Colletia.Rhamneæ.
Increased by cuttings of half-ripened wood, six to eight inches in length, in a cool greenhouse.
Collinsonia.Labiatæ.
Increased readily by dividing roots in spring; also seeds.
Colocasia.SeeCaladium.
Columbine.SeeAquilegia.
Colutea(Bladder Senna).Leguminosæ.
Propagated by seeds, or by cuttings, placed in sandy soil in the autumn.
Combretum.Combretaceæ.
Increased by cuttings of side shoots, taken off with a heel, planted in sand under glass, and placed in heat.
Comesperma.Polygaleæ.
Seeds. Propagated by young cuttings, which root freely if planted in sand under glass.
Comfrey.SeeSymphytum.
Commelina.Commelinaceæ.
Increased by seeds. By cuttings, which will root in sand, in a gentle hot-bed.
Comocladia(Maiden Plum).Anacardiaceæ.
Seeds. Propagated by ripened cuttings, which will root in sand if placed under glass, in heat.
Comparettia.Orchideæ.
Increased by division of the plants. (See underOrchids.)
Comptonia(Sweet Fern).Myricaceæ.
Seeds; by dividing the clumps, and by layers, which should be put down in autumn.
Conocarpus(Button-tree).Combretaceæ.
Seeds. Increased by cuttings of firm shoots, taken in April, in bottom heat.
Convallaria(Lily of the Valley).Liliaceæ.
Increased by “crowns” or “pips” (seeFig. 17), which are the separated growing points of the roots, possessing a strong bud. These crowns can be obtained from any well established bed in the fall, but they are usually imported.
Convolvulus(Bindweed).Convolvulaceæ.
Seeds of the hardy annuals should be sown in spring in the open border. The hardy perennials may be increased by seeds sown in spring, by division of the roots, and by young cuttings.
Coprosma.Rubiaceæ.
Increased by layers and cuttings.
Coptis.Ranunculaceæ.
Propagated by seeds and division of the roots.
Cordia, Varronia.Boragineæ.
Seeds. Increased by cuttings, green or ripe, which strike root readily in sand, in heat.
Corema(Portugal Crakeberry, Crowberry).Empetraceæ.
Seeds. Propagated by cuttings planted during summer.
Coreopsis, Calliopsis.Compositæ.
The hardy annuals, which are largely grown under the name of calliopsis for summer ornamentation, by seed, which should be sown in March in a gentle heat, or outside later. The perennials are propagated also by divisions of the root in autumn or spring, or during the summer by young cuttings, which will strike freely in a cold-frame.
Coriander(Coriandrum sativum).Umbelliferæ.
Seeds sown in fall or spring.
Corn.SeeMaize.
Corn Salad(Valerianella, several species).Valerianeæ.
Seeds sown in spring, summer or autumn.
Cornus(Dogwood Osier).Cornaceæ.
Increased by seed, suckers of soft wood, layers or cuttings. The herbaceous species,C. CanadensisandC. Suecica, may be increased by division, as also by seeds. The willow-like cornuses grow from cuttings of ripe wood. Named varieties and some species are budded in many cases, especially all the weak-growing sorts.Cornus Mas, raised from seed, is the favorite stock. Shield-budding in late summer and veneer-grafting are most successful. (SeeFig. 44.)
Coronilla.Leguminosæ.
By seeds sown as soon as ripe. The hardy species by division. Cuttings strike freely if placed in cold-frames or a cool house under a hand-glass in spring, and when calloused, introduced to gentle bottom heat.
Correa.Rutaceæ.
Seeds. May be propagated by cuttings very readily. Varieties are usually grafted onC. alba.
Cortusa(Bear’s-ear Sanicle).Primulaceæ.
Increased by seed sown as soon as ripe in a cold-frame; also by carefully dividing the roots.
Coryanthes.SeeStanhopea.
Corydalis.Fumarieæ.
Increased by seeds, or by dividing the plants directly after flowering. The bulbous-rooted species by offsets.
Corylus(Hazel; Cob-nut).Cupuliferæ.
Propagated by seeds, suckers, layers or cuttings. Grafting and budding are each practicable, and are adopted when growing tall standards or scarce varieties. The seed of all should be sown as soon as gathered, or stored in sand till the following spring. All superior varieties should be increased by suckers or layers. Stools kept for layering must be allowed to make more growth than those used for suckers. Free growth must be encouraged for a year or more, and, any suitable time in winter, the shoots should be bent to the ground, pegged firmly, and covered to the depth of three inches with earth. They will be well-rooted by the following autumn, and may then be removed and planted out permanently.
Corynostylis, Calyptrion.Violarieæ.
Increased by seeds, or by cuttings of the young wood, placed in sand in bottom heat, under glass.
Cosmos.Compositæ.
Seeds, usually started under glass. The tuberiferous species, like Dahlia, which see.
Costus.Scitamineæ.
Increased by dividing the roots.
Cotoneaster.Rosaceæ.
