584 oechid-grower's manual. 



ThuniA, Reichenhach fil. 

 {Tribe Epidendre^, subtribe Bletiese.) 



A small genus of Asiatic Orchids, which are by some autho- 

 rities included in Phajus, from which genus, however, they 

 are readily distinguished by their manner of growth, and by 

 several striking differences, as, for example, by their terete 

 leafy stems, which grow in fascicles, by their deciduous leaves, 

 and by their terminal drooping clusters of flowers provided 

 with large membranaceous bracts. The structure of the flowers 

 very closely resembles that of Phajus. Professor Keichenbach 

 refers the genus to the tribe Arethusea, and sums up the 

 distinctions between it and Phajiis, in these words : — 

 " Thunias have a terminal inflorescence on the leafy shoots 

 when Phajuses have their inflorescences and their fascicles 

 of leaves apart. Thunias have fleshy membraneous leaves, 

 Phajuses have plaited ones, Thunias have persistent, Phajuses 

 deciduous bracts. Thunias have four, Phajuses eight pollen 

 masses. Phajus flowers get blue when dried, Thunias keep 

 white or get brownish. You can make cuttings of Thunias 

 as of a Dracaena, try it with Phajuses f' There are some 

 four or five species found in the Himalayas and in Burmah. 



Culture. — The plants belonging to this genus should be grown 

 in the East Indian house, and be treated liberally with water. 

 They will grow upon blocks, but pot culture is much the best. 

 In potting Thunias, the drainage provided should be perfect, 

 and the potting material should be rough peat and sphagnum 

 in about equal parts. After the flowers are past and the 

 leaves have fallen, only just sufficient water should be given 

 to keep them from shrivelling, and they should be removed 

 to a lower temperature. Thunias may be propagated by 

 division, and also by cutting up the old stems into pieces 



