n6 THE BOOK OF ORCHIDS 



distinct varieties. These species should be grown near 

 the roof glass in a shady part of the intermediate house. 

 The sweet-scented T. fragrans may be grown in the 

 cool house. Shallow pans or baskets are more suitable 

 than pots, and a mixture of peat and sphagnum, with 

 good drainage, is the best compost for them, or leaf- 

 mould may be tried. At all times water must be care- 

 fully given, as the growths are extremely liable to 

 damp off ; when growth is completed, very little water 

 is required. 



Vanda 



The genus contains many handsome species, which in 

 structure resemble the Aerides, but there is much less 

 uniformity of habit among its members. Such varieties 

 as V. Bensoni, V, ccerulessens, V. conco/or, V. cristata, V. 

 Denisoniana, V. lamellata> V. Parishii, V. Roxburghii, and 

 V. Sanderiana should be afforded the same cultural routine 

 as that prescribed for Aerides. V. Sanderiana is a rather 

 stubborn species to cultivate ; I have found it to thrive 

 best when fastened to a teak-wood raft, suspended in 

 a hot, shady corner of the house, and its roots well 

 syringed several times daily. Those species which 

 require a shady intermediate temperature are — V. a/pina, 

 V. Amesiana, V. insignis, V. Kimballiana, V. tricolor, and 

 V. suavis. These also require the same kind of pot- 

 ting as Aerides. V. coerulea is a most popular species, 

 its light-blue flowers being always highly appreciated. 

 It is a mountainous species, growing on trees at eleva- 

 tions between 3000 and 4000 feet. Grow the plant in 

 a basket, and suspend it in the coolest part of the 

 Cattleya house, and near to a top ventilator, if possible, 

 so that it can have plenty of fresh air when practicable. 

 V, Hookeriana thrives best when trained up teak rods 



