132 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL. 



period of growth ; afterwards give them a good season of rest, 

 and keep them nearly dry at the roots : if allowed to get wet 

 during their rest they are apt to rot. They are propagated 

 by dividing the plants. 



Peristeria elata. A noble free growing Orchid from 

 Panama : with leaves three or four feet high, rising from large 

 bulbs five inches high, and sending up its tall spikes of white, 

 waxy flowers, in July, August, and September : the central 

 parts of each flower present very striking resemblance to the 

 figure of a dove. This plant continues blooming for two 

 months when the spikes are strong. 



P. cerina (from the Spanish Main) : it produces bunches of 

 yellow flowers close to the bulbs, and blooms in June or 

 July. 



P. guttata (from South America). A curious Orchid, which 

 produces bunches of flowers close to the bulbs, whence they 

 hang over the edge of the pot : colours red and yellow. 

 It blooms in September, lasting two or three weeks in 

 perfection. 



PHAJUS. 



A fine class of terrestrial Orchids, very free in producing 

 their beautiful spikes of flowers, and when well grown are 

 noble objects. They are of easy culture, and will repay at- 

 tention and care. They are large-growing plants, with noble 

 foliage : of this class there are not more than three, that I 

 know of, that are distinct and worth growing. All need the 

 same treatment, excepting albus. They all require plenty of 

 heat and moisture at their roots in their growing season, but 

 the water should not touch the young growth. Phajus 

 Wallichii and grandifolius are best grown in pots of large 

 size, with loam, leaf-mould, and rotten cow-dung, as directed 

 in the remarks on Terrestrial Orchids. They are propagated 

 by dividing the bulbs after they have done blooming. 



