Bletia 



BLETIA. 

 (Don Luis Blet, a Spanish botanist.) 



Only one of this genus is usually grown in the 

 cool house (B. hyacinthina), but all those named 

 will do very fairly. They are terrestrial orchids, 

 needing fibrous loam and leaf-mould, with enough 

 silver sand to make the compost porous. Ter- 

 restrial orchids, unlike epiphytes, take nourishment 

 from the material in which they are planted, and 

 enough of it must be given. Therefore a pot of 

 good size should be allowed them, and it is not to 

 be three parts filled with crocks, as in the other 

 case. Two inches at the bottom will suffice, then 

 a layer of moss and the compost, not rammed hard. 

 The bulbs should be just covered. 



Bletias must be very wet while growing. When 

 the flower- spike shows, manure- water may be given 

 with advantage twice a week, but very much diluted. 

 After flowering, the bulbs need perfect rest. They 

 may be repotted in January, but very little water 

 should be given till the young growth appears. 



The flower-spike pushes from the base of the 

 bulb when mature. 



Gampanulata (bell-like). Not showy, but pleas- 

 ing in colour. Purple, with white lip. Flowers 

 irregularly. Mexico, Peru. 



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