134 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL. 



variegated foliage, as well as wonderfully distinct and fine 

 flowers j other kinds are also all compact handsome plants, 

 with beautiful thick fleshy leaves, from whose axils are produced 

 spikes of charming flowers. As regards growth they require 

 very little room, and they may be had in bloom all the 

 year round. I have seen grandiflora blooming for six months j 

 I have exhibited the same plant for seven years at six exhi- 

 bitions each year, and sometimes with as many as from 

 seventy to eighty flowers expanded on it at one time. This 

 same plant, I believe, is still in the collection of C. B. Warner, 

 Esq., at Stratford. I mention this fact to show how long 

 such a fine plant may be had in perfection ; for, if I recol- 

 lect rightly, it is quite fourteen years since we first exhibited 

 it at Chiswick and Regent's Park. 



There are now five sorts of Phalcenopsis in cultivation in 

 this country, and all are well worth growing ; they have all 

 beautiful flowers and handsome evergreen foliage ; they are 

 compact in their habits of growth, free flowering, and, as I 

 have just pointed out, continue a long time in perfection 

 all qualities proclaiming them to be plants of more than 

 ordinary value. They all require the same kind of treat- 

 ment, and an East Indian heat, together with a good supply 

 of moisture during their growing season. Plants of this 

 genus are found in Java, Manilla, and Borneo, where the 

 heat is high, and of course ought to be imitated under artifi- 

 cial circumstances as near as possible ; they are found grow- 

 ing on the branches of trees in damp, moist places. 



Nevertheless, they are of easy culture, and if properly 

 attended to are seldom out of order; unlike many other 

 Orchids they have no thick fleshy bulbs to support them, and 

 of course to have them in perfection they require more 

 nourishment. This is done by giving them more moisture at 

 their roots during the growing season ; in fact they should 

 never be allowed to get dry ; if so they are apt to shrivel 

 and often lose their bottom leaves, which spoils their appear- 



