AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



91 



PlialEenopsis continued. 



racemose, shortly pedicellate ; sepals and petals flatly 

 spreading, the latter much larger and wider than the 

 former; lip three-lobed, free, continuous with the 

 prolonged base of the column, and furnished with a 

 callosity at its base; column semi-terete, thickened up- 

 wards ; anther two-celled, containing two pollen masses, 

 attached by a strap-shaped caudicle to a cordate gland; 

 peduncles lateral, simple or branched. Leaves few, broad, 

 thick, leathery, two-ranked, notched at the top. Some of 

 the plants described below as species are probably natural 

 hybrids. 



The species of Phalcenopsis rank among the most 

 beautiful of the numerous Orchids in cultivation. One 

 or another of the representatives of the genus may be 

 seen in flower nearly the whole year round. The plants 

 require careful treatment, and the heat of a house devoted 

 to East Indian Orchids. In nurseries and a few private 

 gardens, where a large collection or quantity of these 

 plants are grown, it is customary to devote structures 

 specially to them ; this is most satisfactory, where prac- 

 ticable, as the proper treatment can be more readily 

 given than would be the case if other plants were inter- 

 mixed. Where, however, there is not an orchid- 

 house in existence, a few specimens of Phalcenopsis 

 may, with extra attention, be successfully cultivated 

 in an ordinary stove. It is important to remember that 

 the plants are natives of hot countries, where they are 

 deluged with water in the rainy season. They are found 

 growing on rocks, and on branches of trees, in damp 

 places. Not having any pseudo-bulbs in which nutri- 

 ment and moisture may be stored, and 

 the evaporating leaf surface being some- 

 what great, it is essential that, in the 

 growing season, plenty of water must 

 be given, and sufficient moisture pro- 

 vided at all times, according to weather, 

 to prevent the plants suffering for want 

 of it. The growing season is from March 

 until October, inclusive. During this in- 

 terval, the minimum day temperature 

 should be from 70deg. to 75deg., allowing 

 a rise to SOdeg. or more with sun heat ; 

 the night temperature being about 65deg. 

 In winter, 60deg. to 65deg. should be 

 taken as a minimum. Established plants 

 of Phalaenopsids require plenty of light, 

 but they must not be exposed to the 

 summer's sun. If this is allowed, the 

 foliage is liable to become scorched and 

 disfigured, and injury to the plant will 

 also ensue. A thin, movable shading, 

 that can easily be applied or removed, 

 should be provided. It is most usual 

 to suspend the plants from the roof ; 

 but they should not be hung too near, on account of 

 their liability to injury from cold. If grown in pots 

 or cylinder baskets, they should be arranged on a bed 

 or stage near the glass. 



Phalsenopsids may, under judicious treatment, be suc- 

 cessfully grown in pots, in baskets, or on blocks. Drainage 

 is of the utmost importance: epiphytal Orchids are 

 quite unable to withstand anything approaching stagnant 

 moisture. Clean potsherds, broken about in. square, 

 should be used in pots or baskets, so as to fill nearly 

 up to the rim ; or a small, inverted pot may be 

 placed inside for assisting in the drainage. Good sphag- 

 num, with a few pieces of fibrous peat and nodules of 

 charcoal, should be placed in sufficient quantity abdve 

 the drainage to allow the plant to rest on it at a 

 height, in the centre, of Sin. above the rim or edge. 

 The surface should be covered, after the plant is fixed 

 in position, with living sphagnum. Careful shading and 

 watering will be requisite for some time afterwards. 



Phalsenopsis continued. 



The shallow pots or pans specially made for Orchids 

 are well adapted for species of Phalcenopsis. They can 

 be readily suspended or taken down, and always 

 present a neat appearance when in use. If grown 

 on blocks, a little peat and sphagnum should be placed 

 beneath the plant, which should then be surrounded 

 with sphagnum, and fixed in position with a small 

 piece of wire. An important point in management ia 

 that of ventilation. Air should be admitted in summer 

 whenever it may be done with safety; but the venti- 

 lators should be placed near the pipes, so that the air 

 may become warmed before reaching the plants. Damp- 

 ing of the stage and floor, on bright days, should be per- 

 formed chiefly in the morning, so that it may become 

 nearly dried up by night; and drip must be carefully 

 guarded against. To keep the foliage clean, and remove 

 Thrips, which are often troublesome, the leaves should 

 be carefully sponged occasionally with clean, tepid water. 

 Should fumigating become a necessity, it must be con- 

 ducted with very great care. 



Propagation is very difficult, as the plants seldom 

 afford an opportunity for division. P. Luddemanniana 

 is more easily increased than any of the others; it pro- 

 duces young plants upon the flower stems. Occasionally, 

 some of the other species will also similarly multiply; 

 and P. Stuartiana sometimes produces young plants 

 upon its roots. When this takes place, these yonng 

 plants should be left until they form roots of their 

 own, when they may be placed separately on email 

 blocks. 



FIG. 102. PHAUENOPSIS AMABILIS. 



P amabilis (lovely).* a. varying considerably in size, some- 

 times exceeding 5in. in "diameter ; sepals and petals pure white 

 and rounded, of great substance; lip having a few bright 

 vellow streaks; panicle usually very fine, and branching. 

 Autumn. I. light green. Java, 1847. A remarkably handsome 

 species, closely allied to P. Aphrodite, and distinguished chiefly 

 by the larger flowers, colour of the lip, and in the longer and 

 lighter greln shade of the leaves. See Fig. 102. (B. M. 5184, 

 under name of P. (rrandiflora.) A variety named aurea has the 

 colouring of the lip much darker and richer than usual. 



P. amethystina (amethyst).* /. comparatively small, loose ; sepals 

 and petals white, spreading ; lip while, tinged with yellow at the 

 base, centre part rich amethyst, suffused with purple, and deeply 

 emarginate in front ; peduncle simple or branched, 4m. to 12in. 

 long, slender at the base, thicker towards the apex ; bracts 

 small, pointed. 1. stout, rigid, oblong, Sin. to 4in. long, 2m. to 

 2Ain broad, margins undulate. Sunda Isles (7), 1869. An elegant 

 but small-growing species. (G. C. 1870, 1731.) 



P antennifera (antennae-bearing), fl. rose-coloured, in a spike 

 2ft. long, having small, spreading, linear, side lobes to the stalk 

 of the lip; these, and the basal antennas, are deep orange, the 

 front lobe purple. Burmah, 1879. This plant much resembles 

 P. JCsincraUa. 



P. Aphrodite (Aphrodite).* rf. about 3in. across ; sepals and 



