BE RTS) oe Re 
A small genus of epiphytical orchids usually treated as terrestrials for cultural 
purposes. Although all the species are attractive, the only one usually grown in 
Australia is P. elata, the ‘“‘dove orchid,” from which the genus was named, the 
reason being that its column has something of the appearance of a white dove. 
They are rather difficult to obtain, as they are notoriously bad carriers, only a 
small percentage of any shipment surviving the journey. However, once landed 
safely, they are easy to cultivate and make vigorous growth. 
They do best when treated as a terrestrial and given a rich compost of about equal 
parts of fibrous loam, leaf-mould and old cow-dung, with a little coarse sand or 
powdered brick. From the time growth starts in the Spring until the Summer 
is over they require copious water, but from the time growth is complete the 
supply must be diminished until, in the resting period, they must be kept prac- 
tically dry. When the flower spikes appear, fortnightly applications of liquid 
manure are beneficial, particularly if they have been left undisturbed for more 
than one year. There are eight species recorded, of which the following are the 
best. 
PERISTERIA CERINA. Native of Mexico. 
An attractive species with furrowed, dark green, egg-shaped pseudobulbs each 
about 3 inches long. They bear a number of stout, lanceolate, plaited, dark green 
leaves over a foot long. The short flower spike is stout and pendulous, and grows 
from the base of the bulbs. For this reason it should be grown in an open 
bottomed basket in the same way as Stanhopeas. The flowers, which usually 
number between six and twelve, are cup-shaped, fleshy, generally yellow, in some 
varieties dotted with purple or violet. Bushhouse treatment will serve in the 
warmer parts, but where the temperature falls below 50 degrees a glasshouse is 
desirable in the Winter time. 
PERISTERIA ELATA. Native of Panama, 
A fine species of great beauty, not only of the flowers but the plant itself. 
Pseudobulbs up to § inches tall, broadly ovate, slightly wrinkled when mature, 
and bearing three or more prominently nerved leaves about 6 inches wide and as 
much as 3 feet long, tapering at both ends. Flower stems erect and up to § feet 
long, bearing a large number of good sized, white, sweet-scented flowers each 
about 2 inches in width. Sepals and petals are somewhat concave, giving the 
flower a rather cup-like form. The dove-shaped column is united with the thick 
fleshy lip. The flower is usually pure white all over, but in some varieties the lip 
and the lobes of the column are purple spotted. This species does best in a large 
pot, and should be housed in a glasshouse when the temperature falls below SS. 
Flowers in Summer or Autumn, the flowers appearing in succession over a period 
of two months. 
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