Dalkeith, where it bloomed in September last in full beauty, amongst many other 
notable Orchids which are well cultivated by the intelligent gardener, Mr. Priest, who 
takes great delight in the careful management of his plants. 
This species of Dendrobium is partially deciduous, the fully ripened stems 
sometimes losing the whole of their foliage, while the young growths retain their 
leaves until the following year. It grows from one to two feet in height, and 
produces its racemes of flowers sometimes from the top of the young growths, and 
sometimes from the old stems, in the latter case often bearing many spikes on the 
same stem. The flowers are of a rich rosy purple, and last in perfection for a 
considerable period. It is a most useful subject for associating with a button-hole 
bouquet, single flowers being shown off to great advantage by placing a light- -looking 
fern frond behind them. The racemes of flowers last a long time after being cut if 
placed in water, and are most useful in all floral decorations. By growing several 
plants, successional blooms may be had at different periods. 
This Tropical Australian species is best grown in a warm house, as the plants 
ria be a good amount of heat—70° to 80° while growing—and plenty of light, but 
the burning rays of the sun must be kept from them. They thrive best when 
planted in pans or baskets amongst rough fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, and 
suspended from the roof of the Orchid house. During the summer season they 
require a liberal supply of water, but in winter should have only sufficient to keep 
the stems plump. The plant will also succeed on blocks of wood, but, if grown in 
this way, it will in hot weather need watermg twice a day, and once a day at 
other times. Some cultivators have. been unsuccessful with this species, but we 
have found it to thrive well in a house where Crotons, Dipladenias, Stephanotis, ete., 
are grown; the Dendrobes seem to enjoy the moisture transmitted to them by the 
stove nine which are generally syringed in warm weather, and the dew arising 
from this operation appears to suit the Orchid. The syringe is also useful in subduing 
the red spider, which will sometimes attack the young growth. Insects often infest 
those kinds of Dendrobium that are grown in strong heat, but they must by this and 
other means be kept under. 
Such treatment suits almost all the popular Dendrobes, namely, D. Devonianum, 
D. Wardianum superbum, D. chrysanthum, D. superbum (macrophyllum), D. 
erassinode, ete.; and the plants are found to be much stronger by reason of hangmg 
near the glass well exposed to light, in which position they can be syringed on 
warm days—this moistening not only invigorating their growth, but being also a 
means of keeping insects under control. 
