132 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



healthy. Copious supplies of water are required during the growing season, but less 

 when the plants are at rest; syringing is seldom resorted to with advantage. The 

 following trio will suffice to begin with : S. Lyonsi. — Stems a foot high ; flowers 

 2 inches across ; sepals white, spotted with purple ; lip white, yellow and purple. 



Honduras, 1853 (h), S. Thomsoniana.— 

 Sepals and petals pale yellow ; lip purple 

 and white, prettily crisped. Honduras, 

 188G (//). And S. Sanderiana. — Spikes 

 very tall ; sepals and petals rosy-purple ; 

 lip rose veined deep purple. Tropical 

 America. (Fig. 82.) 



scuticaria steeli. — This is the only 

 species generally grown, but there are 

 several others in the genus. It is com- 

 monly known as the "Whip Orchid" 

 owing to the long, cylindrical leaves. The 

 plants succeed win n wired to large blocks 

 and hung in a hot, m oist, and light house. 

 Tree-Fern stems are the best for blocks, and moisture in abundance must be allowed. 

 Brazil, 1851 (//). 



sobralia. — A genus of orchids with tall reed-like stems, producing handsome 

 flowers that last a short time only in good condition. The plants thrive in a compost 

 of loam, peat, and chopped sphagnum moss in equal proportions placed in large, well- 

 drained pots. The strong roots require a good supply of water all the year round. The 

 species most generally cultivated are : S. leucoxantha. — Stems 2 feet high ; flowers 

 large; sepals and petals pure white; lip white, deepening to golden-yellow in the 

 throat; a lovely species. Costa Eica, 1885 (i). S. macrantha.— The best known n f r.ll. 

 Stems 8 feet or more high, the large flowers rosy-purple with a yellow throat. Of this 

 there are several varieties, including nana, very dwarf; Kienastiana, an albino, and 

 several others. Guatemala, 1842 (/). S. sessilis. — Stems 2 feet high; flowers white, 

 with a yellow and rose-tinted lip. British Guiana, 1840 (h). And S. Lucasiana. — White 

 tinged with rose ; lip soft rosy-purple ; very handsome. Tropical America. (Fig. 83.) 



sophro-cattleya. — A genus founded for the reception of hybrids between 

 Sophronitis and Cattleya, of which S. Batemaniana was the first raised. It is a cross 



iSciIOMUUKGKIA SaNDEKIaNA. 



