THE ORCHID GENERA 



those which may have grown beyond the main mass of 

 the clumps, and which may be used for increase of 

 stock. The pots or pans used should be three parts 

 filled with drainage materials, over which should be 

 placed a thin layer of rough moss, then one of the pot- 

 ting material, upon which the base of the clump should 

 rest ; then fill up around firmly with a compost consist- 

 ing of equal parts of fibrous loam, peat, and sphagnum 

 moss, mixed with a moderate quantity of coarse silver 

 sand. For a few weeks after repotting, the plants 

 will require watering as advised for Calanthes. When 

 thoroughly established and the growths well advanced, 

 they will take almost unlimited supplies. After the 

 pseudo bulbs are matured and the leaves fall off, only 

 sufficient water should be given to prevent them from 

 shrivelling. When in full growth, Pleiones delight in 

 having the foliage occasionally well syringed under- 

 neath, which will assist growth and keep the leaves 

 clean and free from red-spider. The flowers are pro- 

 duced from small green shoots at the base of the pseudo 

 bulbs, and appear soon after the leaves fade. Pleione 

 flowers are easily gathered by giving them a gentle pull, 

 when the stems will readily part from the base of the 

 shoots, and will be much longer than when cut. 



Pleurothallis 



There are probably known to science nearly four 

 hundred species of Pleurothallis, natives of the mountains 

 of tropical America, at a considerable elevation. The 

 flowers of most of them are inconspicuous, but many 

 are of singular form and gem-like beauty, those generally 

 known and most appreciated being P. Grobyii, P. picta, 

 P. punctulata, P. Roez/ii, and P. macrolepharis. The cul- 

 tural treatment of all the species is the same as that 

 recommended for Masdevallias and Odontoglossums. 



