THE ORCHID REVIEW. 281 
with new. The baskets or other receptacles should only be dipped when 
the moss has reached a state of dryness, and if any watering be done 
previous to this, it should only be the crocks and lower bars of the baskets 
that should be wetted. The leaves should be sponged with tepid rain water 
frequently to keep them free from dust and dirt, and thus give them a 
chance of doing their work properly. P. violacea, speciosa, Lueddemanniana, 
Mariz, Boxallii, Mannii, cornu-cervi, &c., are all more or less in a state of 
activity, and should be treated accordingly. Speaking generally, these 
require more shade and moisture than the first-named section, though if other 
conditions, such as air and temperature be not right, it is an easy matter 
to give these too much of the former also. P. Esmeralda is now in bloom, 
and will not need much water after the spikes are cut off, the 
moisture in the house satisfying the needs of this to a great extent. 
P. Lowii is the worst of the whole genus to grow and keep in a satisfactory 
condition. We have a small piece here that has been on a raft for about 
seven years, laying on the ashes on the stage, and where it sometimes has 
no leaves and at other times two or three. However, it usually produces 
a few flowers in season. It is a delightful species when seen at its best, and 
I well remember a fine specimen that existed in the Kew collection some 
ten years ago, growing on a flat piece of board, and on one particular 
occasion it produced a branched spike upwards of fifteen inches in height. 
I am afraid that one would look for it in vain at the present time. It 
evidently relishes a large amount of moisture during the growing season 
and afterwards a long and somewhat dry resting period similar to: 
P. Esmeralda, both being to a certain extent deciduous in their native 
habitat. 
The magnificent and floriferous Dendrobium Phalznopsis is now about 
to flower on this season’s growths, everything having been favourable to the 
production of large and well developed pseudobulbs, which should in turn 
produce strong many-flowered scapes. A fair amount of water will still 
be required by these until the flowers are over, when the commencement of 
a long and complete rest should commence. No shading will be required 
for these plants from now, nor in fact on any of the Dendrobes, without it 
be for an hour or so during the hottest part of the day in the early part 
of the month. Associated with the above are the variety Statterianum, 
and the allied D. bigibbum. The grand white-flowering D. formosum 
giganteum is producing its blooms on the early made bulbs, and should 
be treated like the fore-mentioned; those not in such a forward state must, 
however, be more plentifully supplied with water. D. densiflorum, 
thyrsiflorum, and Farmeri, should, as they finish up their bulbs, be 
removed to a light and airy spot in the Cattleya or similar house. 
The gorgeous-coloured and much sought-for Cattleya Dowiana aurea 
