they may remain until the
following season. Caladiums will not endure a very low temperature;
from 55deg. to 60deg. is as low as they can be safely kept. Very few of
those known as "true species" are grown, being superseded, for general
decorative purposes, by the numerous hybrids which have been raised of
late, principally from _C. bicolor_.
[Illustration: FIG. 313. CALADIUM CHANTINII.]
=C. argyrites= (silvery).* _l._ small, sagittate, round colour
light green; centre and margins white, with many irregular white
blotches scattered over the remaining portion. Para, 1858. One of
the smallest and most elegant of the genus, and much esteemed for
table decoration. (I. H. 1858, 185.)
=C. Baraquinii= (Baraquin's). _l._ from 20in. to 30in. long; centre
deep red; margin dark green. Para, 1858. (I. H. 1850, 257.)
=C. bicolor= (two-coloured).* _fl._, spadix shorter than the
hooded spathe, which is contracted in the middle. June. _l._
peltate-cordate, sagittate, coloured in the disk. _h._ 1ft.
Brazil, 1773. (B. M. 820.)
=C. Cannartii= (Cannart's). _l._ green, with pale blotches; veins
deep red. Para, 1863.
=C. Chantinii= (Chantin's).* _l._ chiefly brilliant crimson,
irregularly blotched with white, and margined with dark green.
Para, 1858. See Fig. 313.
=C. Devosianum= (Devosie's).* _l._ angular, blotched white and
pink. Para, 1862.
=C. esculentum= (edible). Synonymous with _Colocasia esculenta_.
=C. Hardii= (Hardy's). _l._ red-tinged, slightly spotted with
white. Para, 1862.
=C. Kochii= (Koch's).* _l._ spotted with white. Para, 1862.
=C. Lemaireanum= (Lemaire's). _l._ green, with whitish venation.
Brazil, 1861. (I. H. 1862, 311.)
=C. Leopoldi= (Prince Leopold's).* _l._ green, marbled with red,
and blotched with pink. Para, 1864.
=C. macrophyllum= (large-leaved).* _l._ large, palish green,
blotched with greenish-white. Para, 1862.
[Illustration: FIG. 314. CALADIUM MACULATUM.]
=C. maculatum= (spotted).* _l._ oblong, acuminate, cuspidate,
cordate at base, finely spotted with clear white. Plant erect,
caulescent. South America, 1820. See Fig. 314.
=C. marmoratum= (marbled).* _l._ broad, peltate, upwards of 1ft.
long, sagittate-ovate, acute or shortly acuminate, the two basal
lobes being slightly divergent, dark bottle-green, variegated with
greyish or silvery angular spots and blotches; petioles terete,
greenish, mottled with purple. Guayaquil. SYN. _Alocasia Roezlii_.
The variety _costata_ differs from the type in having the midrib
(or costa) marked out by a tapering band of silver grey.
=C. Rougieri= (Rougier's). _l._ green, with white spots; the centre
pale green, with red veins. Para, 1864.
=C. rubronervium= (red-nerved). A synonym of _C. rubrovenium_.
=C. rubrovenium= (red-veined).* _l._ greyish-green in the centre,
with red veins. Para, 1862. SYN. _C. rubronervium_.
=C. sanguinolentum= (blood-red blotched).* _l._ with a white
midrib, blotched with red. Amazons, 1872.
=C. Schoelleri= (Schoeller's). A synonym of _C. Schomburgkii_.
=C. Schomburgkii= (Schomburgk's).* _l._ green, with white veins.
Brazil, 1861. SYNS. _C. Schoelleri_ and _Alocasia argyroneura_.
=C. S. Schmitzii= (Schmitz's). _l._, centre whitish, with green
network; midrib and veins red. 1861. SYN. _Alocasia erythræa_.
=C. sub-rotundum= (half-round). _l._ roundish, spotted with red and
white. Brazil. 1858.
=C. Verschaffeltii= (Verschaffelt's).* _l._ somewhat heart-shaped;
ground colour brilliant green, entire surface irregularly spotted
with bright red. Para.
=C. Wallisii= (Wallis's). _l._ dark olive green, with large
irregular shaped spots and blotches of the purest white, and the
veins all yellowish-white. Para, 1864.
The following descriptive list of hybrid varieties is, for the most
part, a selection from Mr. Bull's catalogue, and contains all of
importance: