ORCHIDS I HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 83 



brown spots. It usually flowers in October or November, and has a 

 most pleasing perfume, resembling that of the Wild Primrose. The 

 necessary treatment is that recommended for Odontoglossum crispum, 

 but many prefer growing it in a teakwood basket suspended from the 

 roof ; but it also conforms readily to pot culture, and its varieties often 

 differ much in the size of the flower, also in shape and brilliancy of 

 colour, and it should be kept at the warmest end of the house. 



Good strong plants can be purchased at from 5s., 7s. 6d. to 

 10s. 6d. per leading growth, newly imported or established. 



ONCIDIUM VARICOSUM. From Brazil. 



This is another lovely species ; the beautiful labellum of which is a 

 rich yellow colour. It has enormous spikes bearing a large quantity of 

 flowers, and when seen in perfection is a most graceful plant. I am, 

 however, unable to recommend it to amateurs so strongly as others, as it 

 sometimes shows deterioration in growth from flowering so freely, still, 

 as it can be purchased at a moderate price, a few plants should be 

 grown, it being easy to give the plant a season's rest from blooming by 

 pinching out the flowers for one year, and so restore it to health again. 

 This Orchid may be grown in pans or baskets, in peat and sphagnum 

 moss. I have also done it well by growing it on blocks of wood sus- 

 pended flat-wise from the roof, and if apple, pear, or dogwood blocks are 

 obtainable, they are much to be preferred, especially if newly cut and 

 green, with the bark left on, and the plant securely fastened by means 

 of copper wire and copper tacks. If unable to procure these blocks, 

 the next best are small flat rafts made from teakwood, as these resist 

 decay for a long time. Should, however, decay overtake the block, or 

 slimy matter appear, it will be best to remove the plant carefully and 

 place it on a new one. It requires but little water in winter, and 

 when grown on wood there is less chance of its being over watered; 

 care must, however, be taken not to let the plant become dry during 

 the time it is carrying its flower spikes ; it should be suspended near 

 the glass. It blooms about November, and after flowering should be 

 at rest until the spring, only giving enough water to keep it in a plump 

 condition. If on a block or raft, water may be given freely, but if in 

 compost, then not so often. 



Good plants can be bought at from 5s. to 7s. 6d., newly 

 imported or semi-established. 



SOPHRONITIS GRANDIFLORA. From Brazil. 



This little gem is a very small- growing plant, requiring a limited 

 space only, and well deserves a place in every Cool Orchid-house ; the 

 flowers are generally solitary, and with never more than two on a 

 footstalk ; colour brilliant scarlet, and varying in size according to the 

 strength of the pseudobulb, the average width of the flower being 



