ORCHIDS AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTS 69 



are best grown in peat, put in as small pans as possible, 

 and suspended in the hottest house, and kept moist from 

 the time the young shoots start to when the stems are 

 fully plumped up, when watering should gradually 

 cease and the plants placed in a greenhouse fully exposed 

 to sun. 



Odontoglossum pulchellum has pure white, small, but 

 very fragrant flowers, on spikes 18 inches high, accom- 

 panied by graceful grassy-looking foliage. Very useful 

 and, like O. Rossi majus, another useful greenhouse 

 orchid, should not be dried at any season. 



The scarlet Sophronitis grandiflora is best grown in 

 small hanging baskets or pans, which should be hardly 

 bigger than the plants, which are dwarf and evergreen, 

 and require watering at all seasons. The highly-coloured 

 flowers, 3 inches across, of this warm greenhouse plant, 

 are very effective in winter. The most curiously coloured 

 of popularly grown orchids is 



Zygopetalum Mackayi, with spikes a couple of feet or so 

 in height, the flowers showing a singular combination 

 of yellowish-green, brown, and purple. When growing, 

 a warm greenhouse is suitable ; give but little water 

 when at rest. Is a strong growing orchid, requiring a 

 compost of turfy loam and peat. Its flowering season 

 is often uncertain and variable. 



Other useful orchids are Masdevallia tovarensis, with 

 curious and profuse white flowers, thrives under Odon- 

 toglossum treatment, and is useful for variety. Stenoglottis 

 longifolia^ and its white-flowered form, are handsome 

 orchids, requiring loam, frequent watering throughout 

 the year, and a warm greenhouse. 



Ornamental Fruited Greenhouse Plants 



The Otaheite orange is the finest of these. Plants can 

 be obtained in autumn, well set with small fruit, and 



