290 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



occasionally appear quite unexpectedly in an importation that is 

 supposed to consist only of the common species, there is an added 

 zest in buying and flowering imported lots. 



The immense importance of this Orchid lies in the fact that it 

 is very easily grown, and thrives in a cool house. It is quite an 

 amateur's plant, and an extremely beautiful one. We do not say 

 that it can be grown successfully by any amateur in a mixed 

 greenhouse ; that is not the case ; but it is quite tractable in other 

 respects. It is one of the plants which a person may choose who 

 has not much experience of Orchids, and who is prepared to set 

 apart a house, large or small, for a carefully chosen selection of 

 pretty but easily grown kinds. 



Perhaps the next most important Odontoglossum is that which 

 botanists tell us should not be classed as an Odontoglossum at all, 

 but a Miltonia, namely, vexilfarium. This species, with its large, 

 flattish, soft rose flowers, which are borne in great abundance, is 

 very attractive, and thrives in a cool house. There are many 

 varieties both of this and crispum, and the price varies according 

 as they are rare or common. 



Other species which may be named are Cervantesii, dwarf, 

 blooming in spring, blush, with brown rings ; citrosmum, dwarf, 

 a spring bloomer, pink with rose and yellow lip ; grande, dwarf, 

 an autumn bloomer, yellow and brown ; Hallii, tall, flowering in 

 spring, chocolate and yellow ; luteo-purpureum, spring and early 

 summer, purplish brown and yellow; nobile (Pescatorei\ medium 

 height, spring-blooming, blush, purple spots, yellow crest; and 

 triumphans, tall, spring and early summer, yellow and brown. 

 There are many varieties of the two last. 



Some of the most beautiful Odontoglossums are of hybrid origin, 

 being the result of crosses made by British and Belgian florists 

 between well-known species. For the most part they are expensive. 



Assuming that imported pieces are bought, as being inexpen- 

 sive, and easily developed into beautiful plants, they may be put 



