80 COOL ORCHID GROWING. 



*D. speciosum (New South Wales, 1824). -A plant attaining 

 to a large size, and though by some considered difficult to 

 flower, I have always found it to bloom well when liberally 

 treated. Its bulbs are large, from twelve to fourteen inches 

 long, as thick as the wrist at the base, bearing from three to 

 four thick leathery leaves at their apices, of a dark-green 

 colour ; spikes from twelve to eighteen inches lor^g, one or 

 two being produced from the apex of the well-ripened bulbs . 

 Flowers rather small, of a waxy consistence, and of a creamy- 

 white colour. Lip dotted with brown. This is commonly 

 called the " Eock Lily " in its native habitat. It flowers in 

 winter or spring, and lasts three weeks. 



*D. Hillii. A form of the last; but differs from it in having 

 longer and more slender bulbs, and the flower-spikes are also 

 much longer. Flowers very profusely and makes an excellent 

 exhibition plant when well grown. 



Both the above grow best in a compost of fresh fibrous 

 peat and dry turfy loam, from which the small particles have 

 been removed by sifting. To this add coarse sand and a few 

 dry horse-droppings or dry cow -dung ; either will do, though the 

 former are preferable. See that the pot is well drained. When 

 growing, the plants should receive an abundance of water. 

 Exposure to the sun will be beneficial if air is freely 

 admitted. 



*D. transparens (1849). This pretty little species comes 

 from the cool hills of Northern India, where it is epiphytal on 

 trees. Altitude, 5,000 to 6,000 feet. In habit and flowers it looks 

 like a dwarfed D. nobile, pseudo -bulbs slender, two feet high ; 

 flowers semi-transparent, from one to one and a half inch across, 

 white shaded with pink, lip with a purple blotch in the centre. 

 Flowers in April or May, and lasts well. It grows very freely 

 when treated like D. nobile, and bears a cool temperature 

 with impunity. 