Propagated readily by seed, which should be sown in spring; by layers or cuttings in autumn, or by grafting onC. vulgaris, the common quince, or the hawthorn.
Cotton(Gossypium).Malvaceæ.
Seeds commonly. Grown as a curiosity under glass; it may be increased by soft cuttings.
Cotyledon(Navelwort).Crassulaceæ.
Increased by seed, offsets, cuttings of the stem, and by leaves. The leaves should be pulled off in autumn, laid on dry sand in pans on a shelf in a propagating or other warm house, and not watered until small plants appear at the ends of the leaves.
Cowslip.SeePrimula.
Crambe.Cruciferæ.
Increased by seeds, by dividing the roots and by root-cuttings. SeeSea-kale.
Cranberry(Vaccinium macrocarpon).Ericaceæ.
The cultivated cranberry is propagated entirely by cuttings. These are made from vigorous young runners, from six to ten inches in length, and they are thrust obliquely into the soil until only an inch or two of the tip projects. Some blunt instrument, as a stick, is commonly used to force them into the sand of cranberry bogs. Planting is done in the spring, and the cuttings are taken just previous to the operation. If cranberry seedlings are desired, the seeds should be sown in flats of peaty earth, which are stored until spring in some protected place, in the manner of stratification boxes. The seeds should be covered lightly, preferably with fine moss. The plants are allowed to grow the first year in the box.
Crassula.Crassulaceæ.
Seeds; also by cuttings, which should be taken off and laid for two or three days in the sun to dry before planting.
Cratægus(Haw, Hawthorn).Rosaceæ.
Propagated by stratified seeds. Some growers spread the haws in shallow piles in the fall, and allow them to decay, so that most of the pulp is removed before they are stratified. Haws often come irregularly, even from stratified seeds. The varieties are grafted, rarely budded, on common stocks.
Cress(Lepidium sativum).Cruciferæ.
Seeds, sown at any time of year. SeeWater-Cress.
Cress, American. SeeBarbarea.
Cress, Rock. SeeArabis.
Crinum.Amaryllideæ.
Increased by seed, sown singly as soon as ripe in three or four-inch pots, in sandy loam and leaf-mould. Place in atemperature of from 70° to 80°, and keep rather dry until the plants appear, when more moisture should be applied. Also increased by offsets, which should be removed when rather small and potted separately, and grown as recommended for seedlings.
Crithmum.Umbelliferæ.
Propagated by seeds sown as soon as ripe, and by divisions.
Crocosmia.Irideæ.
Propagated by seeds sown in pans in a cold house as soon as possible after maturity. Also by offsets.
Crocus.Irideæ.
Propagated by seed, sown as soon as ripe or early in spring, the choicer strains in pots or boxes, using a light, sandy soil, and afterwards placing them in a cold pit or frame; the more common varieties may be placed in a warm position outside in a seed bed. Sow thinly, so that the plants may grow two years in the seed pan or bed without lifting. By the corms. These may be lifted and replanted, allowing each in its turn to develop new corms below. The following year new corms, or cormels, are also formed by the side of the old corms. These old corms die away annually. Some species increase much more rapidly than others.
Crossandra, Harrachia.Acanthaceæ.
Seeds. Propagated by cuttings, which root freely at almost any time of the year, in bottom heat.
Crotalaria(Rattle-Box).Leguminosæ.
Increased by seeds. The shrubby kinds by young cuttings, which root freely in sand, under glass, in a cool house.
Croton.SeeCodiæum.
Crowea.Rutaceæ.
Seeds. Usually by green cuttings in a frame.
Crowfoot.SeeRanunculus.
Crucianella(Crosswort).Rubiaceæ.
Propagated by seeds, by divisions during spring or autumn, and by cuttings.
Cryptomeria(Japan Cedar).Coniferæ.
Increased by seeds, and by cuttings of growing wood planted in sandy soil, under glass.
Cryptostemma.Compositæ.
Propagated by seeds, which should be sown on a gentle hot-bed in early spring.
Cubeba.SeePiper.
Cucumber(Cucumis sativus).Cucurbitaceæ.
Seeds. If sown out-doors, the operation should be delayed until the weather is thoroughly settled.
Cucumber-tree.SeeMagnolia.
Cunninghamia(Broad-leaved China Fir).Coniferæ.
Increased by seeds and cuttings of growing wood.
Cuphea.Lythrarieæ.
Increased easily by seed; but cuttings of the perennial sorts strike freely in March or April, in brisk bottom heat.
Cupressus(Cypress).Coniferæ.
Seeds may be collected in early spring, and should be sown in April in a warm, friable soil. Cuttings of growing or mature wood, much as for Retinospora, which see.
Curculigo.Amaryllideæ.
Seeds; also by suckers, which form at the base of the stem.
Curcuma(Tumeric).Scitamineæ.
Increased by root division.
Currant(Ribes rubrum,R. nigrumandR. aureum).Saxifrageæ.
