58 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL. 



B. SUnneri. A beautiful free-flowering Orchid from 

 Guatemala, with deep rose-coloured blossoms, which are pro- 

 duced on a spike sometimes two feet long, with as many as 

 twenty to thirty flowers on each spike. It will continue in 

 flower from November to February. A valuable Orchid for 

 winter-blooming. 



B. spectdbilis. A charming species from the same country 

 as Skinneri, the flowers of which proceed from the top of the 

 bulb, on a spike bearing eight or ten flowers of a rosy pink, 

 or blush, dotted with deep crimson. It blooms in June and 

 July, and lasts three or four weeks in perfection, if kept in a 

 cool house. This makes a splendid plant for exhibition. I 

 have seen specimens at the Chiswick and Regent's Park 

 shows, with as many as twenty spikes on one block. A very 

 distinct and desirable Orchid. 



BLETIAS. 



These are terrestrial Orchids. There are several species 

 of this genus, but there are only a few that are worth 

 growing. They are of easy culture, and may be grown in 

 any warm house, so long as frost is kept from them the 

 bulbs are round and flat, from which proceed long narrow 

 leaves. They are deciduous. The best material for growing 

 them in is loam and leaf-mould mixed together, with about 

 two inches of drainage in the bottom of the pot, covered 

 with a layer of moss or rough peat : then fill the pot with 

 the mould to within an inch of the top, place the bulbs on 

 the top of the mould, and cover them over. They require a 

 good supply of water in the growing season, but not much 

 heat. After their growth is finished, give them a good 

 season of rest ; and they should be kept rather dry till they 

 begin to grow. 



B. campanulata, from Peru. The blossoms are of a deep 

 purple, with a white centre : flowers at different times of the 

 year, and lasts long in perfection. 



