74 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



cramped, and care must be taken not to over- water at first, to sour the peat ; but this 

 must not by any means be allowed to become dry, while the atmospherical surroundings 

 ought to be kept moist. When the plants are rooting and growing freely, copious 

 supplies of water are necessary, afterwards gradually, and eventually considerably, 

 decreasing the supply. When the plants get too large for the pots they may be turned 

 out on observing signs of fresh growth, and if the divisions are carefully potted and 

 grown they will soon reach the flowering stage. India (h). 



bakkeria. — A genus of small- growing epiphytal orchids, sometimes grouped with 

 Epidendrums ; attractive when well grown, but rather difficult of cultivation. They 



will not thrive with a large mass of 

 material about the roots, and either 

 small pans, suspended from the roof, 

 or rough pieces of wood placed in 

 baskets, should be used for them. They 

 like abundant moisture, both at the 

 roots and in the atmosphere, and 

 during the summer months can hardly 

 be kept too cool. Give just enough 

 water to keep the stems from shrivel- 

 ling while at rest. The following 

 suffice for most collections : — B. ele- 

 gans. — A handsome and variable kind, 



the type being soft yet deep rose, 

 with a large crimson blotch on the lip 

 and several small spots (Fig. 36). 

 Mexico, 1837 (c). B. Lindleyana.— 

 Eosy-red spikes in the autumn. This 

 also has several varieties. Costa Eica, 

 1839 (c). B. Skinneri.— Stems about 

 6 inches high, peduncles many -flowered, 

 colour magenta, each flower \\ inches 

 across. Guatemala, 1835 (c). B. spectabilis. — A very fine orchid when well grown. 

 Pseudo-bulbs short, producing racemes of flowers, each about 3 inches across, rose- 

 coloured, spotted with purple. Mexico, Guatemala, 1835 (c). 



Pig. 



Baekeria elegans. 



