574 THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



European gardens. They are usually considered difficult subjects 

 to manage, but where they can be induced to grow satisfactorily 

 they are most attractive, and thoroughly repay for the trouble 

 incurred. When in blossom A. Cathcartii has flowers upwards 

 of 3in. in diameter, the sepals and petals pale yellow, crossed 

 with numerous wavy reddish-brown bands ; the front lobe of the 

 lip is pale yellow, and the side lobes are white streaked with 

 red. The most satisfactory conditions under which I have found 

 this species to grow are when attached to teak-wood cylinders, 

 using a compost of sphagnum intermixed with clean broken 

 crocks, giving the plants a position in the house where there are 

 constant moisture and condensation about them throughout the 

 year. A. Lowii is one of the most remarkable Orchids in 

 cultivation. It was discovered in Sarawak by Sir H. Low, by 

 whom it was introduced to this country. The habit of growth 

 resembles a gigantic Vanda, the leaves being from 24m. to 30m. 

 long. I have seen racemes of flowers on this species upwards 

 of 14ft. in length, with the flowers at short intervals from its 

 base to apex. The three lower flowers differ both in colour and 

 in shape from the others, and form a striking contrast ; the 

 sepals and petals are shorter, broader, and more fleshy than the 

 ordinary ones, bright tawny yellow with some brown dots 

 sprinkled over the surface. The ordinary flowers are 3m. in 

 diameter ; the sepals and petals are undulated, rich chocolate- 

 brown mottled with yellow ; the lip is yellow, lined and spotted 

 with purple. The temperature and treatment should be the same 

 as that recommended for Vandas. 



Vandas. — There are no more graceful plants to be seen in any 

 genera of Orchids than the common varieties of Vandas. A 

 house full of these plants is always an attraction, even when not 

 in flower ; and as they flower at different seasons of the year, 

 where there are sufficient numbers grown it would be difficult 

 to enter the house without finding something in blossom. They 

 are among the most tractable species to cultivate, and should be 

 grown to a far greater extent than they are at present. Vandas 

 require a temperature of from 68deg. to 7odeg. Fahr. fire-heat in 

 summer, with a rise of from iodeg. to isdeg. with sun-heat; 

 in winter a temperature of from 6odeg. to 65deg. Fahr. is 

 sufficient. During the growing season (March to October) they 

 require an abundance of moisture both at the roots and in the 

 atmosphere. In bright weather, and when the outside conditions 

 permit, free ventilation at the bottom is required. The top 

 ventilators must be used with judgment for all warm houses, 

 or the desired humidity of the atmosphere may not be 

 retained. It is far better to bring the roof - blinds into use 

 earlier than to have to resort to the use of the top ventilators. 

 During the other months of the year, with the lower degree of 

 temperature, very little moisture is required; in fact, only 



