AXB THEIR MANAGEMENT. 487 



Thunia. 



leafy stem in large, drooping clusters ; their structure 

 is very like that of P/iains, the sepals and petals being 

 arranged above the plane of the lip, the sides of the 

 latter inclosing the column, whilst the front portion is 

 expanded. The species are natives of India, Burma, &c., 

 where they appear to be very abundant. 



Culture. — E\-en the smallest collection should include a 

 few plants of this genus, for no Orchids of equal beauty- 

 are more easily grown and propagated. Although the\- 

 are said to be epiphytal when wild, they thrive best in 

 culti\ation when treated as terrestrial plants. Pots at 

 least one-third filled with drainage should be used, and a 

 compost consisting of fibrous peat, loam, and sphagnum, 

 with a sprinkling of silver sand. B}' using pots Sin. in 

 diameter, three or four stems may be planted together. 

 The soil in the centre should be higher than that at the 

 rim. The proper time for re-potting is as soon in spring- 

 as the \-oung growths begin to push from the base of 

 the old stems ; all the old soil must then be shaken oft", 

 and onl)- sufficient roots to fix the plants firmly should 

 be allowed to remain, a stick sufiiciently strong to secure 

 the growth in position being affixed. In full growth 

 liberal supplies of \\-ater must be given, but after the 

 flo\\-ering- season is over and the lea\-es begin to deca\', 

 this should be gradualh' reduced, and for about three 

 months in mid-winter none at all is needed. It is im- 

 portant that the plants should not be neglected — as is 

 apt to be the case — w-hen the leaves are falling ; at that 

 time they should have all the light and air possible. It 

 is on the proper care at this season that the quantit)- and 

 qualit}' of the next year's flowers depend. 



In a batch of Thunias, a good proportion of the stems 

 will each produce two or more young grow-ths. This is 

 the best means of increasing the stock, and is sufficient 

 to meet the requirements of ordinary gardens. If a large 

 number are required, the}- ma}- be obtained b_\' cutting the 

 old stems into lengths of about 6in., inserting these in 

 pots of sand, keeping them close until young growths 

 appear ; when the latter begin to emit roots, they may, 

 with the old piece of stem, attached, be potted and treated 

 in the usual way. They will take at least two years to 

 grow to flo\\'ering strength. 



