40 ORCHIDS 



Aerides. 



with rain--i\-atcr poured through a moderately coarse rose. 

 The best time to re-pot Acridcs is during March, as they 

 immediately enter on their growing season after this period. 

 During the active season the}' require an abundant supply 

 of moisture, both at the roots and in the atmosphere. As 

 soon as the resting period arrives (which is indicated b}' 

 the scaling over of the apex of the roots), moisture must 

 be gradualh' reduced, and during winter little water is 

 needed, either at the roots or in the atmosphere ; but drought 

 should never be carried far enough to cause the leaves to 

 shrivel, a fair amount of flower, coupled \\ith good leafage, 

 being preferable to an abundance of bloom at the expense 

 of the health of the foliage. 



As before remarked, Aerides are peculiar to the Eastern 

 tropics, and therefore arc usually classed amongst the 

 Orchids that require tropical treatment. This is, to some 

 extent, correct ; }'et the}- do not require the great amount 

 of heat that inan}- imagine, and that until recentl}' has 

 been given them. During the winter season we have suc- 

 ceeded in kecijing man}- of the species at a temperature 

 of from SSdeg. to 6odeg., whilst during the growing season — 

 that is, from April to September — the temperature is allowed 

 to run up b}' sun-heat to 85deg- or podeg., so long as a 

 free circulation of air and a sufficienc}- of moisture are 

 secured. Except when the sun is powerful, the tempera- 

 ture at this time should be 7odeg. to 75deg. b}- da}-, and 

 /Odeg. by night. Excepting where otherwise' stated the 

 plants to be described require the abo\-e conditions. The 

 following are still in commerce : 



A. affine ( ]]'an). — This is hut a synonym of A. iniiltifleniiu. 



A. crassifolium (Rchb. /).— One of the best and most 

 popular of the Aci-idcs. It is a free grower, with stout, erect 

 stems, bearing thick, leather}-, deep green leaves, about Sin. long, 

 and drooping racemes of large, rose-purple flowers, the lip beinli 

 almost purple. The sepals are oval, the petals recurved, and the 

 lip is divided into three Ijlunt lobes, the front one being large, 

 tongue-shaped, and projecting forward. The flowers, whtch are 

 deliciously fragrant, are produced in May and June. Native of 

 Burma, where it is very abundant. Introduced by the Rev C S 

 Parish in 1864. (W. S. O., 3, t. 12.) 



A. crispum {LindL). — A tall, robust plant, with an erect habit, 

 producing an abundance of charming flowers. The deep green 



