THE FLORISTS' MANUAL. 



J57 



cially of any for its gracefully delicate 

 spikes of beautifully marked flowers, 

 some of which can be had at all times 

 of the year under proper cultivation. 

 Most of them like the temperature of 

 the cattleya house, but can be grown 

 in cooler quarters if care is observed 

 in watering. Oncidiums do not like 

 much water on the foliage, but require 

 plenty of moisture In the atmosphere 

 as well as free ventilation. Many sorts 

 grow well on blocks, with sphagnum 

 moss or good, fibrous peat at the back 

 of them, and firmly fastened with 

 strong copper wire. All varieties de- 

 light to be . suspended as near the 

 glass as practicable, but must be 

 shaded lightly. They like plenty of 

 water at their roots in their growing 

 season, and those grown in pots or 

 baskets require an abundance of drain- 

 age. They can be grown in either peat 

 or sphagnum, or both, but I prefer the 

 latter for most sorts, with some brok- 

 en charcoal. During their resting sea- 

 son water very carefully, but on no 

 account allow them to suffer for want 

 of it. Most species are subject to the 

 white scale and should therefore be 

 watched. Slugs are very partial to 

 the young, tender flower spikes, and a 

 small piece of cotton batting should 

 be tied around them to save them from 

 the depredations of these pests. 



Oncidium ampliatum majus is, I 

 think, a native of Guatemala, and pro- 

 duces its large, branching spikes of 

 beautiful yellow flowers in spring, and 

 continues blooming for at least six 

 weeks if in robust health. It grows 

 best in a pot or basket, but can be 

 grown on a block if plenty of water is 

 given. 



Laelta Anceps. 



Qdontoglossum Rossii Majus. 



Oncidium incurvum, a pretty Mexi- 

 can species, blooming very freely in 

 winter, has long spikes of white and 

 brown flowers. Grows best in a pot, 

 with the same treatment as the above. 



Oncidium crispum, a grand dwarf 

 species from Brazil, grows best on a 

 block with a little sphagnum or fibrous 

 peat, loves moisture and does well in 

 the cattleya house or any house main- 

 taining a night temperature of 55 to 

 60 degrees; blooms generally in sum- 

 mer; has a large, branching spike of 

 yellowish copper color; is very at- 

 tractive and lasts about three or four 

 weeks. 



Oncidium reflexum, a fine old species 

 from Mexico, produces numerous 

 spikes of beautiful yellow flowers dur- 

 ing autumn. It is a general favorite 

 with both grower and purchaser and 

 should be grown by all orchid grow- 

 ers. 



Oncidium varicosum is a good spe- 

 cies for all to grow, as it is a very 

 free grower and good bloomer. Grows 

 best in a flat pot or basket, in a warm 

 house, suspended; has a fine spike of 

 canary yellow flowers; very imposing 

 in appearance; is a native of Brazil; 

 blooms in summer and lasts a long 

 time in perfection. 



Onoidium varicosum Rogersii, one of 

 the very best of the genus, similar to 

 the above in habit and color, but 



