324 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Dendrobiums, Catasetums, Cycnoches (Swan Orchids), Calanthes, Schomburgkia, and 

 Cyrtopodiums thrive best where given a moderate amount of light always. The following 

 are well-known kinds : Aerides odoratum, A. suavissimum, A. Fieldingi, A. Schroderae, 

 A. quinquevulnerum, A. maculosum, A. Lobbi, A. Houlletianum, A. crispum, A. Larpente, 

 A. virens, and A. Lawrenceae, which all grow well in the ordinary flower-pot. The pots should 

 be quite three-fourths filled with drainage materials, the remainder being freshly-gathered 

 Sphagnum Moss. The large ivory white Angraacum sesquipedale and A. eburneum should be 

 potted in the same manner, but the drawf-growing AngraBCums, such as A. Ellisi, A. K' tschyi, 

 A. metallicum, A. modestum, A. arcuatum, A. fastuosum, A. citratum, A. articulatum, 

 A. Leonis, and A. pellucidum thrive best when grown in shallow pans or teak-wood baskets, 

 and suspended close to the roof glass in dense shade. All of the Saccolabiums, S. Blumei, 

 S. ampullaceum, S. curvifolium, S. giganteum, S. proemorsum, S. guttatum, S. violaeeum, 

 S. retusum, S. miniatum, and the charming little S. Hendersoni, should be placed in shallow teak 

 baskets, with cl^an-picked Sphagnum Moss and small crock's (about one half of each) to root in. 

 These Saccolabiums may be suspended by the s ; de of the small-growing Angraecums. The 

 beautiful Renanthera Lowi and R. Storiei are most satisfactory in pots, using the same kind 

 of compost. R. coccinea, R. matutina, Arachnanthe Cathcarti, and A. Clarkei, being of 

 scandent growth, should be trained to a birch pole, or, perhaps better still, a narrow upright rait 

 made of teak wood, around which the young roots cling tenaciously. When in full growth these 

 plants require shade, but at the end of the growing season they should be placed in nearly 

 full sunshine, in order to harden the new foliage and stems. 



Phalasnopsis are beautiful Orchids when well grown. All succeed best when planted in 

 shallow baskets, with only a very thin layer of Sphagnum Moss to root in. The following kinds, 

 P. Schilleriana, P. amabilis, P. grandiflora, P. Stuartiana, P. Sanderiana, P. leucorrhoda, 

 P. casta, and P. Esmeralda, should be suspended on the shady side of the house, but at the same 

 time they enjoy a moderate amount of light, while others, such as P. Marie, P. violacea, 

 P. speciosa, P. intermedia Portei, P. tetraspis, P. Sumatrana, P. cornu-cervi, and P. Luddeman- 

 niana, prefer a closely-shaded position at all times. A similar position is necessary for such 

 plants as Phaius tuberculosis, P. Wallichi, P. bicolor, P. Humbloti, P. Sanderianus, 

 P. Cooksoni, P. Martha?, P. Norman, Calanthe veratrifolia, C. masuca, P. Owenias, 

 P. Domini, and Phaio-Calanthe Arnoldia?. As they are strong rooting rather large pots are 

 necessary, into which place about 3m. of crocks for drainage ; the compos 1 : should consist of 

 fibrous loam, leaf soil, and Sphagnum Moss in equal parts, with a large proportion of small 

 crocks mixed w ith it to keep the material porous. Pot them as one would an ordinary 

 greenhouse plant. Galeandra Devoniana, G. nivalis, Grammatophyllum speeiosum, 

 G. Measuresianum, and G. Ellisi w i.l do thoroughly well either in pots or shallow pans, with equal 

 parts of peat and Moss to root in. Stand them when growing where they will obtain plenty of 

 light but no strong sunshine, whilst during the resting period they require as much sunlight as 

 possible. The above-mentioned Orchids should be carefully attended to at all times as regards 

 watering. Many anxious growers give their plants too much water after they have been 

 repotted, thinking that by so doing grow th and root action will be encouraged. The best and 

 most practical way is to give water very sparingly until young roots are seen pushing their way 

 through the compost, w hen the quantity should be gradually increased as each plant becomes 

 properly re-established. When in full growth, the plants should be thoroughly watered when 

 they become dry, taking care not to pour water into the centre of the plant or in the axils of the 

 leaves, otherwise probably decay will set in. When the season's growth is completed, 

 gradually withhold the water and apply no more direct to the plants than is absolutely 

 necessary to prevent the leaves from shrivelling. 



Taking the Cypripediums, or Ladies' Slippers, as a whole, they are among the easiest of 

 the Orchids to cultivate. The most popular of the warm-growing kinds are C. Stonei, 

 C. Sedeni, C. bellatulum, C. barbatum, C. Lawrenceanum, C. Morganke, C. Rothsehildianum, 



