Winter flowering plants are not too plentiful, at least such as will
bloom in the cool temperature of a greenhouse; we have many fine winter
flowering exotics, but they either require a hothouse temperature to
bloom freely, or are more difficult to manage during summer; we are
indebted to the Celestials for many of our most valuable winter flowers,
Azaleas, Camellias and among others that beautiful little gem the Chinese
primrose. They are all of hardy and robust habit, and are thus within
the reach of all, so far as cultivation is concerned, a recommendation
of much importance to those amateurs who cannot devote much time to
their collection. It has often occurred to me when visiting amateurs’
greenhouses, that they would derive much more pleasure from their labors
were they more select in the choice of their plants, choosing those
only of known hardy and free blooming qualities, instead of aiming at a
varied assortment, often expensive, and rarely satisfactory. I was more
deeply impressed with this fact during a visit to an enthusiastic amateur
last winter. On entering his greenhouse I was struck with the gay and
cheerful appearance it presented, and it was only when about leaving that
I observed the only plants in flower were a few Camellias, two or three
Cinnerarias, and a quantity of Primulas of various colors, but these were
so well arranged and set off with a profusion of healthy foliage, and the
Primroses showing such fine rounded trusses, that I am confident not one
person in ten would have noticed this simplicity of its production.
Although this plant is very hardy, I am aware that many amateurs are
not so successful with it as they would wish. This, I presume, arises
principally from its liability to decay if kept too damp at root, either
from using pots of a large size, or supplying water too freely. Four and
six inch pots will be found of ample size, not that a plant will not grow
in a pot three feet in diameter as well as it would in one inches. The
only difference would be that, in the former, the plant would probably
require water once a month and the latter daily.
To keep up a succession of flowers for four or five months, seed should
be put in at intervals of five or six weeks, from June to September,
soil of a sandy nature should be prepared, and the seeds very slightly
covered. The front shelf in the greenhouse will be a suitable place for
them while growing, they should be encouraged by transplanting into a
shallow box as soon as the first true leaf makes its appearance. If
thinly planted (not closer than three inches) they can remain until
sufficiently strong to be placed at once into flowering pots. These must
be well drained by placing a handful of broken material in each pot.
If attention is paid to this, there will be little fear of damp, if
ordinary care is given in watering. Two small stakes should be inserted
one each side of the plant, crossing other at top, no tying will be
necessary, this will prevent them from toppling over and breaking off
at the neck where they are very weak. A few of the latest sowing should
be set apart for seedling. A little care and attention should be given
to their selection, choosing those with large, well colored fringed
flowers. Sometimes they incline to be semi-double; these should have
the preference. About the middle of May they should be set out in the
sun, watered regularly, and if they receive an occasional application
of manure water the value of the seed will be enhanced. Under these
conditions an abundance of seed will be secured. It is not worth trouble
to preserve old plants; young ones flowering with much more vigour; any
particularly fine variety, however, may be turned out of the pot after
it has done blooming, some of the old soil removed and replaced in fresh
compost. The double varieties are much superior to the single ones. They
are increased by dividing the plant into cuttings. To propagate them
requires a cool dry situation, partially shaded, paying great attention
in watering, they must be kept rather dry until they begin to show
symptoms of growth; otherwise they are certain to decay. It is probably
on this account that they are not so extensively cultivated as they
deserve to be.