158 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [May, 1910. 
DENDROBIUM PHALANOPSIS. 
A WRITER, ‘‘ Monmouthian,” in the Journal of Horticulture, thinks that the 
beauty and utility of this charming Orchid have not been fully recognised 
by gardeners in general, owing perhaps to poor cultivation and indifference 
to its needs where only a few have been grown, and the natural sequence, 
therefore, poor flowers. The flowers are borne in graceful sprays from 12 to 
18 inches, or even more, in length; the colours ranging from pure white, 
through all shades of pink to deep mauve, and lasting in good condition on 
the plant for six or eight weeks. A dinner table adorned with these flowers 
will evoke the admiration of the most fastidious. The needs of the plant 
being few and its cultivation fairly easy, anyone having to keep up a supply 
of flowers through the winter ought not to be without a batch of these. 
useful Orchids. When plants have finished flowering a long and decided 
rest is essential ; they should be placed in a light position near the glass, 
the temperature ranging between 55 and 60 degrees, and if in a house 
where a chink of air can be given on favourable occasions so much the 
better. Watering during the resting period is a very important matter, 
enough only being given to keep the pseudobulbs from shrivelling. By April 
growth will be commencing, and it will be better to move the plants to a 
warmer house, a shelf in the stove being a suitable place. When the 
growths are about three inches in length any potting or top-dressing may 
be attended to. A suitable receptacle is a small pan about four inches in 
diameter, and 14 inchesin depth. In these shallow pans a single hole in the 
bottom will be sufficient. Over this place a large crock and a layer of 
smaller ones. 
A compost in which we find them do well consists of two parts Osmunda 
fibre and one part sphagnum moss. The fibre must be clipped into short 
lengths to facilitate potting. The base of the plant should be just above the 
rim of the pan, care being taken to ensure the compost being pressed 
firmly around the plants, and not to injure the young roots during this 
operation. Potting will be better carried out piecemeal as the plants arrive 
at the proper stage of growth. During the growing period a high moist 
temperature is essential, slight shading during the hottest part of the day, 
and air admitted whenever possible, the house closed early in the afternoon, 
and a light spray overhead, are the conditions and treatment under which 
this Orchid will thrive. As soon as the spike appears at the apex of the 
growth the plants may again be moved tocooler quarters. Anyone who has 
seen a batch of these well-grown plants in flower cannot but be struck by 
their delicate colouring and usefulness. 
They flower in the autumn and winter, but unfortunately the flowers are 
sometimes injured by fogs in urban districts. 
