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the coast P. grandiflora grows in abundance, clinging to the trees by means of its tangled masses of long fleshy roots. 
Here it flowers in glorious profusion, its long slender spikes being crowded with numbers of snow-white flowers. 
Collectors find the spikes turned towards the south, while the leaves of the plant invariably incline to the north side of 
the tree branches. 
Phalzenopsis grandiflora, one of the fairest members of the most delightful group of orchids that tropical forests 
have yielded, has adorned our gardens for many years. It belongs to a group characterised by having long paniculate 
flower spikes, and including P. Schilleriana, Stuartiana, intermedia, Lowii, casta, leucorrhoda and amabilis; the last 
deservedly called the “Queen of Orchids,” is the nearest ally to P. grandiflora, Lindl., which was considered to be, when 
first introduced, but a large-flowered form of P. amabilis, Lindl., introduced some yeais previously. P. amabilis 
is a native of Manilla, whereas grandiflora inhabits Java and Borneo. P. grandiflora was first introduced alive to this 
country in 1848, and in that year the first flowering specimen was exhibited before the London Horticultural Society by 
Mr. J. H. Schroeder, of Stratford Green. The differences between P. amabilis and P. grandiflora were about that time 
defined by Dr. Lindley. He says: “ P. grandiflora has not only much larger flowers, but the lateral petals do not 
overlap so as to meet the dorsal sepal, as in amabilis, neither are the petals terminated in a point, as in amabilis. The 
lateral lobes of the lips are of different shape and partially yellow, while the cirrhi of the lip are yellow, not white.” 
This was Lindley’s description of the two plants when first introduced, but now the differences he pointed out as then 
existing between the two are not so apparent, since so many of both species have been imported. The larger flowers, 
narrower lip, and yellow instead of brownish-red staining of the lip, together with the colour of the foliage, which in 
amabilis is inclined to a purplish tinge and in grandiflora a pale green, are characters whereby the two may be distin- 
guished at a glance. There are several varieties of P. grandiflora in cultivation, differing principally in size and shape of 
the flower. Most distinct is the variety aurea, the subject of the accompanying plate. In this the flowers, as may be seen, 
differ from the typical form in having the lobes of the lip almost wholly of a deep yellow colour. We received this variety 
from one of the islands in the Straits Settlements, and although it has been introduced for several years, it is yet scarce in 
cultivation. 
Phalenopsids are notoriously difficult plants to cultivate successfully, and it has been said, with good reason, 
that any orchid grower who can grow P. grandiflora well can manage any other orchid. No doubt one of the 
chief reasons why we cannot manage them easily is because they are purely epiphytes, lacking those reservoirs of 
nutriment, the pseudo-bulbs, which the majority of orchids possess ; they have to depend upon their roots and leaves 
alone, and if these cannot be maintained in a healthy condition it is hopeless to expect success. In their homes, 
the hot and moist woods, they enjoy abundance of sunlight and heat, and they never suffer from lack of moisture. 
They are deluged with heavy rains by day and by heavy dews at night, and are thus able to recover from the effects of 
the sun-heat. The roots, therefore, may be said to be their stomach, and must be kept healthy. In some instances, 
travellers tell us, the roots of P. grandiflora are many feet in length, forming entangled masses. The most successful 
results in Phalaenopsis culture may be expected when the plants are grown in a hot and moist house in deep shade, 
and planted in sphagnum moss only. Wood baskets or cylinders are best adapted for them, as the roots are then 
less liable to injury. If ample drainage is given, so that no stagnant moisture can hang about the plants, no amount of 
water will hurt P. grandiflora during the summer, and the temperature of the house cannot be too high, provided there 
is good ventilation. Our long gloomy winters kill Phalzenopsids, or if they do not kill they impair the health of the plants 
and make them weakly. Frogs, too, are inimical to successful Phalaenopsis culture. Another cause to which ill success 
may be traced is the practice of allowing the plants to flower too freely, and so weaken themselves; if the system prevailed 
of allowing the plants to flower only in alternate years, much good would be the result, and even when the plants are 
allowed to bear spikes these should be severed from the plant as soon as all the buds are expanded. 
Phalzenopsids of all kinds are among the most difficult plants to import, and the greatest care is taken by col- 
lectors in order to insure success. After collecting them in the woods the plants are taken down to the port, and established 
by tying them on rafts before they are packed in Wardian cases for transmission home. Collectors even take the trouble 
to ship casks of rain water for the plants during the journey, but notwithstanding all this trouble and expense the plants 
often die during the passage through the Red Sea. 
Prepared from a plant in the possession of A. Ingram, Esq., Elstead House, Godalming. 