New varieties are grown from seeds, which may be sown in the fall or stratified until spring. Varieties are nearly always multiplied by hard-wood cuttings (Fig. 49). The cuttings may be taken in spring and placed directly in the ground, but better results are obtained by taking them in the fall or late summer. Many nurserymen prefer to take them in August, strip off the leaves, and bury them in bunches with the butts up. They may remain in this condition or in a cellar all winter, or they may be planted in the fall. Currant cuttings strike readily, however, under any method. Some growers cut out the buds which come below the surface of the ground to prevent suckering, but this is not generally practiced; the suckers are cut off when the cuttings are removed from the cutting bed, either to be sold or to be transplanted into nursery rows. Green-layering is sometimes practiced with rare sorts, or single eyes may be used, as in grapes. Tip-layering, as in the black raspberry, may also be employed. (Seepage 33.) Weak or low sorts are sometimes grafted uponstronger ones, in order to give them a tree form, but such bushes are grown only as curiosities or as specimen plants.
Cussonia.Araliaceæ.
Increased by cuttings, which should be planted in sand, under glass. Give slight bottom heat.
Custard Apple.SeeAnona.
Cyananthus.Campanulaceæ.
Seeds. Strong roots may be carefully divided in spring, but this is not desirable. Usually by cuttings, which should be taken during spring or early summer, and struck in sandy peat, being kept moist.
Cyanophyllum.Melastomaceæ.
Increased by seed. By cuttings or eyes, which should be placed in sand where a good bottom heat must be maintained, and they should be shaded from the sun.
Cyanotis.Commelinaceæ.
Seeds; usually by young cuttings in sandy soil, in brisk heat.
Cycas.Cycadaceæ.
Increased by seed, and oftener by suckers.
Cyathea.SeeFerns.
Cyclamen(Sowbread).Primulaceæ.
Propagated by seed, sown when freshly gathered; the hardy kinds in pots placed in a cool frame. By divisions and leaf cuttings, taken off with a heel; but these methods are not very satisfactory.
Cynoglossum.Boragineæ.
Propagated by seeds, divisions and root-cuttings.
Cypella.Irideæ.
Propagated by seed, sown as soon as ripe in a cool house, and by offsets.
Cyperus.Cyperaceæ.
Propagated either by seed, sown in gentle heat, or by divisions.
Cyphia.Campanulaceæ.
When the stems begin to push out from the root, cut off as many of the shoots as are required, and place them in small pots in an equal mixture of loam, peat, and sand in abundance.The young plants should be kept dry until callused, but not covered with glass. They may also be increased by cuttings, under a hand-glass in a cool house.
Cyphomandra(Tree Tomato of Jamaica).Solanaceæ.
Use seeds; or cuttings may be placed under glass, in bottom heat.
Cypress.SeeCupressus.
Cypripedium(Lady’s Slipper).Orchideæ.
By seeds sometimes. Usually by division. (See underOrchids.)
Cyrilla.Ericaceæ.
Propagated by seeds and cuttings.
Cyrtanthus.Amaryllideæ.
Propagated by offsets.
Cytisus(Scotch Broom).Leguminosæ.
By seeds and layers. In spring, cuttings of young wood may be taken when about three inches long (with a heel preferred), placed under a bell-glass in heat, or in a close frame, where they will root readily. If gradually hardened, potted and grown on, small flowering specimens may by obtained the following spring.C. purpureais usually grafted on the common laburnum.
Dacrydium(Tear Tree).Coniferæ.
Increased by fresh seed and ripened cuttings.
Daffodil.SeeNarcissus.
Dahlia.Compositæ.
Single varieties, and sometimes the doubles, are grown from seeds. The roots may be broken apart after the crowns have started in spring, and each part grown separately. The roots may be started into growth in heat late in winter, and the young sprouts may be removed and handled as ordinary cuttings as fast as they form. Or rare sorts may be increased during summer by cuttings from the growing tips. Cions made of the growing tips may be grafted into the roots by a cleft or side graft. This method is oftenest employed for the purpose of preserving over winter rare sorts which it is feared may be lost. The grafts are kept growing slowly during winter, and cuttings may be taken from them. Cuttings should always have a bud or buds at the base, and in propagation by division there must be a piece of the crown attached to the root.
Daisy.SeeBellis.
Dalbergia.Leguminosæ.
Place cuttings of firm young shoots in sand under a glass, in spring. Give a little bottom heat.
Dampiera.Goodenovieæ.
Divisions. Cuttings should be planted in a mixture of turfy loam, peat and sand, in heat.
Dandelion(Taraxacum officinale).Compositæ.
Seeds, in early spring.
Daphne.Thymelæaceæ.
Seeds. For layers, remove the soil in spring to a depth of two or three inches about the plant, and fill with fine compost to within two inches of the tops of the shoots. The next spring, carefully wash away the compost, and plant the small white buds in pots of fine soil. Place in a cool frame.
