The Culture of Greenhouse Orchids 



Macranthum (large flower). Stateliest of Oncids. 

 Very large ; sepals golden, tinged with bronze ; 

 petals gold ; tiny white lip, with wings of bright 

 mauve. Conscious of its beauty, it is by no means 

 eager to bloom, and the long twining spike grows 

 very slowly an incubation of twelve months is 

 recorded ; but the flowers last a time proportionate. 

 The spike, which may be ten feet long or more, 

 should be twisted back carefully so as to form a 

 cluster of bloom. It does best upon a piece of 

 fern-stem set in a pot. May to 'August. Peru and 

 Ecuador. 1867. 7s. 6d. Figured in plate. 



The variety hastiferum (spear-bearing, from a 

 peculiarity of the lip) is larger, and even more 

 finely coloured. 



Marshallianum (Mr. Marshall, an amateur). A 

 noble species, which we do not yet understand 

 thoroughly. It rarely thrives beyond the third 

 season. Many -flowered ; large sepals, yellow, banded 

 with purplish brown; petals yellow, with brown 

 blotches down the centre; lip golden. Basket. 

 April and July. Brazil. 1866. Is. 6d. 



Micropogon (little beard). Small, but very bright 

 and graceful; commonly pronounced difficult to 

 grow, however. It loves the sun, and in winter it 

 must be placed in the cool end of the Cattleyas 

 house, receiving very little water. Thus treated 



200 



