268 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 



special occasions, and also to prolong the blooming period of each species. 



The Dendrobiums provide us many beautiful species worth}' of general 

 culture for the trade. D. formosum and D. Phalaenopsis are two of the 

 best Warm house species. The first-named, not unlike a large white 

 Cattleya, blooms during the fore part of winter. The other one, with 

 smaller, white, pink or rose-coloured flowers on long stems in rich profusion, 

 blooms from October to May. It pays well to grow these two varieties in 

 large number. D. Wardianum, with its white, yellow, brown, and rose- 

 coloured bunches of flowers, and D. nobile, with rose-coloured blossoms, are 

 two very distinct, useful, and desirable kinds. They need very nearly the same 

 treatment — lots of heat and moisture during the summer, and a cool and 

 dry place during their resting season in winter. These four are the best 

 and cheapest for commercial purposes, although there are lots of others 

 which may be grown with profit, for instance, D. crepidatum, crassinode, 

 Devonianum, densifiorum, fimbriatum, thyrsiflorum, and others. 



Vanda cosrulea is very useful for winter cutting, producing long 

 branched flower stalks, with delicate lavender-blue flowers. Because of 

 its colour it is very valuable for commercial purposes, it being the only one 

 of that shade. The temperature in the Cattleya labiata house is just right 

 for this Vanda, which succeeds best if planted in baskets suspended from 

 the roof— thereby economising bench room, so much needed for other things. 



Lselia anceps, autumnalis and albida, all Mexican species, are rich 

 flowering saleable sorts, which can be grown to advantage in baskets. 

 They demand a moderate temperature, and therefore succeed well in the 

 coolest part of the Cattleya house. 



Cymbidium eburneum gives a fine white flower of good substance and 

 form, and blooms in rich profusion. No doubt this plant will become very 

 valuable when better known. It has not yet been grown commercially to 

 a very great extent. It wants a moderate, airy temperature and plenty of 

 moisture about the roots. 



Ccelogyne cristata is a very fine white flower with a yellow centre. It 

 is said of this Orchid that it has not given full satisfaction. My experience 

 has been that if grown rather cool, and not allowed to become too wet, it 

 will bloom freely, and its right place is with the Cypripediums. It is 

 valuable for table decorations, and keeps, when cut, for a long time. 



The Phalaenopsis family contains several splendid species, all worthy o 

 commercial culture, and pays well when a warm, moist, and in all respects 

 suitable house is provided. P. Schilleriana, P. amabilis and P. Stuartiana 

 are among the best. 



Lycaste Skinneri is the best of its class, and good for the local market, 

 but easily spoiled in packing. Because of its easy culture, it has been called 

 the " amateur's favourite." 