Cuttings should be made of matured shoots or side growths in autumn; insert thinly in well-drained pots of peaty soil, and cover with a bell-glass. If kept in a cool house in winter they will callus, and may, early in spring, be introduced to gentle heat, to encourage growth and the emission of roots. Pot the young plants singly, and grow on in a close but not high temperature, and afterwards harden and keep quite cool during the following autumn and winter, in order to thoroughly ripen the wood. Grafted specimens may be treated in a similar way.D. odorais propagated by ripened cuttings in a cool house, in sand. Sometimes the old wood can be used. The time is determined by the fitness of the wood.
Darlingtonia.Sarraceniaceæ.
Increased by seeds and by dividing the plants. Seeds may be sown on the surface of well-prepared fibrous soil, and then covered with dead sphagnum moss, rubbed through a sieve. Give shade.
Darwinia.Myrtaceæ.
Increased by cuttings of the young roots. Place in a cold-frame.
Dasylirion.Liliaceæ.
Increased by seeds, suckers and cuttings.
Date(Phœnix dactylifera).Palmæ.
The seeds from commercial dates grow readily, and without the intervention of stratification. Special varieties arepropagated by a sort of cutting, made by removing and rooting the sprouts which appear about the base of the tree. These root readily if taken off green and liberally supplied with water. They often begin to bear in five or six years.
Date Palm.SeePhœnix.
Datisca.Datisceæ.
May be increased by seeds, and by dividing well established plants.
Datura, including Brugmansia, Ceratocaulis and Stramonium.Solanaceæ.
The annual species are propagated by seeds, which are started under cover in the north. The perennials are readily grown from cuttings in mild heat. Heeled shoots are usually preferred.
Daubenya.Liliaceæ.
Increased by offsets.
Davallia.Filices.
Propagated largely by division. SeeFerns.
Daviesia.Leguminosæ.
Seed may be sown in slight heat in spring. Cuttings may be made of firm young shoots, and placed in sand under a frame.
Day Lily.SeeHemerocallis.
Deciduous Cypress.SeeTaxodium.
Decumaria.Saxifrageæ.
Seeds. Cuttings may be made in summer, and placed under a frame in a shady situation.
Delphinium(Larkspur).Ranunculaceæ.
Seeds may be sown out-doors in a warm border in spring, or in pans, to be placed either in frames or outside. The old plants of perennial sorts may be cut down after flowering, when young growths will proceed from the base, and the whole may be lifted and carefully divided. Cuttings of the young shoots, taken in autumn or spring, will root freely if potted singly and placed in a cold-frame. They will flower the following season at the same time as the divisions.
Dendrobium.Orchideæ.
The methods of propagating these plants have already been mentioned. Where a rapid increase of a new or specialvariety is required, the pseudo-bulbs that are more than one year old should be cut into lengths, and fastened on orchid rafts, with a layer of sphagnum beneath them. Suspend them in a hot, moist house, if possible, over a water-tank. The advantage of this method is that the young plants do not need shifting after they commence rooting on their own account. The section to whichD. aggregatum,D. Jenkinsii,D. densiflorumandD. thyrsiflorumbelong, are best propagated by division. (See underOrchids.)
Dentaria(Toothwort).Cruciferæ.
Propagated by seeds or divisions.
Deodar.SeeCedrus.
Desfontainea.Loganiaceæ.
Cuttings, placed in a sandy loam, in a gentle heat.
Desmodium.Leguminosæ.
Increased by seeds, or by cuttings placed under a frame, in heat.
Deutzia.Saxifrageæ.
Commercially, the species are mostly propagated by green hardened cuttings in summer, under a frame. Hard-wooded cuttings may be taken in autumn, and be treated in about the same manner as currant cuttings (seepage 58). The deutzias are also propagated by divisions and layers. Some of the dwarf sorts are sometimes forced, to make cuttings for winter use.
Dewberry(Rubus Canadensisand vars., andRubus trivialis.)Rosaceæ.
Seeds are handled in the same manner as blackberry seeds. Increased by layers and, like the blackberry, by root-cuttings. Layers are made by simply covering the decumbent canes at the joints. This is the usual method of multiplication. The tips, too, root freely, as in the black-cap raspberries.
Dianella.Liliaceæ.
Increased by seeds, sown in gentle heat during spring. By divisions.
Dianthera.SeeJusticia.
Dianthus.SeeCarnation,PinkandSweet William.
Dicentra, Capnorchis, Diclytra (Bleeding Heart).Papaveraceæ.
The crowns may be divided in early spring, or cuttings may be made of the fleshy roots in short lengths, and placedin sand. The roots should be placed in a compost of sandy loam, in well-drained pots, as soon as the foliage dies off, and transferred to a cold-frame.
Dichorisandra.Commelinaceæ.
Propagated by seeds, divisions and cuttings.
Dichosma.SeeAgathosma.
Dicksonia.Filices.
Division mostly. SeeFerns.
Diclytra.SeeDicentra.
Dictamnus(Dittany, or Fraxinella).Rutaceæ.
Seeds should be sown as soon as ripe. Division is used.
Dictyosperma.SeeAreca.
Dicyrta.SeeAchimenes.
