Miltonia 



MILTONIA. 



The genus is named after Lord Milton, an 

 enthusiastic orchidist in the first quarter of the 

 last century. Not many species will thrive in the 

 cool house, unfortunately. 



Miltonias prove, upon dissection, to be closely 

 allied to Odontoglossums, but in appearance they 

 are very different. The flowers are curiously flat, 

 conspicuous for that reason, and large ; but few in 

 number, generally, by comparison with Odonto- 

 glossums. They spring from the side of the bulb 

 as it ripens. 



The leaves are so apt to turn yellow that it is 

 commonly thought natural, but this is not so. Too 

 strong light causes the disfigurement, which, how- 

 ever, does no harm if it be merely a change of 

 colour ; when plants flourish in a certain spot, to 

 move them because the leaves turn yellow is 

 hazardous, for they love the light. It is a genus 

 very easily cultivated. 



Miltonias should be treated in every respect like 

 Odontoglossums kept wet in summer and slightly 

 moist in winter, for they are always growing. No 

 orchids, perhaps, are so cruelly affected by tobacco 

 smoke, which is doubly unfortunate, because none 



