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THE ORCHID REVIEW. [November, 1904. 



a decided improvement from a decorative standpoint. The shape of the 

 flower is very good, and the strongly ciliate and handsomely spotted petals 

 render it very effective. 



THE AMATEUR'S COLLECTION. 



In continuing the list of Intermediate-house Orchids suitable for an 

 Amateur's collecti< in, we may commence with the beautiful Lycaste Skinneri, 

 which is now making a good show. It is a plant of the easiest culture if 

 properly treated, and its large wax-like flowers are very effective during the 

 winter months. They vary considerably in colour, through various shades 

 of pink and blush, down to the pure white of L. S. alba, which variety is 

 invariably a great favourite. If repotting is necessary this should be done 

 in the spring, just as the plants start into new growth, after which they 

 should not require disturbing for two or three years. The pots should be 

 well drained, and the compost may consist of fibrous peat, loam, sphagnum 

 moss, and some oak or beech leaves in flaky condition. The proportions 

 vary somewhat according to the character of the ingredients, but there 

 should be sufficient fibre to keep the compost fairly open, or there is a 

 danger of its becoming sodden. Great care should be exercised in watering, 

 even when growth is active, and during the resting period very little water 

 is required. L. Deppei and L. aromatica succeed under the same treat- 

 ment, and produce flowers abundantly in the spring after a good rest. The 

 latter species has deep yellow, very fragrant flowers. 



Cymbidium eburneum is a free-growing Indian species, which produces 

 large waxy white fragrant flowers with a band of yellow on the lip. It 

 should be grown in well-drained pots, in a mixture of fibrous loam and peat, 

 with a little sharp sand or broken crocks to keep it open. It has rather 

 large fleshy roots, and requires larger pots than many other Orchids. The 

 compost should not extend beyond half-an-inch below the rim of the pot, so 

 as to allow space for watering. It is a plant which gives no trouble 

 in this respect, as it simply requires water when dry, and if placed in a 

 a cool and shady part of the house will thrive and grow into a fine specimen. 



Sobralia macrantha and S. xantholeuca are rather large plants, but if 

 space can be afforded they should find a place in the Amateur's collection, 

 as they are easily grown, and produce numbers of large Cattleya-like flowers, 

 bright rose-purple in colour in the former species, and yellow in the latter. 

 And there is a most beautiful albino of the first named, called var. Kienasti- 

 ana or alba. Although the individual flowers do not last long they are 

 borne for a considerable period in succession. They should be grown in 

 well-drained pots, in good turfy loam, with a little coarse sand or charcoal 

 to keep the compost open. They should be potted firmly, and provision 



