The best potting medium is osmunda fibre, but a reasonably open compost of todea, 
peat, or polypodium will serve. The drainage must be good to allow the exit of 
surplus moisture from the copious waterings necessary. During the growing period 
liberal supplies of water must be applied to the roots, but care must be exercised 
to see that no moisture gets into the young growths, as they are prone to damping 
off. Once rot has started in a plant it is very difficult to save its life, as the disease 
spreads from bulb to bulb with great rapidity. Only ruthless use of the knife 
will be of avail. Miltonias will not flower unless the recently grown pseudobulbs 
have ripened thoroughly, and, to enable them to do this, water must be reduced 
considerably as soon as maturity is reached. On the other hand the pseudobulbs 
must not be allowed to shrivel or lose condition, or again it will be found hard 
to restore the plant to health. It will be seen, therefore, that the successful 
cultivation of this genus requires constant vigilance and thought. But so beautiful 
are the flowers that the extra care necessary to grow them is well worth while. 
One point that should be remembered is that in their natural state the leaves 
lose their original, light green colour as they mature; and acquire a rather yellowish 
appearance. Therefore, if your plants’ leaves suddenly show a tendency in this 
way, it is not necessarily a sign of ill-health, but rather that the plant is following 
its natural course. 
Hybrid Miltonias, of which there are numerous varieties now, having been 
brought up under artificial conditions, are rather easier to grow than the species, 
newly imported, which have not only to be acclimatised but accustomed to arti- 
ficial nutrition and conditions. But, when species are properly established, they 
are usually hardier and more prolific flowerers than the hybrids—for it is the 
tendency of all mixed breeds to produce and often increase the weaknesses of the 
parents as well as to produce their good qualities. 
Miltonias like plenty of light, but cannot sustain much exposure to direct sun 
rays. The following are the best species: — 
MILTONIA CANDIDA. Native of Brazil. 
One of the hardiest species, with clustered, ovate, slightly compressed pseudo- 
bulbs narrowing towards the apex with two long leaves at the top, each about a 
foot long and an inch and a half wide. The leaves at the base are shorter and 
have broad sheaths. The scape, which grows from inside the sheath of one of the 
basal leaves, is 12 inches or longer, and carries up to eight flowers each about 245 
inches wide. The spreading sepals and petals are reddish-brown and lightly barred 
and spotted with yellow. The lip is scoop-shaped and has a waved margin. It 
varies from white to cream at different stages of development. Flowers in Autumn, 
the blooms lasting about a month. This plant can be grown in a cool bushhouse 
throughout the Summer, but should be moved under glass in Winter. Grows best 
in a pot. 
MILTONIA CLOWESII. Native of Brazil. 
Another strong growing species rather similar to M. candida, Pseudobulbs and 
leaves similar to those of the previously mentioned species. The erect scapes carry 
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