7 o 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



A. Lobbi (also known as A. multiflorum Lobbi, in 

 commemoration of a very successful orchid collec- 

 tor). — A closely-leaved plant, bearing long, many- 

 flowered pendant spikes of richly-tinted blossoms ; 

 segments spotted rich amethyst. Moulmein, 1851 

 (h). 



A. ODORATUir. — This is the oldest species and the most 

 generally cultivated. A medium grower, flori- 

 ferous, racemes semi-pendant, white, tipped with 

 rose-purple. India, Cochin China, 1800 (h). 



A. QTJiNQUEVULNERUM. — Much resembles the last- 

 named, but each segment has five crimson spots 

 upon it, from which the species takes its name. 

 It produces very long, graceful racemes. Philip- 

 pine Islands, 1837 (h). 



A. suavissimtjm. — A strong growing, free-flowering 

 species, with pale green foliage, and racemes of 

 great length. In form the flowers are much like 

 those of A. odoratum, the colour varying, usually 

 pale lilac on the outer segments; lip yellow in 

 front, with a rosy-purple suffusion. Straits of 

 Malacca, 1848 (h). 



A. v and arum . — Distinct from all other species here 

 described, having cylindrical leaves, and spikes of 

 white flowers ; sepals and petals reflexed, Hp 

 spurred, toothed in front. The most satisfactory 

 method of culture is to affix the plant to a piece 

 of tree-fern stem, and grow in a moist, shady 

 corner. It is found on the Sikkim Himalayas, 

 and likes more air than most kinds. 1857 (i), 

 Fig. 34, page 68. 



ANGRJECUM. 



The majority of this genus are dwarf distichous-leaved orchids, mostly bearing white 

 flowers ; a characteristic of many of them is an elongated spur to the lip, this in 

 some of the kinds being a very remarkable feature. The large growing members of the 

 genus will thrive under similar conditions to those described for Aerides, but they like 

 even more sun than these, and if there is a dry warm corner of the East Indian house 

 where other species do not succeed, such kinds as A. sesquipedale and A. eburneum 

 may do so. 



The small growers referred to require careful management, thriving best suspended 

 from the roof, or on a very light stage in small pans or baskets, in a hot, moist house. 

 Clean, freshly gathered sphagnum moss and nodules of charcoal and crocks form the best 

 compost, and great care is required in fixing the plants in position so that they cannot 

 rock about. Eoot moisture must be freely applied all the year round, but the more 

 active the growth the more water will be needed. Syringing or sponging may be 

 practised in bright weather, but must be discontinued when dull or wet days occur in 

 summer, and entirely in winter. 



Eepeesentative Species. 



Angr^cxim artictjlattjm. — A neat dwarf species, 

 the foliage wedge-shaped, about 6 inches long, 

 the spikes having the flowers arranged in a two- 

 ranked manner ; the spur of the lip white, the 

 sepals and petals creamy white. Madagascar, 

 1870 (h). 



A. CATJDATtnr. — This is now rare in gardens, though 



formerly plentiful. A closely-leaved plant, pro- 

 ducing spikes from the upper portion containing 

 several flowers ; the spurs, 9 inches in length, pale 

 brown, as are the sepals and petals; lip pure white. 

 Sierra Leone, 1834 (h). 

 A. citratum. — A lovely dwarf species not usually 

 exceeding 5 inches in height, but producing 



