CLEISOSTOMA RINGENS. Native of Philippine Islands. 
Small growing species up to about a foot in height with oblong leaves 3 to 4 inches 
long. Flowers produced from short raceme from axils of leaves—generally 4 to 6 
flowers at a time. Blooms are small and range from cream to a dingy yellow, the 
labellum being marked with purple and orange spots. The spur is comparatively 
large and broad. The climate of the Philippines is equatorial and there is very little 
difference between Summer and Winter—while the rainfall is comparatively high 
throughout the year. The low mean temperature at Mindanao is 70°, while the 
maximum average per month is round about 90° throughout the year. It will be 
seen from this that it will be necessary to grow this plant in a warm, moist glass- 
house in Brisbane, with heat desirable in Winter—while a heated glasshouse is es- 
sential for its well-being in the South. In North Queensland, in the warm areas, 
a warm bushhouse may serve, but it is probable that glasshouse conditions will be 
desirable even here during the Winter months. Copious water is needed except in 
Winter—but even during this season it must be kept damp. 
STAUROCHILUS DAWSONIANUS. Native of Moulmein, Assam, etc. 
This species grows on the trunks and branches of tall trees in the jungles around 
Rangoon. It resembles Vanda Roxburghii in appearance with its thick green re- 
curved leaves. The flowers, which are about eau-de-nil in colour, with a pink lab- 
ellum, are about an inch in diameter, and are produced from a drooping panicle 
from the axils of the leaves. They are sweetly scented. 
Culture. The Staurochilus are typical air-plants and hence require an open compost 
similar to that prescribed for Aerides. They also do quite well on blocks of wood. 
The species should be grown in a warm, moist atmosphere and during the Sum- 
mer time should have copious water applied to the roots. In Winter much less is 
necessary—in fact all that is required is enough to keep the plant from shrivelling. 
SARC OCHILUS 
This is a genus of epiphytical, evergreen orchids, most of which are of botanical 
interest only, being on the small side, but many of them are quite beautiful. 
There are about a dozen native species which are of interest to those who specialise 
in Australian or Queensland orchids. Strangely enough these Queensland orchids 
are rather difficult to grow in cultivation, and most growers find that after a 
year or two their plants have died or gone back so much that their end seems 
inevitable. The rather rare and beautiful Sarcochilus Hartmannii is an exception, 
and it seems to respond quite well to cultivation when treated as a terrestrial. 
Recommendations for treatment will be made when dealing with the species. 
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