CHAPTER ‘EV 
SCHOMBURGKIA. 
THERE are about twelve species belonging to this genus, 
all of which are natives of tropical America. They are 
epiphytal, with erect, stem-like pseudo-bulbs—which in 
some species are hollow—bearing at the top from one 
to three leathery leaves. When not in flower some of them 
closely resemble some species of Cattleya or Lelia. The 
flower-stems are produced from the apex of the pseudo- 
bulbs, and are remarkable for the length to which they 
occasionally grow—in S. tibicinis as much as 8ft. The 
flowers are showy, with spreading, undulated sepals and 
petals, and a three-lobed lip, the side lobes of which 
are more or less incurved. Some of the species are 
extremely beautiful; notably, the finest form of S. tibicinis. 
Culture.—Unfortunately, Schomburgkias do not flower 
with freedom in cultivation. We should not, therefore, 
recommend them to the amateur until he has had some 
practice in the management of more easily-flowered Orchids. 
They are found to thrive best when grown in pots half-filled 
with drainage, in a compost of fibrous peat and sphagnum. 
During the period of most active growth they may be 
placed in the hottest house, giving them, at that time, 
abundance of water at the roots. When the pseudo-bulbs 
attain their full size, the plants should be removed to the 
