SCHOMBURGKIAS. 143 



S. retusum. A fine free-growing species, stronger than 

 most others ; blossoms in May and June, producing long 

 spikes of white and pink-spotted flowers in great abundance, 

 and continuing in bloom three or four weeks. A useful plant, 

 which comes in rather earlier than any of the other kinds. 



S, Wiglitianum. A small and pretty species from India, 

 not so good as any of the others that I have named ; but 

 still worth growing, on account of its compact habit and dis- 

 tinct coloured flowers, whose sepals and petals are orange- 

 yellow ; lip violet ; blossoms in June, and will last three weeks 

 in perfection. Thrives well on a block. 



SCHOMBURGKIAS. 



Of this genus only a few are worth cultivating, though 

 the blossoms of many are individually very attractive ; the 

 fact is, they are too shy in 'flowering, producing long spikes 

 with but very few blossoms on them. In growth they re- 

 semble Cattleyas or Lcelias, except that they are not so com- 

 pact, producing upright bulbs twelve inches or more in 

 length, with generally from one to three leaves on the top ; 

 their spikes proceed from the top of the bulbs, and are from 

 three to five feet long. The following are the best I have seen ; 

 they succeed on blocks or in baskets suspended from the roof 

 in moss and peat mixed together in the Cattleya house ; 

 they like a liberal supply of water during the growing season ; 

 after they have completed their growth keep them dry until 

 they begin to show flower. Propagation is effected by divid- 

 ing the bulbs. 



Schomburgkia crispa. A pretty species, from Brazil, with 

 bulbs a foot high, and spikes three feet long, with several 

 flowers on the top. This does best in a basket, and will grow 

 to a good size ; blossoms during winter, and will last three 

 weeks in perfection, if the flowers are kept dry. 



S. Lyonsii. A handsome kind, which grows a foot high, 



