116 ORCHIDS: HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 



six inches high, and the plants well rooted, and then they should have 

 water as often as ordinary plants simply when dry. 



With strong growth the formation of new bulbs takes place about 

 July and then a little weak liquid manure is beneficial, such as can be 

 obtained by soaking cow or sheep manure and using it in a well diluted 

 form at every watering until the flowers commence expanding and the 

 bulbs become denuded of foliage, then cease giving liquid manure, and 

 only give sufficient water to keep the soil from becoming too dry and 

 to keep the flower in full vigour. 



When the plants are out of flower water may be entirely withheld 

 until the potting season in March comes round, the plants in the 

 meantime being kept in a light and dry place, but when in flower they 

 can be removed to a warm conservatory or greenhouse, where the 

 flowers will last a month longer in perfection. They are cheap and of 

 easy propagation, the new pseudo bulbs often throwing two new 

 growths, whilst the old ones also grow and form new small bulbs, if 

 laid upon some sphagnum or something of a similar nature and kept 

 moist. The flower spikes are from two to three feet high, and the 

 flowers of a bright rose colour. 



Good bulbs are obtainable for 3s. 6d. to 5s. each. 



CALANTHE VESTITA RUBRO-OCULATA, AND C. VESTITA LUTEO-OCULATA. 



From Java. 



Two varieties which are very useful and generally grown, the 

 flowers of both being pure white, but the variety rubro has a red eye, 

 and luteo a yellow eye ; the flower stalks are not so tall or erect as in 

 Calanthe Veitchii, but the same treatment does for all, and bulbs 

 should be purchased about the same price. 



Many wrongly treated plants of Calanthes are subject to a disease 

 known as " spot," which comes on both the foliage and the bulbs, and 

 when once contracted it takes years of excellent treatment to eradicate 

 it ; so in purchasing bulbs it is necessary to see that the skin has a 

 clear appearance and is totally free from black marks or spots. 



CATTLEYA LAWRENCEANA. From Guiana. 



Although this lovely Orchid may be grown with those requiring 

 less warmth, its cultivation is much more satisfactory in a Warm house, 

 and it can either be grown in pots or baskets, but must be well up to 

 the light, and should be in a compost of peat, sphagnum, and broken 

 charcoal, as recommended for Cattleyas (see page 32), and the plant 

 should be placed on the south side of the house in a warm and light 

 position. 



It is usually late in the season, about October, before the new 

 pseudobulbs of this species are matured, and the plants should then be 

 placed at the coolest part of the house, or they may be removed to a 



