a fine specimen is a great ornament to any collection of plants, The plant here 
portrayed is a grand form of the species, and was grown in the Victoria and 
‘Paradise Nurseries, at Holloway. There are numerous other varieties, but the one 
figured is the best that has come under our notice. 
Calanthe masuca is an evergreen species, with plicate dark green leaves, which are 
eighteen inches in length, and six inches in breadth and have a bold and_hand- 
some appearance. The spikes attain the length of two to three feet, are produced 
from between the leaves, and bear on the summit a large raceme of handsome 
flowers. The sepals and petals are of a deep violet-purple, which with age become 
lighter, passing into lilac; lip, rich purple. Its blossoms are produced during the 
months of June, July, and August, and if kept free from cold damp, continue 
flowering for three months which renders it a highly important decorative Orchid. 
This being an East Indian terrestrial plant, it requires to be grown in a moist 
tropical stove, not necessarily an Orchid house. In such a structure we have seen some 
of the very finest specimens grown, and by those who do not profess to grow 
Orchids, and the majority of these evergreen species of Calanthe thrive well under 
exactly the same treatment. These Calanthes should have thorough drainage, and they 
should be grown in pots, while the soil should consist of good turfy loam and leaf-mould, 
and the plants should be kept down below the rim of the pot, in the same way as 
ordinary stove plants are potted. They have thick and fleshy roots, and require 
good soil to maintain them in health, and we have found them much _ benefited 
by an occasional application of weak liquid manure during the growing season. During 
the summer this species requires abundance of water, but its drainage must carry 
it away freely, and even during the winter months, although it requires a somewhat 
drier atmosphere, the soil must be kept in a moist and friable condition. As soon 
as growth is completed, the spikes begin to appear, and it is just at this time 
that the stimulant is of the greatest assistance in enabling the plant to develop its 
spikes, and produce fine blossoms. This species, and indeed all this section, well 
repay any trouble and care bestowed upon them, as they yield a great quantity 
of bloom when grown vigorously. They all require shading during bright sunshine, 
or their large leaves soon become disfigured, and perfect foliage is always necessary 
to a good floral display. 
The best time to re-pot these Calanthes is just after they have ceased blooming, 
at that time they usually commence to grow; in performing this operation bear 
mind the thick fleshy roots, and do not injure them more than is absolutely 
necessary. Shake off all the old soil, and when adding the new, some nodules of 
charcoal will be found to be a desirable addition. If it is thought necessary to 
increase the stock of plants, this is the best time to perform the operation by 
division. 
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