72 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



A. Scottiaxum.— Of a different habit to most others 

 in the genus ; the stems and leaves cylindrical ; 

 flowers 2 inches across on few-flowered peduncles ; 

 creamy white. The plant thrives well on a piece 

 of tree-fern stem, lightly mossed and fixed in a 

 flower pot. Comoro Islands, 1878 (h). 



A. sesquipedale. — A splendid orchid, growing erect, 

 upwards of a yard high, the stems clothed with 

 leathery green leaves. Eacemes few-flowered, the 

 blossoms large, of the purest white, with a spur 



to each over a foot in length. Eequires great 

 heat and abundance of light, the moss about the 

 roots being kept growing if possible. The largest 

 and best species in the genus. Madagascar, 

 1855 {h). 



A. Veitciii. — A valuable hybrid raised by Messrs. 

 Veitch & Sons from A. sesquipedale and A. super- 

 bum. The flowers, Fig. 35, are satiny white, 

 with medium spurs, and very beautiful. 



anguloa. — These are popularly known as Cradle Orchids, owing to the rocking 

 movement of the lips of many of the species. They should be potted in peat, loam fibre, 

 and chopped sphagnum moss, and need not be elevated above the rims of the pots. 

 Growth commences in early spring, and the blossoms appear in the centre of the young 

 shoots. They may be re-potted directly the flowers are past, before the young growths 

 commence rooting if possible. Give plenty of water when re-established until the 

 pseudo-bulbs are finished, then, as the foliage ripens and falls, reduce the moisture 

 by degrees until in midwinter the plants may be kept quite dry at the roots. 

 Insects of many kinds attack these orchids and must be carefully kept under. 

 The three species most worthy of cultivation are: — A. Clowesi. — Growth about 

 18 inches high; pseudo-bulbs roundish; flowers yellow, almost tulip-shaped, 

 very fragrant. Columbia, 1843 (c). A. Euckeri. — Habit rather smaller than 

 the last-named ; pseudo-bulbs very rough, deep green ; flowers brownish externally, 

 yellow inside, spotted with red. Columbia, 1843 (c). A hybrid, "A. media," 

 was raised between these species a few years ago, and this has also been imported. 

 A. uniflora, the oldest species in the genus, bearing white flowers, tinted with 

 rose-pink on the inside of the segment. Discovered in the eighteenth century. 

 Peru, 1843 (c). 



an<ectochilus. — A genus of orchids grown chiefly for the sake of their beautiful 

 foliage, but owing to the amount of care necessary for their culture they are not 

 recommended to beginners. The gradation of tints on the leaves, the lovely network 

 of crimson, silver, and gold, on many of the species is unequalled by that of any other 

 foliage plants, but few cultivators bring out their full beauty. To grow them 

 well, bell-glasses or a glazed case in a stove temperature are necessary, and the plants 

 should be grown in pots small enough to allow of being partially plunged in damp moss. 

 The best compost for them is finely broken crocks and charcoal, with a little peat and 

 chopped sphagnum moss. They are propagated by cutting through the rhizome and 



