NATURE OF FLOWER. 
I intend in this classification to show as nearly as possible those Dendrobiums best 
suited for horticultural purposes. This naturally depends upon the size and 
beauty of the blooms and upon the length of time they last in condition. Flowers 
of large size and attractive appearance with a lasting quality of three weeks will 
be marked F.1. Those of equal size and beauty, but which keep for two weeks 
and less than three weeks will be marked F.2. Those of the same size and beauty, 
but which bloom for less than two weeks will be marked F.3. 
The second group will consist of average size and beauty, and will be marked 
F.4, F.5, and F.6, according to their lasting qualities, 
The third group will be those orchids of good colouring, but of small size, and 
according to their lasting qualities will be marked F.7, F.8, and F.9. 
The fourth group will consist of orchids which grow in drooping clusters, such 
as Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, and those will be marked F.10, F.11, and F.12 on 
the same scale. 
The fifth group will be those grown for their quaintness of form, either of plant 
or flower, or from the point of view of local interest, and these will be marked 
F.13. 
In certain cases where the flowers of a species would, by their size or longevity, 
be classed in one of the above groups, but are of a dingy or unattractive colour, 
the symbol Z will be added to their flower quality symbol, thus F4Z. 
As an illustration of this method of classifying the Dendrobiums, let us take 
Dendrobium formosum. This will appear in the table, thus:— 
DENDROBIUM FORMOSUM. 
General description of the plant and flowers:— 
Al. B1. Cl. D1. E2. (eb) F1. By which it will be seen that it is a stout, erect 
growing plant, requiring warm treatment, with copious water in the Summer, 
and should be kept damp even in the Winter time, that it likes plenty of light, 
is best planted in a pot with osmunda fibre, and that it has large flowers which 
last well. 
The use of this method will save much valuable space, and will allow the more 
expeditious treatment of the genus in this table. After a little acquaintance 
readers should be able to interpret the symbols with ease. 
As I stated at the beginning of this article, the genus consists of more than 850 
known species. It is not within the scope of this table to deal with those species 
which are not of horticultural value. I am making an exception in the case of 
the Australian species, as a number of growers are interested in specialising in our 
native orchids, and a description of as many of these as possible may be helpful 
to such growers. 
The following are the principal species of Dendrobiums:— 
DENDROBIUM ADAE. Native of Queensland. 
A slender growing species of little horticultural value. Pseudobulbs slender, 9 to 
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