Dirca 



( 303 ) 



Dischidia 



DIRCA. (LKATHEU WOOD) 



Hardy, deciduous shrubs (ord. Tliymelseaceie), 

 which prow best in moist, peaty soil, and are 

 increased by layers and seeds. The species named 

 below is the only one In cultivation, occidentalis 

 not being grown as yet in this country. The bark 

 induces violent vomiting; if applied to the skin 

 it cau.-es irritation. 



Only Cultivated Species : 



palustris, 2' to (/, Moli., yel 



DISA. 



Description. Terrestrial Orchids (ord. Orchid- 

 aceie) from youth Africa. They are distinguished 

 by tuberous rootstocks, leafy, succulent, annual 

 stems, and flowers of which the sepals are usually 

 much larjrcr than the petals; the lower sepal is 

 furnished with a hooded spur. Upwards of 100 

 species have been described, but a few only are in 

 general cultivation, as they are very difficult to 

 establish, especially in the neighbourhood of large 

 towns, where the air is more or less impure. As 

 growth commences in late autumn, and the grow- 

 ing season is midwinter, they do not obtain 

 sufficient light for their requirements ; this is one 

 n-a-iciii why they are so difficult to manage. A 

 few species are grown very well in several estab- 

 lishments, particularly grandifiora, one of the most 

 beautiful of all Orchids. 



Propagation. This is effected by means of off- 

 sets, and by division when growth commences. 



Soil. Fibrous peat and sphagnum in equal pro- 

 portions, with a fair sprinkling of broken crocks 

 and charcoal ; if really good fibrous loam can be 

 obtained, a little may be added. 



Other Cultural Points. lie-potting should be 

 done early in December. The soil should be 

 mounded well above the rim of the pot, so that the 

 plant is lifted well up to ensure the collar being 

 kept dry. After potting, watering must be done 

 very carefully, until the pots are well filled with 

 roots, after which time abundance of water is 

 required, light syringings being given in bright 

 weather. When the flower spikes appear, weak 

 liquid manure may be applied. At all times a cool- 

 bottomed stage is necessary, dry heat quickly 

 proving fatal. After the llowers are over a decided 

 rest must be given. 



Principal Species and Varieties : - 

 gramlinora, '2'.', Je. , Jy. , 

 red, gold (fer figure). 



psittucimi, yel., ciin;. 

 spots. 



superba, sc. 



Other Species : 



atropurpureu, 6", Je., 



pur. 

 corimta, it", win., grn., 



wh., pur. 

 Draconis, 1', Je., wh., 



pur. 

 gramiiiifoliu, U', Je., bl. 



Principal Hybrids :- 



kewensis, '2', Je., Jy., ro. Veitchii, H', Je., Jy., ro. 

 langleyeusis, 1 \ ', Jy. , ro. wh. 



DISBUDDING. 



In the case of fruit trees, disbudding means 

 the removal of superfluous shoots soon after the 



leaves arc farmed. Its object is to avoid over- 

 crowded or badly placed shoots. By a judicious 



nervosa, 2', Je., ro. 

 racemosa, H', Je. , criin. , 



ro. , yel. 

 tripetaloides, IV, Je., Jy., 



wh., ro. spots. 



incurnata, 1', Je., or. red. 

 lacera, 1', Je., bl. 

 pidrhru, 2', Je. , lil. , pur. 

 sagittalis, 8", Je., wh., 



bl. 

 spathuhita, 1', Je., bl. 



system of disbudding a waste of force is avoided, 

 for the sap that would be otherwise expended 

 on superfluous shoots is confined to the support 

 of those that are left. The necessity for winter 

 pruning is minimised, and in some cases dis- 

 pensed with, by properly disbudding trees. The 

 term disbudding is also applied to the removal of 

 flower buds from Camellias, Chrysanthemums, and 

 many other plants when it is desired to secure a 

 limited number of fine blooms. In all cases where 

 disbudding is to be practised, the operation should 

 be performed before the buds are far advanced. 

 In the case of Chrysanthemums, the buds may be 

 rubbed off quite easily with the thumb or finger. 



DISCARIA. 



A genus of spiny, straggling shrubs (ord. Rham- 

 neas), with a few small leaves. A few are found in 

 Australia and New Zealand, others in South 

 America, They can be propagated by cuttings 



DlSA OKASDIl-LOKA. 



in spring, and thrive in a mixture of fibrous peat 

 and loam, to which a fair quantity of sand has 

 been added. They require greenhouse culture. 



Principal Species: 

 longispina, 3', sum., wh. Toumatou, 8', spr., wh. 



DISCHIDIA. 



Curious stove, evergreen climbing or trailing 

 plants (ortl. Asclepiadese), with long, thin branches 

 emitting roots from the joints, and thick, llesliy- 

 looking leaves. On some species the older leaves 

 are filled with roots, which start from the Mem 

 near the base of the leaf. The flowers are very 

 small, and not showy. They grow best in loose, 

 sandy peat, and like a soft Fern stem to ramiili: 

 over. 



(*i-r 



I I'lf I'll II III I' I'll (WC Cl/I'llllll III I'll). 



/>*. trail th H* (XT t'//i'lantfiii*). 



