in form and colouring, but the disk has three deep yellow keels, the middle one 
channelled, and a purple disk with four rows of white hairs at the base. Treat- 
ment as for P. simulans. 
PHAIUS WALLICHII. Native of Northern India. 
A very beautiful species with large, ovate pseudobulbs bearing a number of large, 
oblong-lanceolate, plaited leaves which sometimes grow from 3 to 4 feet in length. 
The erect spikes are tall, occasionally reaching a height of 5 feet. These carry a 
large number of 4-inch flowers with lance-shaped sepals and petals, white outside 
and orange-yellow flushed with reddish-purple on the inside. The lip is yellow 
with a brownish-purple throat, pointed at the apex and crisped at the margin. 
Flowers in Autumn and lasts about six weeks. 
Var. Mannii—Flowers larger and deeper in colour. 
There are many hybrids now available, all of which are interesting and most of 
them beautiful. Among the most attractive are:— 
Cooksonae — P. grandifolius x Humblotii. 
Cooksoni — P. Wallichii x simulans, 
Gravesii — P. Wallichii x  grandifolius. 
Hybrinus — P. grandifolius x Wallichii. 
Ruby — P. Cooksonae x Humblotii. 
PHATDARN OPSIS 
This rather large genus of epiphytical orchids includes in its number some of the 
loveliest of orchids; in fact, P. Schilleriana is, in my opinion, the most beautiful 
of all the treasures of the world of flowers. The long lasting quality of the blooms 
is an added attraction. The plants themselves are attractive in appearance and, 
given reasonably good conditions, are not difficult to maintain in good health. 
Many growers are reluctant to commence growing plants of this genus because 
they have the impression that Phalaenopses are difficult to cultivate. Actually, 
providing a reasonably airy, warm, sunny position is available, they present no 
problem. I am firmly convinced that heated houses are not only unnecessary in 
the warmer parts of Brisbane and the North, but are actually detrimental to the 
plants. Where the position of the grower is subject to frosts or frequent fallings 
of the temperature below 40° a heated house is necessary. Ordinarily, a glasshouse 
is desirable, but I have seen some very well-grown and floriferous plants growing 
in an ordinary open bushhouse in Brisbane. 
The usual potting medium is clean wood-charcoal with a topping of sphagnum 
moss, and this usually gives quite good results. Personally I am not very keen 
on sphagnum moss. It is adversely affected by tap water, and moreover it is too 
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