ORCHIDS FOR PARLOR CULTURE. 113 



The best species for parlor culture is C. insigne, a noble 

 plant from Nepaul, foliage narrow, dark green ; flowers 

 solitary (rarely two), three inches broad, greenish, edged 

 with white, wings long, purple and yellow. The flowers 

 are very freely produced from November to February, and 

 last two months in perfection. 



We have now Qanuary, 1876) a plant in the parlor win- 

 dow with thirty-six flowers, which has been in full beauty 

 for four weeks. The pot is two feet in diameter, and this 

 plant has been grown from a single small pot in two years. 

 This, however, was in the greenhouse, but in the parlor 

 the growth though slower is no less satisfactory. 



Soil, rich peaty loam. This plant should never be 

 allowed to get dry, and requires very little rest. Grow in 

 full sunshine. 



C. venustum. A pretty species with beautifully varie- 

 gated foliage, flowers rich brown, green, and chocolate, 

 but not very showy. Requires the same soil and general 

 treatment as the last. 



BLETIA. 



A family of terrestrial Orchids of easy culture. The 

 root stocks should be potted in autumn, and grown with 

 plenty of sun and water. The flowers are produced in 

 March on terminal spikes, and though transient are very 

 pretty. Soil, rich loam. After blooming, the foliage dies 

 away, and the roots go to rest. 



B. hyadnthina. A delicate species with purple flowers, 

 marked with white, somewhat resembling our wild Calopo~ 

 gon, easily grown. 

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