Blue Lobelias

There are still plenty of people left in the world who use blue Lobelias for borders in the flower garden, although the "ribbon border," of which it formed a part, no longer enjoys its former favour. Those who have old Lobelia plants in autumn generally pot them, put them on a shelf in the greenhouse, and make the young shoots into cuttings when they start growing in late winter. Others who have no "stock" plants may sow seed now, and they will then get strong flowering plants by June.

Fig. 5. - Cuttings from Stock Plants of Blue Lobelia.

a. Old plant in pot.

b. A good cutting prepared by removing the two lowest leaves (see dark lines).

c. An unsuitable cutting, bearing flowers.

The charming dwarf Lobelia Kathleen Mallard, deep blue in colour, and double.

Bulbs In Pots

The common and good plan of plunging pots of bulbs in coarse cocoa-nut fibre refuse or ashes in autumn has one drawback with amateurs. It is often a case of "out of sight, out of mind." The plants are forgotten, and they push growth into the fibre - growth which is weak and blanched. Bulbs potted in November should be examined in December and January, and removed from the fibre when they have made an inch of growth.