38 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [ FEBRUARY, 1907- 
SOPHRONITIS AND ITS HYBRIDS. 
SOPHRONITIS consists of a small group of plants, for the most part native 
of Brazil. The finest of the genus is S. grandiflora, which produces a 
brilliant scarlet flower, from two to three inches in diameter, being very 
large when we compare them with the whole plant, which does not exceed 
four inches in height. There are two or three varieties. The one called 
rosea is a clear rose pink, with rather shorter bulbs and smaller flowers; 
purpurea is larger, and the flowers are carmine purple. Two other species 
in general cultivation are S. violacea, which is violet-magenta, and S. cernua, 
a small flowered plant, having cinnabar-red blooms. These little plants are 
easily grown, occupying a small amount of space, and make a bold show 
through the dullest months of the year. They thrive either in the cool 
house or among the Cattleyas, if suspended in well-drained pans about 
eighteen inches from the glass; but the importance of S. grandiflora is the 
fact of it being one parent of a series of beautiful hybrids. 
SOPHRONITIS HyBRIDs. 
One, Sophronitis hybrid, which stands out from all the rest, is Epi- 
phronitis Veitchii, a cross with Epidendrum radicans. The difference 
between the size of the parents is remarkable, the Epidendrum being six feet 
to seven feet high, and it was also the pollen plant. However, its influence 
is unmistakeable, and the hybrid is much dwarfed, attaining a height of from 
one to two feet. The flowers are increased in size, and are darker in colour 
than E. radicans. This plant succeeds best in pots, and may be grown on 
the stage or suspended ; if the latter method is adopted, fairly deep pans 
may be used instead of pots. An intermediate temperature should be 
provided, and when in full growth a gentle spray overhead occasionally will 
assist the plants and help to keep in check insect pests. Thrips are very 
troublesome, and a sharp look out is necessary at all times. The stems 
produce a lot of side shoots, which must be taken off and made up into 
separate néat little specimens, when the'stock maintains a tlean and healthy 
appearance. If this is not done they become shrivelled and starved, 
because the roots are too far off to get any nutriment from the compost. 
It flowers at different periods, but usually in the autumn, when the spikes 
are cut off. The plants should only be kept just moist until spring, and 
about this time the repotting is done, pulling the plants to pieces, and 
potting them up into the desired sized pot, or just taking off the top shoots 
and leaving the old plant until later. 
The other hybrids from Sophronitis bear a more or less similarity, but 
they are decided acquisitions, their rich colour and convenient size render 
ing them most suitable for buttonholes. Several are as yet extremely 
rare ; Sophro-cattleya Queen Empress,.the result of crossing C. Mossiz, is 
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