Odontoglossum polyxanthum grandiflorum is a compact growing plant with dark 
green foliage, and produces its fine flower-spikes from the base of the pseudobulb, — 
each flower being of considerable size and of stout substance; the sepals and petals 
are large, ovate-lanceolate acute, deep yellow, the sepals having large roundish 
blotches of chestnut-brown, and the petals being more slightly marked near the — 
base; the lip is brownish purple edged with creamy white. The plant blooms 
during the spring months, and continues in beauty for six or eight weeks. 
The treatment which we find best to suit this plant is precisely the same as 
that given to O. crispwm and O. Pescatorer, which we have often explained, and of — 
which full particulars may be found in our pages. Mr. Woolford, of Downside, treats 
them in the same way. He grows them in a span-roofed house with all the light 
possible, and gives them plenty of moisture during the summer season, the supply 
being obtained from rain water tanks under the stages. This arrangement is one 
of the best that can be adopted, as rain water is better suited than any other to 
all plants, being natural to them in their wild condition. Consequently we find 
that the plants thrive better when soft water is used to supply their wants, the 
sphagnum moss also grows more freely; sometimes, indeed, hard water will kill 
the moss. There is a great difference in the quality of different waters, and hence 
rain water, which can be depended on for purity, is the safest to use for plant-culture. 
If this is not obtainable, water that has been exposed to the air for some time and 
has become aérated should take its place. This is a more important consideration 
than most people imagine. All such questions as this should be carefully studied, for 
. oftentimes attention to small items tends greatly to secure success. 
