collectors, numerous consignments have from time to time come to hand, which 

 have been established, and now enrich our stoves. This plant thrives best in a low 

 temperature, and on that account becomes more valuable to amateur growers ; it is 

 also very free flowering, and its, beautiful and curious flowers are deliciously fragrant^ 

 Our drawing was taken from a plant which bloomed with us last year in the 

 Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, Upper HoUoway, and which was admired by all 

 those who saw it. 



Houlletia odoratissima Antioqumisis is a semi-terrestrial Orchid, with ovate 

 ribbed pseudobulbs, and foliage of a rich dark green colour. The scape is erect 

 and grows a foot high, bearing many flowers of a large size ; the sepals are much 

 broader than the petals, but, like them, are rich chestnut-brown in colour; the long 

 lip i-s curious and fantastic in shape, somewhat sagittate, white, faintly tinged with 

 pale yellow. It blooms during the spring months and continues for some weeks 

 in full beauty. 



This Houlletia is free growing, and we find it thrive well in baskets suspended 

 from the roof, where it is well exposed to " the light, although it requires to be 

 shaded from the hottest sun in summer. The growing season commences when the 

 flowers are .over, -and during the formation of new growth a bountiful supply of 

 water is necessary. After the pseudobulbs are mature the plant should be subjected 

 to a period of rest ; but during this resting time a little water should be given 

 occasionally in just suflicient quantity to keep the bulbs plump. The bulbs must 

 never be allowed to shrivel, or the plant will rapidly deteriorate, and dwindle away* 

 The material we use for this plant is good rough fibrous peat, from which all the 

 fine particles have been shaken, to this we add some living sphagnum moss, and a 

 few broken potsherds or nodules of charcoal. This material will keep open and free, 

 so that no stagnant moisture remains about the roots ; drain well, and do not 

 overload the roots with potting material. Moderate-sized baskets are preferable to 

 large ones, but if desirable this plant may be grown in a pot, taking care that 



F 



the bases of the pseudobulbs are well elevated above the rim in order to allow of 

 a greater amount of surface room for the roots, and also to allow the water to 

 pass away rapidly from the young growths. We find it grow well in the Odonto- 

 glossum house, or in the coolest end of the Cattleya house. 



* 



HouUetias are propagated by division of the bulbs, just at the time the plants 

 are starting into growth, leaving about two old pseudobulbs with the leading shoot. 

 These divisions may be potted in the material recommended above ; but will require 

 a little extra shade and attention until they become established. 



