ORCHIDS FOR PARLOR CULTURE. 145 



The best species for parlor culture is 



C. insigne. A noble plant from Nepal ; foliage narrow, 

 dark green ; flower solitary (rarely two), three inches 

 broad, greenish edged with white ; wings long, purple and 

 yellow. The flowers are very freely produced from Novem- 

 ber to February, and last two months in perfection. 



"SVe have now (January, 1876) a plant in the parlor win- 

 dow, with thirty-six flowers, which has been in full beauty 

 for four weeks ; the pot is two feet in diameter, and this 

 plant has been grown from a single small pot in two years. 

 This, however, was in the greenhouse ; but in the parlor 

 the growth, though slower, is no less satisfactory. 



Soil, rich peaty loam. This plant should never be al- 

 lowed to get dry, and requires very little rest. Grow in 

 full sunshine. 



O. venustum. A pretty species, with beautiful, variegated 

 foliage ; flowers, rich brown, green, and chocolate, but not 

 very showy. 



Requires the same soil and general treatment as the last. 



BLETIA. 



A family of terrestrial orchids of easy culture. The root- 

 stocks should be potted in autumn, grown with plenty of 

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