The Culture of Greenhouse Orchids 



always show a combination of green, brown, and 

 blue, the latter generally in veins on a white 

 ground. This gives them a striking character by 

 itself. Also they are large, stately in growth and 

 flower, of strong scent, and winter-blooming. 



They must be potted with ample space for the 

 great fleshy roots, which push so freely and cling 

 so tight that the mass can never be disturbed 

 without grave injury. Peat and moss suit them, 

 or the Belgian system. Even more crocks than 

 usual must be employed for drainage, because they 

 need a vast supply of water while growing, and 

 abundance at all times as the extreme juiciness 

 of their roots warns us. The spike appears almost 

 as soon as the young growth often a pair to each 

 pseudo-bulb. 



Mackayi is the only species allotted to the cool 

 house in books; but all those I name will do well 

 there, and Gautieri does much better, if the night 

 temperature in winter be kept at 50, not falling 

 below 45 towards morning. 



Crinitum (hairy). Sepals and petals green, barred 

 with brown ; lip white, with hairy dark-blue veins. 

 Scented. Winter. Brazil. 1834. 5s. Figured, 

 p. 223. 



Gautieri (M. Gautier, a collector). Most beauti- 

 ful of all. This species is found difficult to grow, 



222 



