278 ORCHID- grower's manual. 



immediately precede the young growths, so that whenever 

 the flowers are seen to be pushing up from the base of the 

 pseudobulbs water should be given in moderate quantities. 

 They are frequently called Indian Crocuses, throwing up their 

 flowers, as they do in spring, much like our common crocus, 

 differing, however, considerably in shape, but like them very- 

 handsome and rich in colour. The Pleiones are far too little 

 cared for by Orchid growers, many objecting to them on 

 account of the leaves being absent at the time of flowering; 

 but this is easily remedied by grouping them with Ferns, or 

 other gi'aceful green-leaved plants. They give little trouble 

 if properly managed, but their wants must be supplied at the 

 right time, which is the great secret in the treatment of 

 most deciduous plants. Through being deciduous, they get 

 neglected, and just at the time when they should receive most 

 attention, and their beauties should be seen, they are found 

 shrivelled. They require a good season of growth, and after 

 that, one of rest. The way in which I treat them, is to pot 

 them in a mixture of loam, peat, moss, and sand, giving them 

 good drainage and plenty of water while growing ; this opera- 

 tion — the potting — should be performed immediately the 

 flowers fade. After the pseudobulbs are fully formed, give 

 just enough water to keep them from shrivelling ; but, as 

 before stated, when they begin to show flower, water freely, 

 which will induce their blossoms to come finer. The Cattleya 

 house is the most suitable place for them. 



P. humilis. — A splendid dwarf-growing species from India, 

 with dark green ovate pseudobulbs, in the way of those of 

 P. Wallichiana, and with flowers three inches in diameter ; 

 sepals and petals bright rose ; hp white, spotted with crimson 

 and striped with brown ; it lasts in beauty two or three 

 weeks. 



P. lafjenaria. — A fine dwarf species, also from India, in the 



