THE FLORISTS MANUAL. 



163 



Coelogyne Cristata. 



ONCIDIUM. This interesting genus 

 is perhaps the most useful commercially 

 of any for its gracefully delicate spikes 

 of beautifully marked flowers, some of 

 which can be had at all times of the 

 year under proper cultivation. Most of 

 them like the temperature of the 

 cattleya house, but can be grown in 

 cooler quarters if care is observed in 

 watering. Oncidiums do not like much 

 water on the foliage, but require plenty 

 of moisture in the atmosphere as well 

 as free ventilation. Many sorts grow 

 well on blocks, with sphagnum moss or 

 good, fibrous peat at the back of them, 

 and firmly fastened with strong copper 

 wire. All varieties delight to be sus 

 pended as near the glass as practicable, 

 but must be shaded lightly. They like 

 plenty of water at their roots in their 

 growing season, and those grown in pots 

 or baskets require an abundance of 

 drainage. They can be grown in either 

 peat or sphagnum, or both, but I prefer 

 the latter for most sorts, with some 

 bro&en charcoal. During their resting 

 season water very carefully, but on no 

 account allow them to suffer for want 

 of it. Most species are subject to the 

 white scale and should therefore be 

 watched. Slugs are very partial to 

 the young, tender flower spikes, and a 



best in a cool house and should surely 

 be in every collection. 



Odontoglossum citrosmum, a truly 

 beautiful species that comes from 

 Guatemala, and differs materially from 

 the preceding. It is best grown in a 

 basket, suspended in the cattleya house, 

 as it produces long, drooping flower 

 spikes of pure white ground, with al 

 most invisible lavender spots; blooms 

 in June or July. 



Odontoglossum maculatum, a charm 

 ing species that also comes from Guate 

 mala, and produces its beautiful, erect 

 spikes of yellow and crimson flowers 

 during the winter. Grow in a pot in the 

 cool house. 



Odontoglossum Phalsenopsis, one of 

 the best of the genus if properly 

 grown, and should be in every collec 

 tion. It grows best in the cattleya 

 house and should be grown in a pot 

 well drained. This is a very distinct 

 species, with very large, perfectly flat, 

 white and crimson flowers, which are 

 produced during the autumn months. 



Odontoglossum grande, a beautiful, 

 free flowering species, that comes from 

 Guatemala and is commonly known as 

 the baby orchid. It grows best in 

 a pot, blooms in autumn and winter, 

 the flowers lasting a very long time. 

 It produces an upright, stiff stem, with 

 from three to five large tiger-striped 

 yellow and brown flowers. It is sub 

 ject to thrips if allowed to become dry. 

 Should be grown in the cool house. 



Odontoglossum Eosii majus, is a sweet 

 little variety from Mexico. It grows 

 best on a block, with a little fibrous 

 peat and abundance of water. It is a 

 very free bloomer, with short spikes 

 of two or three beautifully marked 

 crimson and white flowers. A very 

 suitable variety for boutonnieres. It 

 deserves a place in every collection. 



Phalaenopsis Schilleriana. 



