VANDA. 303 



requires but little rest ; for having no fleshy bulbs to support 

 it, a certain degree of moisture is necessary at the roots, even 

 when it is comparatively at rest. After growth is completed 

 it will begin to show flower, and then care should be taken 

 that it does not get dry at the root, for it requires a good 

 quantity of nourishment to bring its flowers to perfection. 

 I have seen this plant shrivelled when the blossoms have 

 been showing, and from this cause they have been nearly 

 spoiled and the plant injured. If this plant is allowed to 

 get into an unhealthy state it is a long time before it recovers ; 

 it blooms during the summer months, and lasts some time in 

 beauty. Propagation is effected by dividing the plant when 

 done growing, or just as it begins to push. The finest plant 

 I ever saw of this was grown by Mr. Mitchell, gardener to 

 E. F. Ainsworth, Esq., M.D., of Manchester, in whose fine 

 collection it has frequently flowered. 



Yanda. 



This genus contains several lovely species with magnifi- 

 cently-coloured flowers, some of which are very large. 

 Indeed, there are not many Orchidaceous plants that surpass 

 Vandas in the beauty of their foliage and flowers. Their 

 habit of growth is the same as that of Aerides and Saccola- 

 Hum. Their foliage is evergreen, but the leaves of most of 

 the species are longer and more graceful. The spikes are 

 erect and produced from the axils of the leaves, whilst the 

 majority bear large waxy flowers. They require the same 

 treatment and become infested with the same sort of insects 

 as Aeridea, except that they require but Httle shade — the less 

 they have, the better they will flower. They will flower two 

 or three times during the year treated in this way. What is 

 more beautiful than a house with a few flowering Vandas in 

 it, perfuming the atmosphere with their delicious fragrance ? 



