THE ORCHID REVIEW. 27 
CULTURE OF LALIA ANCEPS. 
AN eminent Orchid grower having asked me several times to state how I 
have been so successful in flowering the white forms of Lelia anceps, I 
herewith do so. 
When calling upon M. Peeters, of Brussels, a few years ago, I was 
surprised to see how well he flowered his white varieties, and, in answer to 
my inquiries how he did it, he said he gave plenty of heat, and, in the 
growing season, no air in the day time, but he opened his house at 
night and syringed heavily. On reading travels in Mexico I found that 
where the white Lzlias grow it is terribly hot during the day, and for three 
or four hours in the evening it rains in torrents, while in the morning there 
was often hoar frost. I also found that the flowering period came with the 
dry season. This I have tried to imitate in Staffordshire, and again here, 
and with wonderful success. 
When the Lelias have fairly started to make their young growths I give 
plenty of heat, and in bright days no air and no shade; in dull days a little 
front air. I syringe very heavily from 3.30 to 4 p.m. every day, and again 
very early in the morning, and give plenty of air in front and a little at top 
about bed-time. After the growths are nearly full size, and the flower 
spikes about 12 inches high, I give front air continually, still keeping the 
hot water pipes warm; and a little top air is also given when in flower. 
This latter treatment is very similar to Cattleya treatment, only with a 
more generous use of air. I have had the leaves become yellow, and even 
scorched, through not shading, but plenty of soot and lime sprinkled under- 
neath the plants in autumn soon restores the green colour. 
I may say my greatest success was when I grew the plants in a house 
with bottom heat, and a layer of tree leaves over the bottom heat ; the pans 
or baskets being raised off the leaves or trellising. I find that Lelia anceps 
has a preference for baskets and very little peat, and, curiously enough, unlike 
Cattleyas, does not seem to care to be hung up to the roof glass, but rather 
prefers to be down on the staging. This year I have proved thoroughly 
that air is the real panacea for them, as a whole row of plants in the Lelia 
house here, right away from the influence of ventilators, have no flowers, but 
I hope to alter this next year. I may say that the plants here cover a space 
of 13 feet x 3 feet, and have 150 flower spikes—one row, however, as stated 
above, being without flowers. There is considerable variety among them 
and they form a most beautiful sight. 
JAMES HAMILTON. 
Manderston, Duns, N.B. 
