726 oechid-grower's manual. 



THRIXSPERMUM— See S AKCocmius. 



T H IT N I A, Reichenhach fil. 



(Tribe Epidendreae, suHriie Bletieae.) 



A small genus of Asiatic Orchids, which are by some authorities 

 included in Phajus, from which genus, however, they are readily 

 distinguished by their manner of growth, and by several striking 

 differences, as, for example, their terete leafy stems., which grow 

 in fascicles, their deciduous leaves, and their terminal drooping 

 clusters of flowers provided with large membranaceous bracts. The 

 structure of the flowers very closely resembles that of Pliajus. Eeichen- 

 bach refers the genus to the tribe Arethuseae, and sums up the distinc- 

 tions between it and Phajvs, in these words : — " Thunias have a 

 terminal inflorescence on the leafy shoots when Phajuses have their 

 inflorescences and their fascicles of leaves apart. Thunias have fleshy 

 membraneous leaves, Phajuses have plaited ones. Thunias have per- 

 sistent, Phajuses deciduous bracts. Thunias have four, Phajuses eight 

 pollen masses. Phajus flowers get blue when dried, Thunias keep white 

 or get brownish. You can make cuttings of Thunias as of a Dracaena, 

 try it with Phajuses ! " There are some four or five species found in the 

 Himalayas and in Burmah. 



Culture. — The plants belonging to this genus should be grown in 

 the East Indian house, and be treated liberally with water. They will 

 ^row upon blocks, but pot culture is much the best. In potting 

 Thunias, the drainage provided should be perfect, and the potting 

 material should be rough peat and sphagnum in about equal parts. A 

 good mixture of peat, fibrous loam, and silver sand is preferable, as in 

 this compost the stems become more robust. After the flowers ai-e past 

 and the leaves have fallen, water should be entirely withheld, and they 

 should be removed to a lower temperature. These plants when growing 

 enjoy an abundance of sunshine. As soon as they begin to show signs 

 of growth, about the beginning of March, they should be potted; and as 

 soon as the young roots appear water should be given them sparingly. 

 Thunias may be propagated by division, and also by cutting up the old 

 stems into pieces about 6 inches long, and inserting them in a pot in 

 the same manner as ordinary cuttings. This latter operation should be 

 effected just when the young growths are complete. 



