Pleione 



they never fail unless by neglect, or, the other 

 extreme, misdirected attention. This latter danger 

 threatens them when starting into growth. When 

 the flower is done they should be repotted in fibrous 

 peat, loam, and chopped sphagnum, with abundant 

 drainage and silver sand, the pseudo-bulbs well 

 above the soil — or, of course, leaf-mould, on the 

 Belgian system. Pans are best for eii'ect. But 

 after this operation, unless the compost be very 

 dry, they need no water until the young roots are 

 well established, a condition proved by the appear- 

 ance of the new leaves. When the time for water- 

 ing arrives, however, it must be given very freely. 

 They will not bear to be dried while growing. 

 Liijuid manure twice a week suits them, but much 

 diluted. 



In a damp house and a shady position they ask 

 no water at all from the moment that the leaves 

 begin to wither. No rule can be laid down on 

 this point, beyond the broad principle that the 

 pseudo-bulbs must not be allowed to shrivel. 



The flower is single and large, opening at the 

 tip of a very short spike. It pushes through the 

 soil, as has been observed, at the base of the old 

 pseudo-bulb. 



Headers will perceive that these are not plants 

 to cultivate singly. Though large and gorgeous 



209 P 



