﻿November, i 9 c 4 .] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 



PLEIONES. 



The Pleiones, or Indian Crocuses as they are sometimes called, are of 

 easy culture, and few, if any, of our smaller growing Orchids are more 

 beautiful when well grown. Considering the large number of flowers they 

 produce at a dull season, and the beautiful effect afforded when they are 

 used for decorative purposes, space should be allowed for them in every 

 collection. 



The flowers of this Orchid keep long in good condition when used 

 for room decoration, neither the dry air nor lack of light affecting them or 

 the plants; in fact, the growths always seem to break away stronger after 

 their short rest in the dwelling house. Pleione flowers are also useful for 

 button-holes, and they are easily gathered by giving them a gentle pull, 

 when the stem will readily part from the base of the growths, and will be 

 much longer than when cut. 



By the time this note appears in the Orchid Review such varieties 

 as P. maculata, P. lagenaria, P. concolor, P. precox, and P. Wallichiana 

 will be going out of bloom, and the cultivator will observe that those 

 green shoots from the centre of which the blooms have sprung will, under 

 proper treatment, develop into strong flowering pseudo-bulbs, ultimately 

 producing three or more flowers. 



As soon as the flowers have faded, the new shoots will already have 

 produced from their base a number of small white roots, and as these roots 

 lengthen rapidly, no time should be lost in affording them fresh material 

 to run into. If the operation is delayed till the roots advance somewhat, 

 many are certain to be injured, as they are easily broken when handled. 

 Whether ordinary flower pots or those shallow pans that are in general 

 use be preferred, sufficient drainage must be afforded to permit the 

 passage of the large quantities of water these plants require when in full 

 growth. Cultivators who prefer to grow the plants suspended from the 

 roof, will find pans the more convenient receptacles. At least one half of 

 the pot or pan should consist of broken crocks, and over these it is 

 necessary to place a thin layer of moss, so that the compost may be kept 

 moist, and to prevent its sifting through the drainage. Turn the pseudo- 

 bulbs out of their pots, and shake off most of the stale soil, cutting off all 

 roots which are dead. Instead of dividing the bulbs, it is advisable to 

 repot them in clumps, the pseudobulbs almost touching each other. Pots 

 or pans 8 or 10 inches in diameter, which will hold about 18 or 20 bulbs, 

 will generally be found very useful sizes. The potting material is best 

 composed of equal parts of fibry loam, peat, and chopped sphagnum moss, 

 well mixed with a moderate quantity of broken crocks, and coarse silver 

 sand. Over the layer of moss the pot should be filled to within an 



