Orchids below, producing a feature of floral grandeur which must be seen to be 
appreciated. Some growers object to Orchids which bear their flowers on long spikes, 
but we find them useful in producing a striking effect in staging the plants, as the 
flower spikes can then be brought to any point at which it may be required 
to introduce them. 
Our artist’s drawing was made through the kindness of W. H. Smee, Esq., | 
The Grange, Carshalton, where there is a most interesting collection of Orchids, 
including some fine specimens. Mr. Smee tries all kinds of experiments with his 
Orchids, growing some of them out of doors in summer, and he finds some of 
them to succeed well under this regime. We have no doubt a great deal may be 
learnt by experiments in this and other directions, and as so many plants can now 
be purchased at the cost of a few shillmgs each, they might be extensively tried 
at a very moderate outlay. 
Lelia superbiens is a fine evergreen plant, one of the noblest species of this 
section. It is a large growing epiphyte with fusiform stems bearing a pair of oblong- 
acute rigid leathery leaves at the top of each stem, the flower stalk or scape issuing 
from between them. This scape varies from three to nine fect in height, bearing 
at the end a raceme or cluster of from fourteen to twenty blossoms, often 
measuring seven inches across each of the flowers. The sepals and petals are 
of a beautiful rose colour, somewhat paler towards the base; the lip has the side 
lobes veined with deep crimson, and the front lobe of a deep rich crimson veined 
with a deeper crimson, while on the disk, extending half way up the lip, is 
a crest of five elevated subserrated orange-yellow lamelle which are truncate in 
front. This plant commences to show its spikes after the growth is completed, 
and lasts in bloom for some time if the flowers are kept dry. 
We have found this Lelia cultivated in several ways, either in a basket or in 
a pot; it will thrive in either, provided it has good drainage with rough fibrous 
peat and is elevated above the rim, so that the roots can go either in or outside 
as they please. It is a strong growing plant, and generally roots freely. It must 
not have much water at the roots; during the summer a little syringing on the 
old back bulbs will be beneficial to keep them in a vigorous state. After it has 
completed its growth the plant should be kept rather dry, just sufficient moisture being 
given to keep the stems plump until they begin to show flower spikes, after 
which a little more water may be given about the roots to encourage the flowers 
to come up strong and expand their blossoms freely. 
This Lelia will also thrive well on good sized blocks of wood, plunged in a 
pot, but grown in this way they require more attention as regards water. They 
require but little shade, but all the light possible, in order to 
secure the perfect ripen- 
ing of the stems, which will cause them to flower more freely. 
