62 CALANTHE. 



tion of a little dried cow-manure. When the pseudo-bulbs are potted 

 singly, which is the usual practice, small pots should be preferred, from 

 which the plants can be subse(|uently shifted into others of larger 

 dimensions if necessary. The pots should be filled to one-half their 

 depth with drainage consisting of clean broken crocks, upon which may 

 be placed a layer of sphagnum, and the remainder filled with compost 

 tip to the rim. Water must be given sparingly at first until the new 

 growths, in the axis of which the pseudo-bulbs are formed, begin to root 

 freely. As soon as active growth has fairly commenced the plants 

 must receive frequent and liberal waterings at the roots. At this stage, 

 when the pots are well filled with roots, manj'^ cultivators supplement 

 the usual waterings with a little weak manure water, a]jplying it about 

 once a week or less frequently according to the condition of the plants. 

 As the new pseudo-bulbs approach maturity and the leaves begin to 

 turn yellow, the waterings must be gradually reduced in frequency and 

 quantity, till at length when the leaves have fallen and the flower 

 scapes appear, they must reach the minimum or only just sufficient to 

 prevent the latter from drooping. After flowering water must be with- 

 held altogether and the pseiido-bulbs allowed to become dormant ; they 

 will be most eff'ectively brought into this state by laying the pots on 

 their sides in any dry place such as may be found under one of the 

 stages of the house in which they are cultivated. Coming from one 

 of the hottest regions of the globe, the Calanthes of this section require 

 the temperature of the East Indian house, in which during active growth 

 they should have a light and airy position ; they may also be success- 

 fully cultivated in a ]3ine stove or a cucumber house. 



VeratrifolI/E. The same compost may be used for the species and 

 hybrids belonging to this group as for the deciduous kinds, giving 

 drainage to about one-third of the depth of the pot. The re-potting 

 should be performed in early spring, and as all the cultivated kinds 

 are vigorous-growing plants that root freely they require ample pot room. 

 They shoidd receive copious waterings while growing, and even in the 

 winter months they must at no time be allowed to get quite dry at the 

 roots. Being evergreen with foliage of stouter texture than that of the 

 Vestit.e gTOup, they can endure a greater amount of shade, and they may 

 also be grown in a somewhat lower temperature such as is maintained in 

 the intermediate house ; for the Japanese species the temperature of an 

 ordinary greenhouse is sufficient. The flowering season of most of the 

 tropical species belonging to this group may be prolonged by removing 

 the plants, as soon as the first flowers have expanded, into a lower 

 temperature and drier atmosphere. 



The Calanthes of this group are at all times liable to the attacks of 

 brown scale and green fly (aphides) ; the former attach themselves to 

 the leaves and may be checked by sponging with soapy water ; the 

 latter settle on the flowers and may be dislodged by fumigating. 



