textured sepals and petals, the latter being slightly the broader. They are greenish- 
yellow freely spotted with bright reddish-brown. Lip has a white base striped 
with orange at the base; the front lobe pale magenta with a white margin. It is 
strongly scented. Flowers in Summer and lasts well. This species does best in a 
basket. It must have ample light. Treatment as for Vanda Arbuthnotiana. 
Var. Marriottiana.—Sepals and petals glossy brown, with a magenta tint. Lip 
white at base and a magenta front lobe. No scent. 
VouASN PE A 
A small genus of climbing, epiphytical orchids of little horticultural value, 
although at least a few species have rather large, showy blooms. Plants are diffi- 
cult to obtain, but they make an interesting addition to a collection if the grower 
can give them the space and the conditions they require. They are all inhabitants 
of sweltering tropical jungles where the ground is always damp and the encircling 
air always humid. At the conclusion of the Great War I came ashore with the 
usual sailor’s idea of a peaceful farm. I had seen Vanilla planifolia growing in 
Fiji, where some people with whom I became acquainted were making at least a 
decent living out of Vanilla beans, the commercial chemist not having by then 
completely turned the fruit flavouring business into a matter of synthetic chemi- 
cals. I managed to land a few plants which I planted in sawn-off hollow logs at 
Redcliffe. For compost I used a mixture of leaf-mould and manure. In spite of 
the prognostications of a botanist friend the plants grew quite vigorously. Un- 
fortunately, they were assailed by caterpillars, locusts and opossums before they 
had a chance to flower. So they died miserably, and with them my hopes of a 
fortune from true Vanilla essence! Although the plants seemed likely to flourish 
in the open air, I doubt if they would have flowered. They require hot, moist 
conditions at all times, and to have any success with them a heated house will be 
necessary in Brisbane and the South. In the tropical North, however, there is no 
reason why they should not grow well enough out in the open. A compost of 
good fibrous peat with a little leaf-mould and manure will suit them well. They 
must have a frame upon which to climb, and this is best provided by a stout 
post with clinging bark to which the numerous. roots sent out from the stems 
can attach themselves. Ample water at all times must be given them. The follow- 
ing are the best species:— 
VANILLA LUTESCENS. Native of Venezuela, etc. 
A rather attractive species, with flowers about 6 inches across, usually borne 
in pairs on axillary racemes. Sepals and petals sulphur yellow. Lip bright yellow. 
VANILLA PHALAENOPSIS. Native of Madagascar. 
Quite a showy species with long, terete, leafless, channelled stems. Flowers, 23 
to 34 inches across, are produced in clusters at the end of branches from the 
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