GREVILLEA ROBUSTA

Australian Oak. Greenhouse shrub



In its native country, New South Wales, this is a stately tree. Here it

is grown as a pot plant, and the finely cut, drooping, fern-like foliage

produces one of the most graceful decorative subjects we possess. Its

value is enhanced by the fact that it withstands the baneful influences

of gas, dust, and changes of temperature better than the majority of

table plants.



Seedlings are easily raised by those who can exercise patience; and

afterwards the simplest cool culture will suffice to grow handsome

specimens. But we do not know any seed--not even the Auricula--which

takes more time and is so capricious in germinating. In all cases where

seed is sown in fairly rich soil, which has to be kept constantly moist

and undisturbed for a long period, there is a tendency to sourness,

especially on the surface. Free drainage will do something towards

preventing this. Another aid in the same direction is to cover the seed

with a layer of sand, and the sand with a thin coating of ordinary

potting soil. When the surface becomes covered with moss, the coating of

soil can be gently removed down to the sand, and be replaced with fresh

earth, without detriment to the seeds.



Sow at any time of the year, in 48-sized pots filled with rather firm

soil; and as the seedlings straggle through and show two pairs of

leaves, pot them off singly, and give the shelter of a close pit or

frame until they become established. They must not be allowed to suffer

for lack of water, but there is no necessity to give them manure water

at any stage of growth. An occasional re-potting is the only other

attention they will require until they reach the final size, and the

pots need not then be large.