AhW THEIR MANAGEMENT. yij 



Miltonia. 



pseudo-bulbs, and each scape bears one or more flowers ; 

 the petals and sepals are usualh" similar in form and 

 size, spreading ; the lip is large, general!}- flat and broad, 

 suddenly narrowed at the base to a short, thick neck ; 

 the disk on the front of the labellum is formed of several 

 prominent ridges ; the column is short, and usuall}- 

 winged. 



Culture. — All the species are epiphytes ; they therefore 

 require an open fibrous peat, broken into small lumps, 

 with most of the fine particles beaten out. Some thrive 

 when planted in well-drained pots or pans ; others are 

 healthiest when grown in shallow teak baskets. All 

 require liberal supplies of water at the roots when 

 growing, and sufficient when dormant to keep the 

 pseudo-bulbs in a plump state. As the details of 

 culture for most of the species differ somewhat, it will 

 be best to give particulars along with each kind. 

 Vaporising at regular intervals is desirable to prevent 

 the plants from being infested with thrips. Miltonias are 

 easily propagated by division, as the rhizomes branch 

 freel}-, and develop plenty of roots from the under side. 

 The most favourable time for re-potting and dividing 

 them is when the new roots make their appearance. 



The leaves and pseudo-bulbs of some of the Miltonias 

 are normally pale }-ellowish-green in colour, old parts of 

 the plants being almost wholly )-ellow. Some beginners 

 imagine that ill-health is the cause of this, but it is the 

 natural colour, and cannot be altered, e.xcept at the 

 expense of flowers. Miltonias like plenty of light, though 

 not direct sunlight, and thej- flower only when well 

 ripened. 



M. Candida (Lindi.). — A strong, large-leaved species, very 

 free-flowering under ordinary treatment. The pseudo-bulbs are 

 clustered, ovate, only slightly compressed, narrowed towards the 

 top, 3in. or more long, with a pair of apical leaves ift. in length 

 and i^iin. wide; the basal leaves are shorter, with broad sheaths. 

 Scape" erect, ift. or more long, bearing six to eight flowers, each 

 2^in. across ; petals and sepals spreading, red-brown, with a few 

 yellow bars and spots ; lip scoop-shaped, wavy at the margin, pure 

 white, afterwards turning to creamy-yellow. The plant blossoms 

 in autumn, the flowers remaining fresh for a month or more. 

 Brazil, 1830. (P. M. B., vi. 241.) 



