know that others have also done. We are, moreover, glad to notice that growers. 
are now more generally successful in retaining the leaves down to the rim of the pot. 
Tt has been said that Vandas are difficult to flower, but if the proper treatment 
is» given, there is no difficulty about it. We have ‘been growing and exhibiting 
these plants for nearly forty years, and can with confidence asgert that they are 
the most useful Orchids we have met with for exhibition and decorative purposes, 
They are also invaluable for furnishing cut flowers to be used either in button-hole- 
bouquets, or in any other convenient manner. The plant now figured, our sketch 
of which was taken from a small specimen at the Victoria N urseries, Upper Holloway, 
we consider the true Vanda tricolor; and there are besides other specially fine 
forms, which in time we hope to illustrate. 
Vanda tricolor is an evergreen plant, with gracefully recurved foliage. It grows. 
to the height of five or six feet, and produces “ breaks” freely from the sides of 
the stem, generally at the base,.so that in time the plants form large specimens, 
and when the growths get strong they all flower. We have scen as many as from 
ten to fifteen spikes on the same specimen. The sepals and petals are pale yellow 
spotted with reddish brown, and the lip is magenta, striped with white at the base. 
The plants bloom at different times of the year, and continue in perfection for about 
six weeks, perfuming the atmosphere of the house in which they are grown. These 
Vandas are natives of Java, and are of easy cultivation when they obtain suitable 
treatment, We have grown them in the same house for more than twenty years, 
and have never found any difficulty with them, but the plants have been constantly 
growing, improving, and blooming. - 
The house in which we grow our Vandas is sixty feet in length, and eighteen feet 
in width, with a centre and side tables, covered with slate, the floors being of cement; 
three pipes pass round the house, and these are fitted with about four zinc troughs to- 
hold water during the summer. The temperature during the resting season should 
be a minimum of 60°, but a few degrees higher would not do any harm at night; in 
the daytime it should range about 65°, unless by sun-heat, under the influence of 
which we allow it to get a few degrees higher. We always give air when the tem- 
perature is 65°, but always avoid cold draughts. We usually moisten our houses 
twice a day, morning and evening, if the weather is at all fine and the house dry; 
but the application of moisture should depend upon the weather; during the dull 
months of autumn and winter a little will suffice, but in summer, of course, a Con 
siderable amount of moisture spread over the tables and paths will be required. 
We always avoid throwing water on the pipes to cause steam, and we seldom sh ene. 
the plants unless there are some in a shrivelly state, in which case they require 
to be kept in the shade, and should have a slight syringing morning and evening 1 
cCmmer. The material we use for potting is good sphagnum moss, and plenty of 
drainage. They will also thrive in baskets suspended from the roof. 
(Continued under Plate 78). 
