J58 



THE FLORISTS MANUAL. 



Phalaenopsis Schilleriana. 



grows stronger and has much larger 

 spikes; a very valuable variety for 

 commercial purposes, both as a pot 

 plant or cut flower. I have grown this 

 beautiful plant myself with more than 

 100 blooms on a spike. It blooms in 

 autumn and in early winter months 

 and lasts a long time in perfection. 



Oncidium tigrinum is another fine 

 species from Mexico, with a large, 

 branching spike of beautifully marked 

 yellow and brown flowers, produced in 

 winter; is a free bloomer and lasts a 

 long time in perfection. Grows best in 

 a pot 



Oncidium Cavendishianum is a beau- 

 tiful species, having large, heavy, 

 fleshy leaves, and is therefore best 

 grown in a pot. It produces during 

 winter enormous spikes of beautiful 

 yellow flowers, and they last six to 

 eight weeks in perfection. It is a na- 

 tive of Guatemala. Although when 

 in good health it produces very large 

 foliage, I do not think it needs a pot 

 or pan in proportion to its size, as 

 nothing is more injurious to it than 

 being over-potted. It requires careful 

 watering during the dull months of 

 winter, which is its resting season. 



PHALAENOPSIS. There are many 

 species of this genus, all beautiful, 

 though many are not productive 

 enough to warrant them a place in 

 the commercial list. They all require 

 a high temperature, not less than 65 

 degrees during winter, but 70 degrees 

 is even better. They delight in light, 

 heat, and moisture, and should be 

 lightly sprayed once a day during hot 

 weather; ventilate freely when it is 

 possible, as they delight in pure air, 

 but by no means place them In a 

 draught. They grow best in perfo- 

 rated pots, or baskets, well drained 

 with good, clean potsherds or broken 

 charcoal, or both, with a liberal top 

 dressing of good, live sphagnum, 



which should be removed as soon as 

 decay begins and replaced by fresh. 

 As phalaenopsis delight in cleanliness, 

 great care is necessary in potting this 

 genus, particularly Schilleriana and 

 amabilis, as they root freely and cling 

 firmly to the pot or basket in which 

 they are grown, and cannot be re- 

 moved without the aid of a knife, and 

 this is a very delicate operation, often 

 resulting in serious injury to the 

 plants. A good plan is to place the 

 plant, pot and all, into larger size and 

 fill up with charcoal ari fresh sphag- 

 num, and not disturb tne roots at all. 

 These plants should be suspended, if 

 possible, as they love the light, but 

 must be shaded from the direct sun, 

 or the leaves will burn; and never al- 

 low them to suffer for want of water. 



Phalaenopsis Schilleriana is a mag- 

 nificent species from Manila, has large 

 branching spikes during winter and 

 spring of beautiful mauve flowers 

 edged with white, with reddish brown 

 spotted lip. 



Phalaenopsis amabilis, a beautiful 

 species also from Manila, is certainly 

 the queen of this genus; blooms at all 

 times of the year and lasts a long time 

 in perfection. It has long, graceful 

 spikes of pure white flowers, lip spot- 



Orchids growing in hanging pots. 



