DENDROBIUMS. 87 



take care that water does not lodge in the heart of the 

 plant. 



C. wllosum. A desirable Indian species, which grows about 

 a foot high, of a light green colour, spotted on the lower part 

 of the leaves with dark spot. Flowers on single stems, often 

 measuring five inches across, and having a fine glossy appear- 

 ance over their whole surface, which is orange red, intermixed 

 with light green and dark purple. Blossoms during April 

 and May, and continues six weeks in perfection. This makes 

 a fine exhibition plant on account of its long continuance in 

 flower and distinct colour. 



DENDROBIUMS. 



This is a magnificent class of plants ; some of their 

 flowers are very large and delicate in colour, and others 

 delightfully fragrant. There are not many plants that sur- 

 pass the dendrobiums. Their beautiful flowers are of nearly 

 every shade of colour, and many produce them very freely ; 

 some are compact in their growth, while others are strag- 

 gling ; some are very gracefully growing plants, especially 

 when cultivated in baskets and suspended from the roof, so 

 that their pendulous bulbs hang down and exhibit their 

 flowers to the best advantage : all the drooping kinds require 

 to be grown in this way ; some of them are evergreen, others 

 are deciduous. 



Though some of the dendrobiums require different treat- 

 ment from others, they may all be successfully cultivated 

 with proper attention. They are generally found in the 

 hotter parts of India, growing on the branches of trees, 

 frequently such as hang over streams of water ; and to grow 

 these plants to perfection they must have a good season 

 both of rest and growth. They require to be grown strong 

 to flower well. Some of the sorts are best grown in pots, 

 with peat and good drainage ; others do best, on blocks of 



