CULTURE OF TERRESTRIAL ORCHIDS. 79 



the only way to secure vigorous shoots is by growing the 

 foliage well ; therefore every attention should be given to 

 producing stout growtn, and large leaves. After once 

 starting into growth the plants should never be allowed 

 to flag for want of moisture. 



Some species will endure more sun than others, some 

 require a hot, shady location ; some, as Anczctochilus, re- 

 quire to be grown under a bell-glass. 



Some species are deciduous, others evergreen, and 

 specimens of both classes often occur in one genus as 

 in Cypripedicz. 



One of the most splendid terrestrial Orchids is Disa 

 grandiflora, a magnificent plant, which for years baffled 

 all attempts at cultivation. The difficulty has been over- 

 come, the mistake being in supposing that like most 

 Orchids it should be allowed to wholly dry off ; which 

 being done the plant never revived. The true treatment 

 is to keep it watered ; it will continue to grow and thrive, 

 and can be grown in any greenhouse from which frost is 

 excluded, as in its native locality the thermometer often 

 sinks to 32. The spike is thrown up about eighteen 

 inches high, and the beautiful and high colored flowers 

 are freely produced. 



Among terrestrial Orchids the genus Ancectochilus is 

 remarkable. The plants are of dwarf habit with beauti- 

 ful variegated leaves, varying in height from two to six 

 inches ; their leaves, which are well defined and generally 

 obtuse in form, varying from two to four inches in length 

 including the stalk, which, like the stem, is short and 

 fleshy. 



The foliage of all the species is remarkably singular 

 and beautiful, on some of the varieties resembling the 



