294 ORCHID -gko^^r's manual.. 



SOPHEOKTTIS. 



A small genus of Orchids containing several very beautiful 

 species ; most of the known kinds are worth cultivating, on 

 account of their not taking up much room. They are small- 

 growing plants, and thrive best on blocks of wood, or in small 

 baskets, with a moderate supply of heat and moisture all the 

 3^ear. They are evergi'een, producing their flowers from the 

 top of the pseudobulbs, and are propagated by dividing the 

 plants just as they begin to grow. 



S. cerniia. — A close-growing and small-flowering species, 

 with small bunches of red flowers. It blooms during the 

 winter, lasting long in beauty. Native of Brazil. 



S. coccinea. — An exceedingly beautiful kind, which should 

 be either grown on a block with a little moss attached, or in a 

 small basket with moss and a little peat, and suspended from 

 the roof. The pseudobulbs are short, each bearing a single 

 oblong leaf, about three inches in length, and dark green in 

 colour ; the flowers are upwards of three inches in diameter, 

 of stout substance ; sepals and petals brilliant scarlet ; hp 

 yellow, with vermilion bars. It blooms during the winter 

 months. Native of Brazil. 



S. grandiflora. — A truly handsome species from the Organ 

 mountains. The flowers are large, and of a beautiful bright 

 scarlet colour, lasting six weeks or more in perfection. It 

 blooms in November and December. This plant ought to be 

 in every collection. Of this species there are two varieties ; 

 one produces short obtuse leaves, with exceedingly brilliant- 

 coloured flowers ; the other has longer leaves and bulbs. 



S. violacea. — A pretty distinct species, from the same 

 country as the former. The pseudobulbs are small, and 

 bear a single narrow dark green leaf. It produces its violet- 

 eoloured flowers in abundance during the winter months, and 

 lasts long in beauty. 



