144 orchid-grower's manual. 



and of a darker colour than the ground ; the petals have some 

 radiating stripes of deep purple at their lower extremities ; 

 the lip is lance-shaped, dark chestnut brown, reticulated, with 

 a margin of blackish-purple. M. Roezl states that " it grows 

 in a temperature of 75° — 85° F. all the year round, in deep 

 shade, in an atmosphere saturated with moisture, and where 

 rain falls so constantly that the plant is almost always wet." 

 It, as well as the type, ought to be in every collection. — Costa 

 Plica. 



Bletia, Ruiz et Pa von. 

 ( Tribe Epidendrefe, suhtribe Bletieae.) 



The species belonging to this genus are terrestrial, a few only 

 being worth growing. The flowers of these are produced very 

 freely when they are thoroughly established, and are valuable for 

 cutting and bouquet work, on account of their pleasing colour, 

 and the long time they last in water. The pseudobulbs are 

 round or flattened, often tuberiform, and from these proceed 

 the long narrow deciduous leaves. The sepals are free, and 

 the lip spurless, its lateral lobes erect, parallel or spreading at 

 the apex ; the column is longish and footless. About a score 

 of species are known inhabiting Tropical America, China, and 

 Japan. 



Culture. — All the species are of easy culture, and may be 

 grown in the Mexican house or cool frame where there is a 

 little heat. The best material for growing these plants in is a 

 mixture of loam and leaf mould, with about two inches of 

 drainage in the bottom of the pot, covered with a layer of 

 moss or rough peat ; the pots should be filled with the mould 

 to within an inch of the top, the bulbs placed on the top 

 of the mould, and just covered over. They require a good 

 supply of water in the growing season, but not much heat. 

 After their growth is finished, give them a good season of 

 rest ; and keep them rather dry till they begin to grow. 



These plants require to be well grown to make them flower 