Didymocarpus.Gesneraceæ.
Cuttings, which are obtained from young shoots when commencing growth, and placed in sandy soil, in heat. Also by seeds.
Didymosperma.SeeAreca.
Dieffenbachia.SeeCaladium.
Diervilla, Weigela.Caprifoliaceæ.
Suckers. Cuttings may be made in spring, summer or autumn. Hardened green cuttings, handled under a frame in summer, are extensively used by nurserymen. (Seepage 58.) They are sometimes grown from cuttings in winter from forced plants. Hard-wood cuttings, made in winter and planted in spring like the grape, succeed well.
Digitalis(Foxglove).Scrophularineæ.
Seeds, sown in spring, either in-doors or in the open. The common foxglove (D. purpurea) often self-sows itself.
Dill(Arethum graveolens).Umbelliferæ.
Seeds, in early spring.
Dillenia, including Colbertia.Dilleniaceæ.
Seeds, which, however, are grown with much difficulty. Cuttings of half-ripened wood may be placed in sand, under a frame, in bottom heat.
Dimorphotheca.Compositæ.
The seeds of the annual sorts should be sown in heat in spring. The perennials are grown from green cuttings.
Dionæa.Droseraceæ.
Propagated sometimes by seed; usually by dividing the plants.
Dion, Platyzamia.Cycadaceæ.
Propagated by seed.
Dioscorea(Yam).Dioscoreaceæ.
The tubers may be divided in autumn or spring, when not growing. Seeds are sometimes used, so are the tubers which form in the axils by the leaves. Stove species can be propagated by cuttings of the half-ripened wood.
Diosma.Rutaceæ.
Cuttings in sandy peat, and under a frame placed in very gentle heat, will soon root.
Diospyros(Date Plum, Persimmon).Ebenaceæ.
Seeds are used for the hardy species. Also by cuttings of half-ripened shoots. Those requiring stove heat strike best from ripened shoots, placed in sand in a brisk bottom heat during spring. See alsoPersimmon.
Dipcadi, Uropetalum.Liliaceæ.
Increased by offsets in spring.
Diplacus.SeeMimulus.
Dipladenia.Apocynaceæ.
In spring, when the plants commence new growth, cuttings from the young shoots are made. These, or single eyes, should be placed in a mixture of sand and peat, in good bottom heat.
Diplazium.SeeFerns.
Diplothemium.Palmæ.
Propagation is affected by seeds.
Dipteracanthus.SeeRuellia.
Dirca.Thymelæaceæ.
Increased by seeds or layers.
Disa.Orchideæ.
D. grandifloraand others of similar habit are propagated by offsets. These are best taken off about December, and treated like the old plants. (See underOrchids.)
Disocactus.SeePhyllocactus.
Disporum, including Prosartes.Liliaceæ.
Seeds may be used; or the plant may be divided in spring before active growth commences.
Dodecatheon, Meadia (American Cowslip).Primulaceæ.
Seeds. The crowns may be divided either in spring or autumn. Cuttings of the whole root can be effectively used, the root being torn off the crown, planted upright, and of course covered with the sandy soil commonly used in this form of propagation.
Dog’s Bane.SeeApocynum
Dog’s-tooth Violet.SeeErythronium.
Dogwood.SeeCornus.
Dolichos.Leguminosæ.
By seeds. Sometimes cuttage or layerage is resorted to.
Dorcoceras.SeeBæa.
Doronicum, including Aronicum (Leopard’s Bane).Compositæ.
Propagated by seeds and divisions.
Dorstenia.Urticaceæ.
Seeds may be sown in a hot-bed in early spring. Before active growth commences the plants may be divided.
Doryanthes.Amaryllideæ.
Propagated by suckers placed in small pots.
Dorycnium, including Boujeania.Leguminosæ.
Increased by seeds.
Downingia, Clintonia.Campanulaceæ.
Seeds should be sown in mild heat in spring.
Draba, including Petrocallis (Whitlow Grass).Cruciferæ.
The annuals or biennials propagated by seeds sown in spring in the open border. The perennials may be propagated by dividing the crowns.
Dracæna(Dragon-tree).Liliaceæ.
Rarely grown from seed. Layers do not succeed very well. The stems of old plants may be cut up in pieces one or two inches long, and placed at any season in cocoanut fiber or light soil, in the bottom heat of a propagating house. The tops of the plants will also strike as cuttings, and the fleshy base of the stem is sometimes removed and used for propagation. Root-cuttings do well in a moderate heat. (SeeFig. 47.)
Dracocephalum(Dragon’s Head).Labiatæ.
The annuals are grown from seeds, sown in the open in spring. Perennials are increased by dividing the roots, or by cuttings of the young shoots in spring.
Dracontium.SeeAmorphophallus.
Dragon’s Head.SeeDracocephalum.
Dragon-tree.SeeDracæna.
Drimys, Wintera.Magnoliaceæ.
Cuttings made of half-ripened shoots should be inserted in a frame.
Drosera(Sundew).Droseraceæ.
