CALANTHES. 



79 



They are grown in many places where stove plants, independent of orchids, are cultivated, 

 and thrive best in a compost of equal parts of peat fibre, loam, and chopped sphagnum 

 moss, enough finely -broken crocks and charcoal being added to insure porosity of the 

 whole and aeration. The pots may be of good size, or, say, allowing about 3 inches 

 clear of the plant, and must be quite half- filled with drainage material. There is no need 

 ^o elevate the plants above the rims ; give plenty of water while growth is free, and never, 

 in winter, allow the leaves or rootstocks to shrivel. The foliage is handsome on 

 well-grown specimens. Insects are often troublesome, especially red spider, and must 

 be kept under. 



The following species are mostly grown : C. Masuca. — Very fine, with spikes a yard 

 in height ; the flowers pale mauve with red markings. Northern India, 1842 (h). 

 C. natalensis. — Spikes of large flowers about a foot and a half high, the individual 

 flowers pale lilac. Natal, 1885 (h). C. Textori. — Spikes 2 feet high, the flowers 

 almost pure white, the lip being tinged with mauve and purple. Japan, 1877 («). C 

 veratrifolia. — The type species of the genus and the oldest known. Flower spikes tall, 

 bearing on the top a pyramidal column of pure white flowers. Distributed naturally 

 over an immense geographical area, 1823 (*). 



DECIDUOUS CALANTHES. 



These are among the most popular of orchids, largely grown for cutting and decoration. 

 The pseudo-bulbs should be potted, after the flowers are past, in suitable-sized pots, 

 either singly or as many together as will make a good specimen. Three medium-sized 

 pseudo-bulbs may go in a 6 -inch pot. Drain the latter thoroughly, and use similar 

 compost to that described for the evergreen kinds. Set the stems just deeply enough to 

 hold them steady, a little of the old root being left on to facilitate this. Give no water 

 until the young shoots are growing freely and commencing to root on their own 

 account. Then give a thorough soaking and gradually increase the quantity as 

 growth proceeds. Grow in a good clear light, shading as little as possible ; allow plenty 

 of room between the plants, and keep the foliage clear. The leaves turn colour and drop 

 off in the autumn, when again reduce the water supply. The plants may be used for 

 indoor decoration during their flowering season, but avoid standing them in cold 

 or draughty rooms and passages, for a low temperature is very injurious to them. 

 Besides those named below, there have been many grand hybrids raised by crossing 

 and intercrossing, but these are far too numerous to mention here. Sufficient to say 



