332 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



colour, except ihe margin of the lip, which is white. This Orchid may be grown on blocks of 

 wood or teak rafts, and fastened to them with cupper wire ; the blocks should be suspended 

 with the leaves downwards. A cool part of the ordinary greenhouse is the most suitable 

 position for this plant, and where it can receive the maximum light and air. The plant requires 

 little water at the root, the greatest quantity being applied when the flower scapes are 

 developing. 



In a cool shady corner of this (Cattleva) house such stately plants as Vanda suavis, 

 V. tricolor, and their varieties will grow freely. They should be potted and treated in the 

 same manner as previously recommended for Aerides. The proper season for root disturbance, 

 by repotting or top dressing, is during the month of October, as less foliage is likely to be 

 lust than when the operation 

 is carried out at any other 

 time of the year. One of 

 the essential requirements of 

 these Vandas is a cool moist 

 stage for them to stand upon, 

 and where their immediate 

 surroundings can be kept 

 fairly moist at all times. 

 V. casrulea may be grown 

 successfully in teak cylinders 

 or tall baskets, with charcoal 

 and crock's surfaced with 

 Sphagnum Moss to root in. 

 Suspend the plant close up to 

 one of the roof ventilators 

 where good light and fresh air 

 can be given. This Vanda 

 has large pale blue flowers, 

 and is held in high esteem 

 by all Orchid growers. V. San- 

 deriana is undoubtedly a 

 noble Orchid when in flower, 

 and should be grown with the 

 Aerides. After considerable 

 experience of this plant, 1 

 find that it grows best when 

 fastened to a teak raft without 

 an)' soil whatever, and sus- 

 pended close to the roof glass 

 in a moist but shady posi- 

 tion. Keep the raft and roots moist by syringing several times daily. The dwarf-growing 

 Pleiones, or Indian Crocuses as they are sometimes called, are amongst the brightest 

 and most distinct of all Orchids, and, as they produce a complete sheet of flowers 

 all open on a plant at the same time, are effective for decorations generally. The 

 kinds usually grown are P. maculata, the prettiest of the whole family, its pure white 

 sepals and petals contrasting finely with the white, yellow, and magenta lip. P. Lagenaria 

 has also ^always been in high repute amongst Orchid amateurs, its rose lilac flowers 

 and lip with purple streaks and blotches and w hite margin being very pretty. Other 

 desirable Pleiones are P. concolor, P. praecox, P. Wallichiana, and P. birmanica. These 

 little plants may be grown in shallow pans, and suspended on the lightest side of the 



DF.NDROHIUM DALH USEIA NUM. 



