THE FLOWER GROWERS GUIDE. 



habenaria. — Many of the exotic species of this genus are very beautiful orchids, 

 but their culture is not easy. The growth appears in spring and after flowering dies 

 down, and during the winter the plants are apt to be forgotten. They should be kept 

 slightly moist and no more. There are several hardy and half-hardy kinds, these 



thriving well in a moist soil and shady 

 position. One of the most beautiful 

 of this section is our native H. bi- 

 folia, a plant that in moist shady 

 wood fills the air with fragrance in 

 June and July. The best of the 

 exotic kind are H. carnea, pink, 

 Singapore (Fig. 56); H. militaris and 

 H. Susannas, greenish-white, India, 

 1834. 



houlletia. — A genus of orchid 

 that deserves more general attention, 

 as the flowers are very elegant, and 

 the plant easily grown and propa- 

 gated. They are closely allied to 

 Stanhopea, and may be treated simi- 

 larly, except that they require less 

 heat. Three species are recommended 

 for cultivation, namely : H. Brockle- 

 hurstiana, a handsome and showy 

 kind, with reddish - brown spotted 

 flowers; Brazil, 1841 («). H. odora- 

 tissima, flowers large, purple with 

 a white lip; Colombia, 3 851 (c); and 

 H. picta, large flowers, cinnamon red, marked with yellow and purple; New Grenada (c). 



Fig. 56. Habenabia carnea. 



LiELIA. 



This genus includes some of the most beautiful of orchids, and is a justly popular 

 one. The affinity of Lcelia to Cattleya is shown by the fact that many fine hybrids 

 (Lselio-Cattleya) have been raised between the two genera. In habit Leelias vary a 



