DENDROBIUM. 321 



lip being more or less contracted into a claw, lying upon or adnate 

 to the foot of the column. They are scattered abundantly over India, 

 and more sparingly in the South Pacific Isles, Australia, New Guinea, 

 and Japan. Since the last edition of this work was published a 

 number of hybrids have been raised in this countiy, some of which 

 are verj' beautiful and free flowering ; the best of them are included 

 below. 



Culture. — So extensive a genus must needs be variable in habit, and 

 in the treatment the several species require. Some of them are compact 

 in growth, while others are straggling ; and some are very graceful, 

 especially when cultivated in baskets and suspended from the roof, in 

 order that their pendent stems may hang down and exhibit the flowers 

 to the best advantage. All the drooping kinds, indeed, require to be 

 grown either in baskets, or on blocks of wood. Though requiring 

 different treatment, they may all be successfully cultivated with proper 

 attention. The majority of the species are found in India and the 

 Indian Islands growing on the branches of trees — frequently such as 

 overhang streams of water. 



To grow these plants to perfection, they must have decided periods 

 of rest and of growth. It is quite necessary for the production of a good 

 crop of flowers that they should make strong stems or pseudobulbs, and 

 it is equally essential that these growths should be well ripened. Some 

 of the sorts are best grown in pots, with peat and good drainage ; others 

 do best on blocks of wood. Nearly all of them should be placed in the 

 East Indian house during their period of growth, as they require a good 

 supply of heat, a moist atmosphere, and a liberal quantity of water at 

 the roots ; in fact, the moss or peat should never be allowed to get dry 

 while they are making their growth. After the growth is finished, they 

 may be allowed a good season of rest by moving them into a cooler 

 house ; and during the time they are in the cool house they must have 

 very little water, only just enough to keep the stems from shrivelling. 

 This is the only way to make them grow vigorously and flower freely. 

 When they begin to make new growth they should be moved back into 

 a warmer house, and treated as above described. They generally com- 

 mence to grow after their flowers have faded. These remarks apply to 



tlie East Indian kinds. 



21 



