188 HOT-HOUSE AIR PLANTS. [December. 



ZygopetalumSy all very beautiful flowering, generally of a yel- 

 lowish green colour, spotted with brown. They re- 

 quire to be kept in a hot dry atmosphere. 



Orchideous epiphytes generally grow upon trees, in the 

 recesses of damp tropical forests, establishing themselves in 

 the forks of the branches, and even upon rocks, stones, or 

 decayed trees. Shade, therefore, is essential to their welfare ; 

 consequently, never permit them to be exposed to violent 

 sunshine. They require but little water at the roots, pro- 

 vided the atmosphere they grow in is very humid. The best 

 ?oil for them is a sandy, turfy peat, containing a large por- 

 tion of fibrous matter; mix with this pieces of pot-shreds or 

 cork, and be careful not to place the plant deep in the pot ; 

 they will also grow on blocks or sticks of wood. Although 

 we use and prefer small boxes (about six inches square) made 

 of cork, in which they grow finely and bloom profusely. 

 With some of the strong-growing kinds, we use, in addition 

 to the above soil, a little leaf-mould, using always plenty of 

 drainage. The house we cultivate them in has an eastern 

 aspect. Shade can easily be given to them by having creepers 

 trained up the rafters of the house, or an occasional large 

 plant, placed in such a situation as will afford most shade 

 during mid-day ; and it must be observed, that, although the 

 plants are fond of moisture, they never thrive, except the 

 water has a free passage from their roots. 



