AN ENCYCLOPADIA 
OF HORTICULTURE. 91 
Phalenopsis— continued. 
racemose, shortly pedicellate; sepals and petals flatly 
spreading, the latter much larger and wider than the 
former; lip three-lobed, free, continuous with the 
prolonged base of the column, and furnished with a 
callosity at its base; column semi-terete, thickened up- 
wards; anther two-celled, containing two pollen masses, 
attached by a strap-shaped caudicle to a cordate gland; 
peduncles lateral, simple or branched. Leaves few, broad, 
thick, leathery, two-ranked, notched at the top. Some of 
the plants described below as species are probably natural 
hybrids. 
The species of Phalenopsis rank among the most 
beautiful of the numerous Orchids in cultivation. One 
or another of the representatives of the genus may be 
seen in flower nearly the whole year round. ‘The plants 
require careful treatment, and the heat of a house devoted 
to East Indian Orchids. In nurseries and a few private 
gardens, where a large collection or quantity of these 
plants are grown, it is customary to devote structures 
specially to them; this is most satisfactory, where prac- 
ticable, as the proper treatment can be more readily 
given than would be the case if other plants were inter- 
mixed. Where, however, there is not an orchid- 
house in existence, a few specimens of Phalenopsis 
may, with extra attention, be successfully cultivated 
in an ordinary stove. It is important to remember that 
the plants are natives of hot countries, where they are 
deluged with water in the rainy season. They are found 
growing on rocks, and on branches of trees, in damp 
places. Not having any pseudo-bulbs in which nutri- 
ment and moisture may be stored, and 
the evaporating leaf surface being some- 
what great, it is essential that, in the 
growing season, plenty of water must 
be given, and sufficient moisture pro- 
vided at all times, according to weather, 
to prevent the plants suffering for want 
of it. The growing season is from March 
until October, inclusive. During this in- 
terval, the minimum day temperature 
should be from 70deg. to 75deg., allowing 
a rise to 80deg. or more with sun heat; 
the night temperature being about 65deg. 
In winter, 60deg. to 65deg. should be 
taken as a minimum. Established plants 
of Phalænopsids require plenty of light, 
but they must not be exposed to the 
summer's sun. If this is allowed, the 
foliage is liable to become scorched and 
disfigured, and injury to the plant will 
also ensue. A thin, movable shading, © 
that can easily be applied or removed, 
should be provided. It is most usual 
to suspend the plants from the roof; 
but they should not be hung too near, on account of 
their liability to injury from cold. If grown in pots 
or cylinder baskets, they should be arranged on a bed 
or stage near the glass. 
nopsids may, under judicious treatment, be suc- 
cessfully grown in pots, in baskets, or on blocks. Drainage 
is of the utmost importance: epiphytal Orchids are 
quite unable to withstand anything approaching stagnant 
moisture. Clean potsherds, broken about kin. square, 
should be used in pots or baskets, so as to fill nearly 
up to the rim; or a small, inverted pot may be 
Placed inside for assisting in the drainage. Good sphag- 
num, with a few pieces of fibrous peat and nodules of 
charcoal, should be placed in sufficient quantity above 
the drainage to allow the plant to rest on it at a 
height, in the centre, of 3in. above the rim or edge. 
hig surface should be covered, ~~ 8 is re 
position, with living sphagnum. Careful shading an 
i 2 be. smithii for some time afterwards. 
Phalænopsis—continued. f 
The shallow pots or pans specially made for Orchids 
are well adapted for species of Phalænopsis. They can 
be readily suspended or taken down, and always 
present a neat appearance when in use. If grown 
on blocks, a little peat and sphagnum should be placed 
beneath the plant, which should then be surround 
with sphagnum, and fixed in position with a small 
piece of wire. An important point in management is 
that of ventilation. Air should be admitted in summer 
whenever it may be done with safety; but the venti- 
lators should be placed near the pipes, so that the air 
may become warmed before reaching the plants. Damp- 
ing of the stage and floor, on bright days, should be per- 
formed chiefly in the morning, so that it may become 
nearly dried up by night; and drip must be carefully 
guarded against. To keep the foliage clean, and remove 
‘Thrips, which are often troublesome, the leaves should 
be carefully sponged occasionally with clean, tepid water. 
Should fumigating b a ity, it must be con- 
ducted with very great care. 
Propagation is very difficult, as the plants seldom 
afford an opportunity for division. P. Luddemanniana 
is more easily increased than any of the others; it pro- 
duces young plants upon the flower stems. Occasionally, 
some of the other species will also similarly multiply; 
and P. Stuartiana sometimes produces young plants 
upon its roots. When this takes place, these young 
plants should be left until they form roots of their 
own, when they may be placed separately on small 
blocks. : 
FIG. 102. PHALANOPSIS AMABILIS. S 
amabilis (lovely).* AH. varying considerably in, size, some- 
ihr — din in god i a — pas ig bright 
and rounded, of great su 2 . — — 
yellow cS 5 panicle usuall * — 
. L light green. Java, 1847. A remarkabl ; dsome 
pot gg eg FE to P. Aphrodite, and distinguished 5 
he larger flowers, colour of the lip, and in the 
Hanter ros shade of the leaves. See Fig. ne gfe oh 
— n and richer than ‘usual. 
ing o e li 
3 paras st).* f comparatively wien 3 
and Mg — i mn ry — ge 8 y 
i et. su 2 
8 ee peduncle ‘simple or branched, 4in. to n. 
long, slender at the base, thicker towards the apex; 
5184, 
the 
of th 
front 
