often the hiding place of slug spawn, which hatches in due course, the resultant 
gastropods often playing havoc with root, leaves and flower spikes. Experiments 
made with the hardier species, such as amabilis and its varieties, have shown me 
that a thin layer of osmunda fibre on top of the charcoal gives very satisfactory 
results. Certainly it does not hold the water like the moss, but this disadvantage 
can be minimised by more frequent sprayings. One point in potting these plants 
is essential—they must be so potted that the base of the stem is above the level 
of the container. I find the best way to achieve this is to wire or tie the plant 
on to a piece of lin. x lin. hardwood just long enough to be wedged firmly in 
the top of the pot. Broken crocks, inserted edgeways, are put in for drainage, and 
the pot then filled to about an inch from the top with good sized pieces of char- 
coal. The plant on its length of hardwood is then wedged into place and the layer 
of osmunda fibre spread over the charcoal and about the plant. An empty cocoa- 
nut makes a remarkably good container for plants of this genus, the roots 
appearing to appreciate the rough fibrous nature of the cocoanut shell. 
Although all the Phalaenopses are natives of tropical countries, they are generally 
found growing upon highlands and usually upon the branch of a tree, but some- 
times in masses on the face of a cliff. In all cases they are exposed to the direct 
rays of the morning sun, and always they are in locations where there is a copious 
rainfall throughout the Summer months and comparatively little in the Winter 
months, though always sufficient to keep the plants from becoming too dry. 
Treatment approaching these conditions is therefore desirable when they are in 
cultivation. In the Summer frequent soakings are essential, and their surroundings 
should be sprayed two or three times a day. In Winter a wetting once a week is 
ample, but care should be taken that this is not done on a dull, bleak day. In 
fact, the watering of any orchids during the Winter months should be reserved 
for clear, bright, sunny mornings. In Winter particular care should be taken to 
avoid drips from the roof of the glasshouse falling into the centre of the plant, 
as this is almost certain to cause rot or damping off. 
Slugs, beetles, thrips, red spider and Java scale seem to have a particular fancy for 
Phalaenopses and gtowers should exercise constant vigilance so that they can be 
dealt with before damage is done to the roots or leaves. 
There are about 30 species recorded, of which the following are the choicest:— 
PHALAENOPSIS AMABILIS. Native of Java, Borneo and the Philippine Islands. 
(Illustrated. ) 
A magnificent species of hardy growth, making it one of the best for beginners 
to cultivate. It grows from a stout, fleshy stem clothed with oblong, thick, 
leathery, light green leaves, and furnished with numerous thick, fleshy, firm roots. 
The flower racemes are produced from the axils of the leaves, and are stout, long 
and arching, and usually purplish in colour. Flowers 4 to § inches in diameter. 
Petals considerably broader than the sepals, which they overlap. Both pure white. 
Lip three-lobed, white with a yellow tinge in the side lobes on the forward edges. 
Middle lobe pyriform and emarginate, the apex separating into two curling fila- 
ments, yellow in colour and twisting upwards. This species flowers at various 
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