270 



ORCHIDS 



Lcelia. 



virgin, its flowers being so delicatel}' beautiful. The 

 species inhabit the warmer parts of America, from Brazil 

 to Mexico. 



Ciilturt'. — The cultural requirements of the second group 

 are practically the same as recommended for Cattlej-as 

 generalh'. The first group, however, is rather more difficult 

 to manage. The plants should be placed in well-drained 

 pans, or in teak-\\'ood baskets, and suspended near the 

 roof-glass of the house. Very little compost is required, a 

 small quantit)- of peat-fibre, mixed with sphagnum, being 

 sufficient. The temperature during the growing season 

 should be from 6odeg. to 65deg. by day, and from Sjdeg. 

 to 6odeg. by night ; but during bright, warm weather it 

 ma\- be allowed to run up much higher than this, if onl\- 

 plenty of air and moisture be supplied. The plants should 

 be examined for water twice daily in hot weather, and 

 freel)' syringed overhead. They require little shading at 

 an)' time. The plants must have ever)' encouragement 

 until the flou'crs ha\'e expanded. After the flowers have 

 been removed, less water is needed ; and, finall)', when the 

 new pseudo-bulbs are plump and ripe, water should be 

 altogether withheld, and the temperature be kept low, 

 only sufficient fire heat being nccessar)' to exclude frost. 

 Some growers place such species as inajalis and fitrfnracea 

 outside and expose them to full sunshine during August 

 and September. If, however, majalis is grown in a viner)", 

 suspended in a basket, there is little difficulty in inducing 

 it to flo\\er satisfactorily. A peach-house will also answer 

 the purpose equall)' well. 



L. acuminata {LindL). — A synonym of L. riibescens. 



L. albida {Batem.). — A very elegant species, Avith oblong or 

 pear-shaped pseudo-bulbs, bearing usually two strap-shaped, coria- 

 ceous, dark green leaves, about 6in. long. The scape is i \ii. or 

 more high, and bears from three to si.K flowers, which are not 

 large, but very fragrant and graceful ; the sepals and petals 

 are white, tinted with rose ; the lip also is white, or pale pink, 

 streaked in the centre with lines of yellow; the middle lobe 

 is curied back. A native of the mountains of Mexico, whence 

 it was mtroduced about 1S32. It is frequently imported in 

 large quantities, and is usually cheap. It flowers in November 

 and December. (B, M., t. 3957.) 



Yar. bella. — Flowers flushed with rose ; lip bright rose. 



