THE ORCHID GENERA 75 



liable to damp off. When the spikes are up, every 

 assistance is needed by the plant to develop its flowers 

 and growths, and to this end liberal root watering should 

 be afforded. This species is from Madagascar, whilst 

 the others are distributed over the Malay peninsula and 

 archipelago. 



Habenaria 



There is an immense number of species belonging 

 to this genus, the majority being of botanical interest 

 only. It is a widely-distributed genus of terrestrial, 

 tuberous-rooted, deciduous Orchids. There are at least 

 five distinct varieties which are worth adding to any 

 collection. The brilliant scarlet H. militarise H. rhodo- 

 cheila, which is bright vermilion ; H. carnea, which has 

 large flowers of a delicate flesh-pink colour ; H. carnea 

 nivosa, having flowers equalling the last in size and of 

 pure white ; and the fine H. Susanna, with large snow- 

 white flowers, often over three inches in diameter, and 

 lips that are beautifully fringed. The proper time for 

 repotting these species is when the plants begin to grow, 

 generally in spring. The tubers then should be turned 

 out of their old soil and be repotted singly in small 

 pots, a crock being placed over the hole at the bottom 

 with the base of the tuber resting upon it, and the top 

 of the same just below the rim. Fill up around the 

 tuber to about half its length with clean crocks, and 

 over these place a thin layer of moss. Then fill up 

 with the following compost, just covering the top of 

 the tuber : — One-half good fibrous peat and loam and 

 one-half finely-chopped sphagnum, some finely-broken 

 crocks, and a sprinkling of coarse silver sand, the whole 

 being well mixed together. Pot moderately firm. The 

 plants should be grown on the shady side of the warmest 

 house, and it is important to have them as near to the 



