Oneidium stelligerum FErnesti is of evergreen habit, and as yet is very rare; 
it is a free-flowering plant, and produces its panicle of blossoms from the sides of 
its pseudobulbs when the growth is completed; the sepals and petals are yellowish 
with dark brown spots, the lip broad and of a delicate rose colour or light reddish 
brown. It blooms during the summer months, and lasts several weeks in flower. 
This Oncidium is best grown in a pot with good drainage and rough fibrous 
peat and sphagnum moss, and requires a moderate supply of water in the growing 
season, and an abundance of light and air. We find the species grows well in 
the cool Odontoglossum house, at the warmest part, and we have no doubt that 
this variety will thrive with the same treatment as_ the species. It may be 
propagated by dividing the pseudobulbs, a young growth and two old bulbs being 
retained to each division, as it would not be safe to have less to support the 
young growth. After they are divided, place them in small pots until they are 
well established, and then give them larger pots as they require it; but it should 
be remembered that over-potting is dangerous with all kinds of Orchids. 
CypPRIPEDIUM SprIcERIANUM.—We have received from (C. Walker, Esq., Brettagh 
Holt, Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, some fine flowers of Cypripedium Spicerianum, of 
which one spike bore two blossoms of good colour and large size. Some foliage 
was also sent with the flowers, which shows good cultivation, being fourteen inches. 
in length, one and a half in width, and of a fine dark glossy green colour. The 
flowers were sent to us for illustration, but we have already figured this species in 
our third volume, Plate 119. We, however, have now the pleasure to record the 
treatment by means of which Mr. Walker's gardener, Mr. McGregor, is enabled to 
Secure such success in their cultivation. He writes:— We have about forty plants. 
in four-inch pots and pans up to eighteen inches, and these plants bore one 
hundred and thirty flowers open at one time, with many buds to follow, the 
flowers being similar to those enclosed; we have six scapes with two flowers on 
each. We grow them all in the East India house, and keep them very wet all 
the year round, and, under this treatment, the foliage gets longer each year. We 
have sent you two leaves as samples.” As Mr. Walker observes: “It is one of 
the finest Cypripediums in cultivation, and one that everybody admires.” There 18 
no doubt that Mr. Walker’s plants have thorough drainage beneath a good open 
material so that the water passes through it readily. We have found this Cypr- 
pedium to require a great deal of moisture. We syringe our plants every day 
m spring and summer, and find them better for it; it does the growth good, 
and is also useful in keeping down the thrips, which Cypripediums are subject to. 
We have described Mr. Walker's treatment, but that might not suit in every 
locality, as a great deal depends upon the situation and construction of the houses. 
Hence it is most important in Orchid culture that locality and situation should be 
made a study. Our advice, therefore, would be:—Try the above treatment at first 
in a small way for two years, and, if it answers, then continue it—B. 8. W. 
