1878.] 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



231 



difference is found in the manner of growth, and 

 time of blooming, of the Mexican and Brazilian 

 «pecies. The Mexican species do not require as 

 much heat as the Brazilian ; bloom mostly in 

 the Winter or early Spring, and have longer 

 flower stems. The Brazilian species are 

 stronger in growth and bloom mostly in the 

 Summer or Autumn, and can be cultivated as 

 the Cattlej'as. The Mexican species, I grow 

 Tjoth in pots, or on blocks of wood, or cocoanut 

 husks, and find they do well either way, though 

 the plants on blocks require more attention dur- 

 ing the season of growth. I grow all Cattleyas 

 and Liielias in the same house, giving the Mex- 

 ican species the coolest place. They all want 

 plent)'^ of light, especially when they are mak- 

 ang their growth, and maturing their bulbs. If 

 they are grown in too much shade, the growth 

 Tvill be watery, and very little success will be 

 obtained in flowering them. These remarks are 

 ^applicable icy all orchids, that form bulbs. 



When I flrst commenced the culture of orchids, 

 though I made large growth, I was always dis- 

 appointed in not getting bloom. A fact, that on 

 Imported orchids, very small bulbs showed 

 signs that they had bloomed, led me to think 

 there was a radical error in my management. I 

 now give them all the light they will bear, even 

 if the glass runs up to 90° or 95°. While I know 

 that the direct rays of the sun does them no 

 Tiarm in their native habitats, I find that a lit- 

 tle shade is advantageous in midday — say from 

 '9 A. M., to 4 P. M. I have an awning on the 

 outside, made of bagging stuft', which is open in 

 its texture and gives a subdued light. I find 

 this better than whitewash or any permanent 

 cover. On cloudy days, or any time when the 

 thermometer does not get over 75°, I keep it up. 

 An awning G0xl4 ft. of this material will cost 

 about 88, and lasts two summers. The power 

 of tropical light, and the long enforced rest by 

 ■drought that plants are called upon to endure in 

 tropical countries, are factors that are not suf- 

 ficiently considered in our cultivation of plants 

 under glass. No doubt most persons who have 

 bought newly imported orchids, have noticed 

 their shriveled condition, and supposed it caused 

 "by their being so long gathered. The fact is, that 

 it is caused almost entirely by the protracted 

 ■droughts that they endure before they are gath- 

 ered. I was once in Brazil, nearly four months 

 at one time, and do not think we had four rains, 

 :and at no time was the thermometer below 05°, 

 and up to 90° or 95°. One can easily conceive 



what a parching it must be to plants growing on 

 trees, from 10 to 50 feet from the ground, when 

 every passing breeze takes away any little hu- 

 midity that may arise from the ground. 



MEXICAN L^LIA-S. 



Lcelia anceps. This is the finest of the Mexican 

 Lfslias. It has bulbs from four to six inches 

 long, (with one stiff leaf, sometimes, but rarely 

 two.) The flower stem is from two to three 

 feet long, with from three to five flowers three 

 to four inches diameter. Sepals and petals rosy 

 lilac, lip purple with yellow center; blooms in 

 Winter. Lcelia anceps delicaia, whitish sepals 

 and petals, and purple lip. There are many 

 varieties of L. anceps, differing slightly in size 

 and shade of color. 



ice/m rt/6z(/a, (Mexico), has small bulbs about 

 two inches long. Two short stift'leaves,and flower 

 stems from twelve to eighteen inches long. The 

 flowers from three to six in number, are white 

 with a yellow streak in the center of the lip ; 

 flowers two inches in diameter. There are sev- 

 eral varieties of this orchid. It and all the 

 Mexican Lselias are compact in growth, taking 

 up but little room which makes them very desir- 

 able, as the blooms last thirty days, if kept dry. 



Lcplia autumnalis. In growth, much like 

 L. albida, but stronger, sepals and petals lilac 

 purple, lip rose and white ; blooms in Novem- 

 ber and December; flowers about three inches in 

 diamater. 



Lcelia acuminata. Flatfish bulbs ; flowers 

 white with dark spot on the lip. There are some 

 varieties, with rosy blush flowers and are called 

 L. erubescens. 



Lcslia majalis. Has small bulbs, and makes 

 its bloom with the young growth, and the flowers 

 are verj'^ large for the size of the plant. It 

 makes seldom over one bloom to a bulb, which 

 is of a rose color, with a lighter lip. I have suc- 

 ceeded in blooming this Ltelia but once. It re- 

 quires the bulbs to be strong, and a good season 

 of rest. Does best on a block with moss. 



Lmlia superbiens. (xuatemala. This is a very 

 strong grower. The bulbs are often nearly a 

 foot long, and flower stems from four to 

 six feet long, surmounted by nearly a dozen 

 flowers from four to six inches in diameter ; 

 color, rose variegated; lip purplish crimson, 

 striped yellow. Requires to be strong to 

 bloom ; it is said to grow on exposed rocks. I 

 have not bloomed this yet, though my plant is 

 larger than others that I have seen in bloom. I 

 think it wants more light. 



