DISA—EPIDENDRUM. 



101 



disa. — An interesting genus of terrestrial or ground orchids, about half-a-dozen 

 kinds of which are in cultivation. They all require quite cool treatment, and should be 

 potted in peat fibre and chopped sphagnum moss. The size of the pots used must be in 

 accordance with that of the plants. They are easily propagated when healthy by means 

 of buds from the root stocks, but they are not so easy to cultivate as many other 

 orchids. A liberal supply of water at the roots, frequent syringings, and a moist atmos- 

 phere are required in the summer, but much less moisture suffices in the winter. D. 

 Barrelli is a fine crimson variety of D. 

 grandiflora, which is the brightest and 

 most popular of all. Flowers large, reddish 

 orange, with rather tall scapes. Table 

 Mountain, 1825. D. crassicornis has 

 whitish flowers, spotted with purple, and 

 is rare in cultivation. South Africa, 1879. 

 D. graminifolia has narrow leaves and 

 blue flowers. Cape of Good Hope. D. 

 racemosa is more easily grown than D. 

 grandiflora and produces more flowers on 

 a spike. Eose crimson and yellow. South- 

 east Africa, 1887. D. tripetaloides is an 

 easily - grown species, producing white 

 flowers, tinged with pink and purple. 

 South Africa, 1889. D. Veitchi is a 



beautiful hybrid raised from D. grandiflora and D. racemosa, producing large and 

 richly coloured flowers. 1891. D. Clio is a new hybrid from D. grandiflora and 

 D. Yeitchi. The colour ranges from soft salmon-rose to brilliant scarlet. (Fig. 54.) 



Fig. 54. Dendeobium Clio. 



EPIDENDEUM. 



This is probably the largest genus numerically of all orchids, and is the one to which 

 Linnaeus referred all exotic orchidaceous plants. This led to much confusion in 

 nomenclature, but this is now much reduced. Epidendrums are extremely variable 

 plants, and though many are almost worthless, others are highly worthy of cultivation. 

 Their culture, in most instances, is not difficult. A noteworthy exception, however, is 

 found in E. bicornutum. The plants may make good progress for a few years after 



