THE ORCHID GENERA 



Aerides 



The genus of Aerides is spread generally over the 

 Indo-Malayan region. They are handsome epiphytal 

 Orchids with erect stems, on which the foliage is 

 arranged distichously, the elegant drooping racemes of 

 wan, fragrant flowers, with the lips prolonged into 

 curved spurs, being always greatly admired. The follow- 

 ing species require the temperature of the East Indian 

 house : A. crassifo/ium, A. crispum, A. Hoidletianum, A, 

 Lawrenca, and its yellow-tinted variety, Sanderiana, A. 

 Lobbii, A. maculosum, A. odor at um, A. quinquevulnerum, A, 

 suavissimum, and A. Larpenta. A few kinds as A. 

 Fieldingii, A. affine, and A. rubrum> coming from high 

 altitudes, should occupy a shady corner of the Cattleya 

 house, and A. japonicum of the cool house. Aerides 

 should be grown in pots, as they are more easily 

 managed, and the roots suffer less injury than when 

 baskets are used. Like other Orchids, they should 

 never be subjected to the root disturbance inseparable 

 from repotting oftener than is really necessary. Only 

 those that from various causes have lost a number of 

 their bottom leaves, or which have insufficient pot room, 

 should be repotted. Pot them as advised for imported 

 plants ; healthy specimens should have the old sphagnum 

 moss removed from the surface and replaced by new. 

 January and February are the best months for repotting 

 these species. Aerides thrive well in leaf soil, and pro- 

 duce vigorous vegetation, but unfortunately they do not 



23 



