126 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



PHAL^NOPSIS. 



An important genus of very beautiful orchids, requiring careful culture. Many- 

 modes are practised, such as in baskets and pots, also on rafts and blocks, and all are 



more or less suitable. The strong- 

 est growers, such as P. amabilis, 

 P. Schilleriana, and others, are 

 best in ordinary baskets or pots ; 

 the smaller weaker-growing kinds 

 succeed best on blocks or in small 

 pans. One species, P. Lowi, seems 

 especially adapted for blocks owing 

 to its small stature; being deci- 

 duous in habit, it requires very 

 great care and not too much root 

 moisture in winter. For the 

 rest, more depends on a well- 

 balanced temperature, freedom 

 from draughts, and extremes of 

 heat or moisture, than on any 

 special treatment. 



Very little in the way of com- 

 post is needed, sphagnum moss 

 and charcoal sufficing. The roots 

 will not push into anything sour 

 or decayed, so the material used 

 should be of the best. Long 

 cylindrical baskets are often used 

 for the plants, and the roots run 

 over the rods and thrive ; but for 

 the stronger-growing kinds the free ramification of the roots about the crocks and 

 charcoal is the more satisfactory. 



Although phalamopsis delight in abundant atmospheric moisture, watering over the 

 foliage is not admissible. An occasional light dewing may do no harm, but it is better 



rig- r, 



PHALSXOrsl.s INTERMEDIA PoKTEI. 



