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' Mormodes pardinum is a beautiful deciduous species, and is a native of the 

 warmer parts of Mexico. The bulbs are terete and tapering upwards, attaining to 

 about six inches in height, and bearing on the upper part several lanceolate, 

 membraneous leaves. The flower-spike is produced from the base of the bulb, and 

 is a foot or more in length, with numerous flowers. Sepals and petals yellow, 

 spotted with rich brownish crimson ; lip three-lobed, bright yellow, also spotted with 

 brownish crimson. The Mormodes are easily cultivated, but they require somewhat 

 different treatment to the majority of Orchids. They are deciduous, losing their 

 leaves after the bulbs are matured, and for months exist upon the moisture 



of the atmosphere only, which, iji a state of nature, is derived from the 



dews at night ; in the day-time they are subjected to the full exposure of the 

 sunlight, whilst in the rainy season, which is the time they grow and flower, they 

 receive heavy downpours of rain. Under cultivation we find them succeed best 

 when growing in the heat of the East India house, and we endeavour to imitate 

 their natural surroundings as nearly as possible ; when growth is finished water 

 is entirely withheld, and whilst they are at rest we keep them in the interme 

 house, close to the glass, and fully exposed to the light. These deciduous 

 we find are often neglected, during their resting season, by being put away out of 



sight, in consequence of which their bulbs do not ripen, neither do they flower, and 

 are considered unsatisfactory ; but give them attention when at rest as well as when 

 growing, and they will well repay all the care bestowed upon them. These plants 

 are about half grown when in flower, so that although they lose their leaves annually, 

 there are always young leaves to accompany the blossoms. AVhen they have begun 

 to make new growth they should be re-potted if necessary. We find good fibrous 

 peat, or even turfy loam, mixed together, suits them ; drain the pots well, and 



elevate the plant above the rim in order to permit the water to pass rapidly away 



Mr. Scholes' Phal^enopsis at Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A.^ — We recently 



paid a visit to this gentleman's establishment, and were most agreeably surprised to 

 find in his collection of Orchids some of the most magnificent Phalsenopsis we have 



ever seen, for plants with fourteen leaves, measuring upwards of fifteen inches 

 in length, are not frequently to be met with ; here they are growing luxuriantly, 

 one plant of P. Schilleriana having over one hundred and forty flowers open. 

 There were many fine plants of this species, also of P. grancUflom and F. 

 amabilis gi-owing equally well. Mr. Scholes' mode of culture is to grow them in 

 wire baskets suspended from the roof in the East India-house; the material used for 

 them is live sphagnum moss, but during the growing season the plants are watered 

 frequently with weak liquid cow-manure. The method of propagating these plants, as 

 practised by Mr. Scholes, is worthy of attention, the old flower spikes being cut ojQT 

 and inserted in sand in the propagating-house, from which young plants are produced; 

 when these are large enough to take ofi", they are put into pans and pots. We saw 

 several plants, of various sizes, which have been obtained in this way. Mr. Scholes 

 is certainly to be congratulated on his success in the cultivation of these plants. 



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