The species we now bring before our subscribers is a very pretty one, 
introduced by Lieut.-Col. Emeric 8. Berkeley, Sibbertoft, Market Harborough, from 
whose plant our drawing was taken. There are several others that Mr. Berkeley 
has imported, and he seems to be still searching for novelties. 
Phalenopsis speciosa is a small compact evergreen plant, with light green leaves, 
about six inches in length, and bearing flowers of a deep crimson-purple, faintly 
barred with white. It blooms during the spring months, and continues in perfection — 
for a long time. 
It is best grown in the East India house, in a small basket, or on a block 
of wood. We consider small baskets to be the most advantageous, as they secure 
to the roots a better and more regular supply of moisture at the time they are 
in vigorous growth. Sphagnum moss is the best material, a few lumps of charcoal 
being intermixed with it, and should be accompanied by good drainage. The baskets 
should be suspended so that the roots can send themselves out into the moist 
atmosphere of the house, which is what they delight to do. Phalenopsids require 
to be kept shaded from the hot sun, as they can bear but little during the hot 
summer days, for the foliage being thick and fleshy they soon get disfigured. 
Great care should be taken to keep them free from insects. The thrips sometimes 
attacks them, and, if allowed to accumulate, soon disfigures the foliage and injures 
the plants, as the juices, which are the life of the plants, are thus taken from 
them; and since they have no thick fleshy bulbs to support them, but merely their 
small short stem and roots, they are best grown in the shade, so that the sun may 
not be allowed to burn them. 
Aéripes Lawrenct#.—This fine novelty was exhibited by Baron Schroeder at 
the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, September 9th, 1884, and was 
unanimously awarded a First-class Certificate. We gave a description of this fine 
thing under plate 109, of our third volume, and we are glad to find that it bears 
out all we then said of it. It has proved itself to be a plant of great beauty, 
and is undoubtedly the finest Agrides that has been introduced for many years.—~ 
B. 8. W. | | 
