Five species. Stove herbaceous perennials. All are propagated by seed, but G. maculata is also increased by division; and the others by leaves taken off close to the stem. Loam, peat, and sand, with leaf mould.

Varieties

Many varieties have been raised by cross-impregnation, but for a private garden the following may be recommended: - G. coccineus; G. Youngii; G. Manglesii; G. rubra; G. Maxima; G. speciosa; and G. Candida.

Mr. J. Mcl., of Hillsborough, gives the following directions for the culture of these flowers: -

Propagation

The gloxinia is readily increased by seeds and cuttings; the seeds should be sown very thinly, as soon as they are gathered, in pans that are well drained, and filled with a mixture of fine peat and sand; the seeds should not be covered; they may afterwards be placed in a frame where the temperature is about 68°. When they have acquired one or two leaves, they should be potted off into small pots, and not dried off until the second year, as the small fibres are not sufficiently strong to cause them to grow vigorously in spring. This remark is also applicable to young plants raised from cuttings.

"Gloxinias are readily propagated even by a single leaf pressed firmly into the soil, which may be the same as is used for seeds.

Culture

The roots should be allowed to become quite dry during autumn, and continue so all the winter; they should not be allowed to become dry, however, all at once, but by degrees. While they are in this state the pots may be laid on their sides, on a dry shelf in the green-house until February or March, but February is the best time for starting them. In potting them, the earth should be carefully shaken from the bulbs, which should be repotted in a mixture of one-half decayed vegetable mould, and one-half good rich loam, with the addition of a little sand or charcoal.

"The pots should be well drained. In planting, press the roots gently on the surface of the soil, and give them no water for some time, as the moisture of the pot will be sufficient for them at first.

"After they are all potted, remove them to a frame where the temperature is about 60°, and when they have commenced growing, give them a little water, increasing the quantity as they advance in growth. A little air should be given them in fine weather.

"By the middle of May they will have attained a good size, and some of them will be showing flowers, when they may be removed to the greenhouse, when nothing except proper attention to watering them is required. When the plants have done flowering, water should be gradually withheld.

"It often happens, however, that some of the species continue in a growing state all the winter, for instance, G. caulescens, which is unlike any of the others in habit and manner of growth." - Gard. Chron.