Seeds, sown as soon as possible after gathering.D. binatais increased by cutting roots from strong plants into pieces of one-half or one inch in length, and placing them on the surface of shallow earthenware pans, in sandy peat soil, and covering about one-half inch deep with the same material. They are then placed under a bell-glass, and transferred to a damp, warm propagating house.
Drosophyllum.Droseraceæ.
Propagated by seed.
Dutchman’s Pipe.SeeAristolochia.
Duvaua.Anacardiaceæ.
Insert cuttings made of the ripe wood under glass, in gentle heat.
Dyckia.Bromeliaceæ.
Propagated by seeds, suckers and divisions.
Eccremocarpus(Calampelis).Bignoniaceæ.
Seeds, sown in spring, in a gentle heat. Cuttings may be used, of green or ripe wood.
Echeveria.SeeCotyledon.
Echinacea.Compositæ.
Readily propagated by seeds and division.
Echinocactus.SeeCactus.
Echinops, Echinanthus (Globe Thistle).Compositæ.
Sow the seeds in spring for the propagation of the biennials, and divide the perennials early. Also by root-cuttings.
Echium(Viper’s Bugloss).Boragineæ.
The herbaceous species are raised from seeds. Also increased by divisions. The shrubby sorts are increased more readily by layers, but also by cuttings, placed in sandy soil under glass.
Edelweiss.SeeLeontopodium.
Edgeworthia.Thymelæaceæ.
Cuttings should be inserted in sandy soil, under glass in spring.
Edwandria.Leguminosæ.
By seeds or cuttings of the young wood.
Egg-Plant(Solanum Melongena).Solanaceæ.
Seeds in heat, in late winter or spring. Cuttings rarely.
Eglantine.SeeRosa.
Ehretia.Boragineæ.
Place cuttings in sandy soil under glass in bottom heat, in spring.
Eichhornia.Pontederiaceæ.
Propagation is effected by division in spring; seeds.
Elæagnus(Oleaster, Wild Olive, Goumi).Elæagnaceæ.
Increased by seeds, layers or cuttings. The named varieties are often grafted on the most vigorous varieties obtainable. Imported seeds of some species are apt to be empty.E. longipescan readily be propagated by cuttings of the half-ripened wood in June and July, under glass.
Elæis(Oil Palm).Palmæ.
Seeds are used for propagation.
Elæocarpus, including Monocera.Tiliaceæ.
Seeds may be sown in a hot-bed. Make cuttings of ripened shoots, with leaves on, and place them in sandy soil, in bottom heat.
Elder.SeeSambucus.
Elecampane(Inula Helenium).Compositæ.
Propagated by seeds in open air in early spring.
Elliottia.Ericaceæ.
Insert soft wood cuttings in sand under glass.
Elm.SeeUlmus.
Elodea.SeeHypericum.
Empetrum(Crowberry or Crakeberry).Empetraceæ.
Seeds. In summer, cuttings may be made, and should be placed in sandy soil under glass.
Encephalartos.Cycadaceæ.
Increased by seeds.
Endive(Cichorium Endivia).Compositæ.
Seeds, either in the open where the plants are to stand, or under glass.
Enkianthus.Ericaceæ.
Cuttings made of the ripe wood should be placed under glass during the spring months, without heat.
Entelea.Tiliaceæ.
Propagated by cuttings, in sandy soil.
Eomecon.Papaveraceæ.
Seeds; also by division.
Epacris.Epacrideæ.
Grown from tip cuttings in a frame in winter, with bottom heat. The cuttings root very slowly.
Ephedra.Gnetaceæ.
Layers may be made from young shoots or branches.
Epidendrum.Orchideæ.
The tall-stemmed section of this genus is increased by cuttings, the section with short, thick pseudo-bulbs by division. The former also occasionally produce viviparous flower-scapes, thus affording a ready means of increase. (See underOrchids.)
Epigæa.Ericaceæ.
Increased with great difficulty by careful divisions of established plants, and by layers. Seeds, when obtainable, can be used, but are slow to develop.
Epilobium(Willow-herb).Onagrarieæ.
Propagated by seeds, divisions or root-cuttings.
Epimedium(Barrenwort).Berberideæ.
Sometimes increased by seeds. During July or August, divisions of the roots can be made.
Epiphyllum.Cacteæ.
Readily grown from cuttings. Pieces of the branches four to six inches long are placed in sandy soil in gentle heat, and kept moderately dry. Epiphyllums are often grafted on strong stocks of pereskia (Pereskia aculeatais commonly used, butP. Bleois equally as good), for the purpose of getting high or rafter plants. A young shoot is cleft-grafted into any portion of the pereskia which has become hard, and the cion is held in place by a cactus spine passed through it. Several cions may be inserted along the sides of the stock.
Eranthemum.Acanthaceæ.
Seeds. Cuttings root readily in spring in peaty soil, in a close frame where there is a bottom heat of about 70°.
Eranthis(Winter Aconite).Ranunculaceæ.
