266 oechid-grower's manual. 



cultivation. Their chief peculiarity consists in the base of 

 the lip being more or less contracted into a claw, lying upon 

 or adnate to the foot of the column. They are scattered 

 abundantly over India, and more sparingly in the South 

 Pacific Isles, and Australia, and Japan. 



Culture. — So extensive a genus must needs be variable in 

 habit, and in the treatment the several species require. Some 

 of them are compact in growth, while others are straggling ; 

 and some are very graceful, especiall}' when cultivated in 

 baskets and suspended from the roof, in order that their 

 pendent stems may hang down and exhibit the flowers to the 

 best advantage. All the drooping kinds, indeed, require to be 

 gi-own either in baskets, or on blocks of wood. Though re- 

 quiring different treatment, they may all be successfully culti- 

 vated with proper attention. The majority of the species are 

 found in India and the Indian Islands growing on the branches 

 of trees — frequently such as overhang streams of water. 



To grow these plants to perfection, they must have decided 

 periods of rest and of growth. It is quite necessary for the 

 production of a good crop of flowers that they should make 

 strong stems or pseudobulbs, and it is equally essential that 

 these growths should be well ripened. Some of the sorts are 

 best grown in pots, with peat and good drainage ; others do 

 best on blocks of wood. Nearly all of them should be placed 

 in the East Indian house during their period of growth, as 

 they require a good supply of heat, a moist atmosphere, and 

 a liberal quantity of water at the roots ; in fact, the moss or 

 peat should never be allowed to get dry while they are making 

 their growth. After the growth is finished, they may be 

 allowed a good season of rest by moving them into a cooler 

 house ; and during the time they are in the cool house they 

 must have very little water, only just enough to keep the 

 stems from shrivelling. This is the only way to make them 



