146 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL. 



SOPHRONITIS. 



Another small genus of Orchids, and one of them, grandi- 

 flora, very handsome. The others are worth growing, on 

 account of their not taking up much room ; they are small, 

 and are best grown on blocks of wood, with a liberal supply 

 of heat and moisture all the year. They are evergreen, 

 and produce their flowers from the top of the bulb, and are 

 propagated by dividing the plants just as they begin to 

 grow. 



Sophronitis cernua. A small-flowering Orchid from Rio, 

 with small bunches of red flowers, several together. It 

 blooms during the winter, lasting long in beauty. 



S. grandiflora. A truly handsome species from the Organ 

 Mountains ; the flowers are large, of a beautiful bright scarlet 

 colour, lasting six weeks or more in perfection. It blooms 

 in November and December. This plant ought to be in 

 every collection. Of this species there are two varieties ; 

 one produces short obtuse leaves, with exceedingly brilliant- 

 coloured flowers ; the other has longer leaves and bulbs, but 

 fainter-coloured flowers. 



S. violacea. A pretty, distinct species, from the same 

 country as the former. It produces its violet-coloured flowers 

 during the winter months, and lasts long in beauty. 



STANHOPEAS. 



Fine looking Orchids, most of which have handsome- 

 coloured, waxy-looking, and curiously-formed flowers, pro- 

 duced from the bottom of the plant on spikes, several 

 together. The flowers only last a few days. Bulbs short 

 with strong evergreen foliage, about a foot and a half high. 

 Stanhopeas are of easy culture, and are best grown with moss 

 in baskets suspended from the roof ; they require a liberal 

 supply of water in the growing season. After their growth 



