190 orchid-grower's manual. 



glass, where it continues in bloom for several weeks at a time. 

 This is a difficult plant to grow, for we seldom see it doing 

 well. I often find it flower itself to death. 



L^LIA. 



This is a most lovely genus of plants, most of the species 

 being compact in their growth, with evergreen foliage, resem- 

 bling in many respects the genus Cattleya, to which some of 

 them are equal in the beauty of their flowers. They produce 

 their blossoms, which are large, distinct in colour, and very 

 handsome, on spikes of varied length, from the top of their 

 pseudobulbs. These plants merit a place in every collection, 

 and will amply repay the cultivator for any care they may 

 require ; indeed, the Lcelias are among our finest Orchids, 

 whether for winter or summer blooming. 



Some of the species are best gi'own on blocks of wood with 

 moss ; others thi'ive well in pots with peat and good drainage. 

 The large -gi-owing kinds are best grown in pots, and require 

 the same treatment as Cattleym. Those on blocks require 

 more water, and are best gi'own in the Cattleya house, except 

 some which do not require so much heat to grow them to 

 perfection. They ar« propagated in the same way as Cattleyas. 



L. acuminata. — A pretty, delicate-flowered, and compact- 

 growing plant from Mexico. The sepals and petals are white ; 

 the lip white, with a dark blotch on the upper part. It blooms 

 in December and January, and lasts two or three weeks in 

 beauty. 



L, alhida. — A lovely compact-gi'owing species from Oaxaca. 

 The sepals and petals are white ; the lip pink, with stripes of 

 yellow down the centre. It blossoms in December and January, 

 lasting a good time in beauty. There are two varieties of 

 this plant. The best is called superha. In the latter, the 

 flowers are much larger than in the ordinary form of L. alhida. 



