u6 THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



be potted in fresh sphagnum moss and peat in equal proportions, using small pots, 

 thoroughly drained. The Mexican and Guatemalan species like rather more warmth 

 than the coolest house affords, and may, if no intermediate temperature is at command, 

 be wintered in the Cattleya house. Only one species— 0. citrosmum — needs drying off, 

 though the singular and distinct 0. Londesboroughianum requires little water, and 

 plenty of sunlight when at rest. The remainder must be well watered while growth is 

 active, and have sufficient moisture to prevent shrivelling during winter. 



Though Odontoglossums are very floriferous, and the blooms last for a considerable 

 period, it is a mistake to allow weak or badly established plants to flower too freely, or 

 carry the blossoms too long, as this is very weakening. The compost should be used in 

 a rough, open state for all, but especially for those having large roots, such as 0. grande, 

 O. Insleayi, and 0. Schlieperianum, the pots for these, too, being somewhat larger than 

 for the generality of kinds. 



Representative Speciks. 



Odontoglossum Andersoniantjm. - A variable spe- 

 cies, some forms being of medium quality, but 



Fig. 60. OdontogloSjUm Cervaxtesi decorum. 



others of great beauty. It is doubtless of hybrid 

 origin, and its suggested parents are 0. crispum 

 and O. gloriosum. New Grenada (c). 



O. ASPERSUM. — A very beautiful Odontoglot, and 

 possibly a hybrid. Sepals and petals yellow, the 

 former heavily spotted ; lip white. Mexico (c). 



0. baphic antum . — Flowers pale yellow, with purple 

 blotches. New Grenada, 1876 (c). 



0. bictoxense. — An old, not very showy, but interest- 

 ing species, and the first Odontoglot introduced. 

 Flowers yellow, with rosy-lilac heart-shaped lip. 

 Guatemala, 1835 (/). 



0. bland TIM. — A lovely small-growing species. Flowers 

 white, spotted with purple. New Grenada, 1871 (c). 



0. Cervaxtesi. — A most beautiful little plant. Flowers 

 white, transversely streaked with chocolate-red. 

 A charming variety named decorum is represented 

 in Fig. 66. Mexico, 1847 (c). 



0. cirrhosum. — Flowers on beautiful arching spikes, 

 pure white, with spots of crimson or maroon. 

 Ecuador, 1875 {<:). 



0. citrosmum. — A fine popular kind, bearing pendant 

 spikes of whitish flowers, with a variously tinted 

 lip. Guatemala, 1840 (t). (Note. — This species 

 should be strongly grown in baskets or suspending 

 pans. When the pseudo-bulbs are quite complete 

 a long dry rest is necessary, and even if the 

 pseudo-bulbs shrivel, it does not matter, as they 

 soon plump up again. As soon as the young 

 spike shows itself in the centre of the new growth, 

 water must again be gradually supplied.) 



0. coxstrictum. — Not very showy, but worth grow- 

 ing; yellow, spotted with reddish-brown. La 

 Guayra, 1843 (c). 



0. Coradinei. — Flowers pale yellow, blotched with 

 chestnut-brown. New Grenada, 1872 (c). 



0. CORDATUM. — Easily grown, variable species, usually 



