MORMODES 
A small genus of epiphytical plants, only about two of whose species are con- 
sidered to be worth cultivating. They are bulky plants with long, curving leaves 
of a handsome, dark green colour. They are rarely seen, but as there is always a 
possibility that a grower may land a specimen or two in a shipment of orchids 
from Mexico, I am including them in this table. 
They should be potted in a fibrous material such as staghorn peat, osmunda or 
polypodium with the addition of a few lumps of well dried cow-dung. The pots 
should be two-thirds filled with broken crocks and wood-charcoal, as drainage 
must be perfect to cope with the large supplies of water which must be given 
them after growth has well commenced. In the early stages of growth the matured 
pseudobulbs supply the young shoots with all the moisture and nourishment they 
require. They demand warm conditions and the temperature of their surroundings 
should not be allowed to fall below 55 degrees even in the ripening period. After 
flowering the plants should be placed in a dry part of the house and given only 
sufficient water to prevent shrivelling. The following species are worth growing 
if the opportunity presents itself. 
MORMODES LUXATUM. Native of Mexico. 
Pseudobulbs 4 to 6 inches high, thick and rounded at the base, tapering towards 
the top. Leaves, four to six in number, 1 to 2 feet long, lance-shaped and plaited, 
and bluish-green in colour. Flowers are produced on long, arching racemes which 
grow from the nodes of the pseudobulbs. Flowers, which are numerous, are each 
about three inches in diameter and are lemon-yellow, the lip being a deeper yellow 
with a brown streak down the middle. The flowers have the labellum uppermost. 
Var. eburneum.—Flowers up to 4 inches across, creamy-white in colour and 
very fragrant. 
Var. punctata.—Flowers white, sepals and petals spotted thickly with red on the 
inside. 
MORMODES PARDINUM. Native of Mexico. 
Pseudobulbs 4 to 7 inches long. Leaves dark green, lanceolate and membraneous. 
Scapes up to 18 inches long, crowned with large flowers with ovate, pointed 
sepals and petals whose tips converge upwards. Lip three-lobed, the side lobes 
being small and curved. Bright yellow in colour, richly spotted with brownish- 
red spots. Flowers in Summer and lasts about three weeks. 
There are about a dozen other species. 
= 2B 