Increased by seeds and division.
Eremostachys.Labiatæ.
May be increased by seeds or division.
Eremurus.Liliaceæ.
Increased by seeds and divisions.
Erica(Heath).Ericaceæ.
Will grow from seeds, but these are used generally to secure new varieties. Commonly propagated by very short cuttings, taken from the tips, or made of the lower young growth. Carefully remove the leaves from the lower parts of the cutting, which should be about one inch long, and then insert rather closely in pots, which should be filled two-thirds with crocks, the remainder being fine sandy peat with a layer of clean, compact sand on the surface. Cover with glass. Water well, and place in a temperature of about 60°.
Erigeron, including Phalacroloma, Polyactidium.Compositæ.
Readily increased by seeds or divisions.
Erinus.Scrophularineæ.
Seeds and divisions. After becoming established, they propagate themselves by seed.
Eriobotrya.SeePhotinia.
Eriodendron.Malvaceæ.
Raised from seeds sown in sandy soil, in heat.
Eriogonum.Polygonaceæ.
May be increased by seed or division.
Eriosema.Leguminosæ.
Propagated by seeds or cuttings.
Eriostemon.Rutaceæ.
Cuttings, in sandy peat in spring, under glass, and with gentle heat. Nurserymen propagate by grafting on small stocks of correa.
Erodium(Heron’s Bill).Geraniaceæ.
Propagation is effected by seeds or divisions.
Erpetion(Australian Violet).Violarieæ.
Propagated by seeds; also by division and cuttings.
Eryngium(Eryngo).Umbelliferæ.
Seeds or carefully made divisions may be used for increasing the species.
Erysimum(Hedge Mustard).Cruciferæ.
Increased by seeds; the perennials by seeds and divisions.
Erythræa, Gyrandra, Hippocentaurea (Centaury).Gentianeæ.
Propagated by seeds or divisions.
Erythrina(Coral-tree).Leguminosæ.
Seeds. Young shoots can be taken in spring or early summer with a heel, and placed in sandy soil, on a slight bottom heat.
Erythronium(Dog’s-tooth Violet).Liliaceæ.
Seeds. Offsets or bulbels are usually employed, taken as soon as the leaves dry away after flowering, inserting the bulbels about three inches deep.
Erythroxylon, including Sethia.Lineæ.
Place cuttings of half-ripened shoots in sand under a glass, in heat.
Escallonia.Saxifrageæ.
Suckers, layers. Cuttings of half-ripened wood strike in sand, when covered with glass. Also by seeds.
Escheria.SeeGloxinia.
Eschscholtzia, Chryseis (California Poppy).Papaveraceæ.
Seeds may be sown in spring or autumn where the plants are to flower.
Eucalyptus(Gum-tree).Myrtaceæ.
Increased by seeds, which should be sown thinly in pans or pots of light, sandy soil, and placed in frames. Also by cuttings.
Eucharis.Amaryllideæ.
Seeds may be sown as soon as ripe in a warm house. Offsets or bulbels should be removed and potted off singly.
Eucomis.Liliaceæ.
Increased by seeds, sown as soon as ripe, or by bulbels.
Eucryphia.Rosaceæ.
The cuttings of young shoots are planted in sand under glass.
Eugenia.SeeMyrtus.
Eulalia.Gramineæ.
Freely increased by seed or division.
Euonymus(Burning-bush, Strawberry-tree, Wahoo).Celastrineæ.
Grown from seeds, cuttings and layers. Cuttings usually make better plants than layers. The deciduous species are usually grown from hard-wood cuttings, but the evergreen kinds are started under glass, from cuttings of the growing or ripened wood. The small and weak kinds are grafted on the stronger ones. The evergreen species will grow upon the deciduous kinds.
Eupatorium.Compositæ.
Cuttings of the growing wood, under glass in early spring, is the common method of propagation. Seeds can also be used for some species.
Euphorbia, including Poinsettia (Spurge).Euphorbiaceæ.
By seeds, especially the annual species. The perennial shrubby sorts are increased by cuttings in a strong heat. Some species are propagated by divisions.
Eurya.Ternstrœmiaceæ.
Propagated by soft cuttings, inserted in sand under a glass in heat.
Eurycles.Amaryllideæ.
Offsets or bulbels, in spring.
Eurybia.SeeOlearia.
Eustylis.SeeNemastylis.
Euterpe.Palmæ.
Seeds in heat.
Eutoca.SeePhacelia.
Evening Primrose.See Œnothera.
Exacum.Gentianeæ.
Seeds should be sown in spring, in bottom heat.
Exochorda.Rosaceæ.
Grown from seeds, layers, cuttings and suckers. Seeds are difficult to procure. Layering in June is a common practice. Various kinds of cuttings are employed, but the best results follow short, soft cuttings, taken from forced plants and set deep in shallow flats of sand. They require a very strong bottom heat, a close frame, and the water should be applied in a spray upon the foliage. Cuttings are sometimes grafted upon pieces of roots. It is regarded as a difficult plant to propagate.
