Calla Lily

The only plant of this genus, worthy of cultivation, is the well-known Calla Lily (Richardia AEtiopia). It is too familiar to our readers to need description. To bloom the plants well, they should have a season of rest, which may be regulated so as to have bloom at any season, if we have several plants. They naturally rest after the blooming season.

When they again begin to grow, re-pot them; if a plant with a single stem is required, remove all suckers, otherwise they will do no harm to remain; but the plant requiring frequent re-pottings, will soon become so large as to be unmanageable. The foliage is peculiarly fine, and the plant is worth growing for this alone.

If bloom is particularly desired, the best way is to plant some six or eight roots in the half of an oil cask. Paint it green, and put on two iron handles; you thus have a very cheap, pretty, serviceable, and durable tub. Fill this with the richest loam, and set the plants, the largest in the middle, the smaller around the sides, and set the tub on the piazza or in a grass plat. The plants will bloom during the summer very freely, and may be wintered in a light cellar without difficulty.

The proper soil is richest loam and peat well mixed. When growing, you cannot give the plants too much water. In the window, if the plants are set in a saucer kept constantly filled with water, they will be the better for it. In summer, the plant will grow well, and flower profusely out of doors in a tank.

Cuphea

The only plant of this family, desirable for a window plant, is the little Mexican C, ignea or platycentra. This is a sparkling little gem of a plant, always in bloom and a great backdrop for a bird bath. Plant it in the flower border in summer, re-pot in autumn, and all winter it will gladden you by a profusion of its bright scarlet tubes tipped with a ring of black and white.

The plant never grows above a foot in height, and is just suited for the window. For soil, use about three parts loam, one each of sand and manure. Water freely, but do not allow the soil to become sodden.

Cactus

There are seven families of Cacti, containing each a great number of species. Those chiefly grown as parlor plants come under the families Cereus and Epiphyllum. The former family is a native of all dry, tropical regions of the western continent. The soil most suitable is, two parts peat, one part broken potsherds, broken coarse, one part loam or old mortar rubbish, and one part manure; mix these well together and secure good drainage.

During the summer, the plants should stand out of doors in a sheltered place, from the time they have done flowering until September. Then remove them to the house and all parts of shoots haying no bloom buds (they are easily seen along the leaves) should be cut back to just beyond the buds. The plants should be confined to six or eight strong stem; while these are in good health, the growth of shoots from the roots is not to be encouraged.

Give the plants no water from September until February; while in growth, water moderately. They bloom from May to August. Some of the varieties are:

C. Speciosissimus: Crimson and purple flowers.
C. Flagelliformis: Rose flowers. This variety should be allowed to droop, and not be pruned.
C. Grandiflorus: the night-blooming Cereus; flowers yellowish white. This variety will not bloom until it is old.
C. Maynardi:Deep orange red flowers.
C. Triangularis: Cream color; immense flower.

All varieties will do well as window plants. The first is the best for general culture.