160 orchid-grower's manual. 



leaves during the season of rest. The latter deciduous group 

 is sometimes separated from Calanthe as a distinct genus 

 under the name of Preptanihe. Limatodes is also included as 

 a near ally of C. vestita by Bentham and Hooker. Nearly 

 all the species have striking and attractive flowers, one 

 peculiarity of which is that the claw of the lip is, in most 

 cases, connate with the column. 



The evergreen species are, for the most part, rather large 

 upright-growing plants with plaited leaves, which in some of 

 them are as much as a foot and a half long and six inches 

 broad. In this group the long erect floral racemes come up 

 between the leaves and are developed along with them. The 

 deciduous species, on the other hand, produce their flowers 

 after the leaves and bulbs are completed. When the blooming 

 period is passed, the pseudobulbs should be allowed to go to 

 rest in a leafless condition until the season for again starting 

 into growth. 



Culture. — The majority of the Calanthes are terrestrial 

 Orchids, and are consequently best grown in pots, with loam, 

 leaf mould, and rotten dung mixed together. When they are 

 planted, two inches of drainage should be put at the bottom of 

 the pot, then a layer of moss or rough peat ; after which the 

 pot should be filled up with the mould, so as to leave the plant 

 about level with the rim. They succeed best when grown in 

 the Indian house, and require well watering at the roots in 

 their growing season, so that the mould is never allowed to 

 get dry. A little manure water should be given when in 

 vigorous growth once a week, but it must not be used too 

 strong. But little rest is required by the evergreen kinds, 

 and during the resting period only enough water to keep the 

 soil slightly damp will be required. The deciduous species 

 require a thorough resting period, after the pseudobulbs are 

 matured and completed and the flowering season is past, 