Fabiana.Solanaceæ.
Readily increased by seeds and cuttings.
Fagus(Beech).Cupuliferæ.
Commonly grown from the nuts, which should be stratified and sown very early in spring. They may be sown immediately after they are gathered, if they can be protected from vermin. The named varieties are grafted upon the European or American species.
Fair Maids of France.SeeRanunculus.
Fan-Palm.SeeLivistona.
Farfugium.SeeSenecio.
Fedia.SeePatrinia.
Felicia.Compositæ.
Propagated by seeds, or by cuttings inserted in sandy soil, under a glass.
Fennel(Fœniculum, various species).Umbelliferæ.
Seeds, usually in spring.
Fennel Flower.SeeNigella.
Fenugreek(Trigonella Fœnum-Græcum).Leguminosæ.
Propagated by seeds.
Fenzlia.SeeGilia.
Ferns.Filices.
Where division is possible, it is the easiest and most economical method of propagation, and should be practiced just before the plant starts into growth. The spores can be sown in February and March, or earlier, under glass in a warm propagating pit. Partly fill a suitable sized pot or pan with coarse peat, giving plenty of drainage; make the surface level, and on this place three-quarter inch cubes of well-seasoned peat which is rather dry, watering the whole and scattering on the spores evenly. Cover with a pane of glass, and place in a partial shade. While the process which corresponds to germination is going on, great care must be given to the water supply. This is sometimes done by placing the pots or pans in a saucer, from which they can suck the water up. Overhead watering may be used, and often is, but will sometimes introduce worms and the like.
The young plants should be pricked out when the true leaf appears, and they are large enough to handle. The same careful treatment should be continued until they are established in pots.
There is not much difficulty in getting the young plants, if fresh spores are obtainable, but there is a good deal of trouble in handling the seedlings, and establishing them in their growing quarters.
Most ferns are readily propagated by means of spores, as directed above and onpage 24. Some species rarely produce spores in cultivation, however, and in other cases, as in some tree ferns, it is almost impossible to rear the young plants after the spores have germinated. In all such cases, recourse must be had to separation, division or layerage. There are some species, asAsplenium bulbiferum,Cystopteris bulbiferaand others, which bear small bulblets or detachable buds on their fronds. These buds often vegetate while still attached to the frond. They may be removed either before or after showing signs of vegetation, and set in pots in a close propagating frame, or under a bell-glass. Ferns which make broad crowns may be divided, and this is the common mode with many species. Some species produce creeping root-stocks, which emit roots if pegged down into a pot of soil or on a block of peat. Several plants can often be produced from such a layer. All these operations are best performed in late winter, before the new growth begins. The tree ferns are rarely propagated to any extent in cultivation, but young plants are imported from their native countries.
Fern, Sweet.SeeComptonia.
Ferraria, Tigridia.Irideæ.
Propagated by means of seeds and bulbels.
Feverfew.SeeChrysanthemum.
Ficus.Urticaceæ.
The greenhouse species are propagated by layers and cuttings. The cuttings are handled in a close frame, and a leaf or two is usually left on them. ForFicus Carica, see Fig. Propagation by seeds is sometimes used in the edible figs, but is not easy with the ornamental sorts.F. elastica,F. Indica, etc., are increased by cuttings, planted in sand or sandy soil, and placed in good bottom heat, in a frame under glass. The large cuttings should be staked, and care must be taken to remove the milky juice before planting. Any winter month is good, before growth begins. Last season’s wood should be used.
Fig(Ficus Carica).Urticaceæ.
Figs grow readily from the plump seeds in the commercial fruit. Wash out the seeds, and those that sink may be sown in a frame. The young plants will appear in three or four weeks. In from three to five years the plants will begin to bear. New varieties are obtained in this way.
Varieties of the fig are multiplied with ease by layers, suckers and cuttings. Make cuttings of mature wood in autumn, cutting just below a bud. Scarce varieties may be multiplied by single eye cuttings. Fig cuttings are handled in the same way as grape cuttings. Some prefer, however, to place the cuttings where the tree is to stand. A well-grown plant will bear at two or three years of age.
The fig is readily budded and grafted, but these methods are seldom employed, because the plant is so easily multiplied by cuttings. Shield, ring or tubular buddings are employed. Various methods of grafting are adapted to it, and cleft-grafting is usually employed on old plants.
Filbert.. SeeCorylus.
Fir.SeeAbies,PinusandPicea.
Fire-pink.SeeSilene.
Fittonia.Acanthaceæ.
Increased by division, and by cuttings of half-ripened shoots, planted in sandy loam, in bottom heat.
Fitzroya.Coniferæ.
Seeds. Increased also by cuttings of half-ripened shoots
Flax.SeeLinum.
Flower-de-Luce(Fleur-de-Lis). SeeIris.
Fontanesia.Oleaceæ.
Layers are used; also cuttings, planted under a hand-glass in autumn. Or it may be grafted on the privet.
Forget-me-not.SeeMyosotis.