264 oechid-gbower's manual. 



soon as one decays another appears. They will grow either 

 in the East Indian or Mexican house, and thrive best in pots 

 of a large size, amongst rough fibrous peat, which suits them 

 best, and about three inches of drainage ; plenty of water at the 

 roots in the growing season is essential to their well-being, 

 afterwards much less will suffice. When these plants get too 

 large, they should be turned out of the pot, and divided into 

 several pieces, which will soon grow and make flowering 

 plants. The following are amongst the best of this genus, 

 which is far too much neglected by plant growers : — 



S. Lillastrum. — A distinct species from Guiana. The 

 flowers are white, and are produced in July and August; 

 they, however, last but a short time in beauty. There are 

 two varieties of this, one much better than the other. 



S. macrantha. — A remarkably handsome Orchid fi.x)m 

 Guatemala ; the finest of the genus. The flowers are 

 large, six inches across, of a beautiful rich purple and 

 crimson. It blooms during the summer months, and each 

 flower lasts three days in perfection. This makes a fine 

 plant for exhibition. 



S. macrantha splendena. — A charming variety from Guate- 

 mala ; flowering from June to August. It has darker flowers 

 than those of S. macrantha, but they are not so large. There 

 is a variety called ** WooUey's," which is very dwarf in habit, 

 and produces fine large flowers. J. Day, Esq., has some fine 

 plants of this variety, which is very rare. 



S. Ruckeri. — A very fine species from New Grenada. It 

 grows two or more feet in height ; the flowers are very large, 

 the sepals and petals dark mauve, the lip, which is very open, 

 crimson, with a white centre. The plant produces four flowers 

 on a spike, open at the same time, and thus makes a grand 

 display ; and unlike many of the others it remains in bloom a 

 considerable time. It is at present a very rare species, but 



