140 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL. 



HENANTHERA. 



Renanthera coccinea. A Chinese Orchid, and the only one 

 of the genus that I have seen worth growing. It is a 

 straggling plant, often twelve feet or more in height, with 

 long stems, furnished with leaves up each side of them ; the 

 latter are about three inches long ; flowers beautiful orange 

 scarlet, produced from the axils of the leaves, and they con- 

 tinue in bloom several weeks together. This plant does 

 best trained up in the house where it is well exposed to 

 sunlight, which is the only sure way of inducing it to bloom ; 

 it is indeed a shy bloomer, which doubtless accounts for it 

 not being much cultivated. By letting it grow up the roof, 

 where it gets plenty of light and sun, it will, however, most 

 likely flower when sufficiently strong for that purpose. I 

 have seen it do well on a large block suspended from the roof, 

 where it had as many as five spikes on it at one time, and 

 when well bloomed it is well worth all the care that is 

 bestowed upon it, for it is a really handsome plant. As 

 regards treatment, grow it well during summer, and rest it 

 in winter, giving a liberal supply of heat and moisture during 

 the time it is in vigorous growth, which is from March till 

 October. While resting, let it have but little water just 

 enough to keep it from shrivelling. The most suitable 

 material for it is sphagnum moss at the bottom of the plant, 

 which should be kept moist during the growing season. 



SACCOLABIUMS. 



Some of the finest Orchids in cultivation belong to this 

 class. They are very compact in their growth, with beauti- 

 ful, long, and pendent evergreen foliage. Their habit of 

 growth is the same as that of the Aerides, and they require 

 the same heat and treatment. These plants inhabit the 

 hottest parts of India, and are found growing on the branches 



