CHAPTER XXX 
GRAMMATOPMYLLUM. 
THIS genus consists of about five or six species, none of 
which are often seen under cultivation. When well 
grown and flowered they are, nevertheless, very hand- 
some and striking plants. The pseudo-bulbs are of large 
size, and bear stout, oblong, pointed leaves in opposite 
rows. The loose racemes of numerous flowers are pro- 
duced from the base of the pseudo-bulbs. The flowers 
are large, and showily coloured. The species are natives 
of Madagascar, Malacca, and the Malayan Peninsula and 
Archipelago. 
Culture.—Grammatophyllums do not lend themselves 
to our artificial conditions so freely as most Orchids, 
therefore more than ordinary care is required in their 
management. Indeed, we should not advise the amateur 
to commence the cultivation of these plants until he 
has become familiar with the treatment of more easily- 
grown Orchids. The plants should Be grown in _ perfectly- 
drained pots or baskets, and as they root freely and do 
not like disturbing, these should f rather large size. 
A compost of peat fibre and sphagnum suits them best, to 
which may be added, as potting proceeds, pieces of char- 
coal or broken brick. They must be liberally supplied 
with water during active growth; but after they have 
