98 ORCHID- grower's manual. 



Bletia. 



The species belonging to this genus are terrestrial ; 

 there are only a few that are worth growing. All are 

 of easy culture, and may be grown in the Mexican house 

 or cool frame where there is a little heat. The flowers 

 are produced very freely when they are thoroughly estab- 

 lished, and are very valuable for cutting for bouquets, on 

 account of their pleasing colour, and the long time they last 

 in water. The pseudobulbs are round and flattened, from 

 which proceed long narrow deciduous leaves. The best 

 material for growing them in is a mixture of loam and leaf 

 mould, with about two inches of drainage in the bottom of 

 the pot, covered with a layer of moss or rough peat ; the pots 

 should be filled with the mould to within an inch of the top, 

 the bulbs placed on the top of the mould, and just covered 

 over. They require a good supply of water in the growing 

 season, but not much heat. After their growth is finished, 

 give them a good season of rest ; and keep them rather dry 

 till they begin to grow. 



These plants requii'e to be well grown to make them flower 

 freely. The colour of the flowers is distinct from that of most 

 of our Orchids, and produces a good efi'ect in a house ; and 

 although they are not thought much of by many Orchid- 

 growers, they ai-e well worth the care that is bestowed upon 

 them, on account of their pleasing colours. 



B. campanulata. — The blossoms of this species are of a 

 deep purple, with a white centre ; flowers at difi'erent times of 

 the year, and lasts long in perfection. From Peru. 



B, hyacintJiina alho-striata. — Another of the many novelties 

 we have received from Japan, exactly similar in habit to B. 

 hyacinthinaf but with all the neiwes white, which makes a very 



