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THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



freely in three parts Sphagnum 

 Moss to one part of peat. 

 Such Epidendrums as E. atro- 

 purpureum, E. Endresi (a 

 lovely species, the flowers 

 pure white with the exception 

 of a few violet spots on the 

 lip and column), E. falcatum, 

 E. inversum, E. nemorale, 

 E. prismatocarpum, E. radia- 

 tum, E. Sceptrum, E. Stam- 

 fordianum, E. Wallisi, and 

 the two pretty hybrids E En- 

 dresio-Wallisi and E. ele- 

 gantulum, may also be planted 

 in the same compost. The 

 taller - growing Epidendrums 



to ' CCELOGYNE CRIST AT A. 



should be placed in pots, and 



tor the dwarfer Kinds shallow pans that may be suspended to the roof are more suitable. 

 E. vitellinum majus is a popular species, so desirable for the bright orange scarlet colour 

 of its flowers. It should be grown in a rather light dry position, where it may 

 obtain plenty of fresh air at all times. The beautiful white E. bicornutum requires hot 

 treatment, and grows best in shallow baskets hanging up close to the roof glass. 



One of the most beautiful of the Miltonias is M. vexillaria, a beauty so great as to 

 earn for it the well-merited title of the " Queen of Orchids." There are many varieties 

 of this species, the colour of the flowers varying from rose carmine to almost white. Its 

 nearest relatives are M. Endresi, M. Roezli, and M. Phalasnopsis, which are distinguished 

 by their light greyish green foliage and large flat Pansy-like flowers. Other Miltonias which 

 are quite distinct in appearance and in the colour of the flowers are M. bicolor, M. Binoti, 

 M. Candida grandiflora, M. cuneata, M. Clowesi, M. Moreliana, M. Peetersiana, M. Regnelli, 

 M. Russelliana, M. Schroderiana, M. spectabilis, and M. Warscewiczi. As regards culture, those 

 that have pallid pseudo-bulbs and foliage should be grown in a compost consisting principally 

 of Sphagnum Moss (a little peat and sand may be added to it), while the potting material 

 for the other species should be just the reverse. All of them will grow either in pots or 

 pans, which should be filled to quite three-fourths of their depth with drainage. During 

 growth Miltonias require a liberal supply of root moisture, but when at rest very little is 

 needed. Repotting should be done immediately the plants begin to push up their new 

 growths. During winter these plants should be grown in the coolest part of this house, 

 but in very hot weather the temperature of the cool house agrees with them best, where 

 they should have abundant light without actual sunshine. Platyclinis (Dendrochilon) 

 filiform is when well flowered is very pleasing. Its elegant thread-like yellow racemes are 

 very pretty. Although a native of the hot climate of the Philippine Islands, it will thrive 

 luxuriantly when suspended in a shallow pan in a damp shady corner of this house. It 

 must at all times be kept moist at the root, and requires abundance of water when the 

 flower spikes appear. It flowers in July and August. The silvery spring-flowering 

 P. glumacea, also P. Cobbiana and P. uncata, will flourish under the same conditions. One 

 of the most beautiful of Mexican Odontoglossums is O. citrosmum, its long pendulous 

 racemes being very attractive, and the varieties vary considerably from pure white to 

 several distinct shades of rose, some of a pretty buff colour, and spotted with pale lilac. 

 Owing to the drooping habit of the inflorescence, basket culture is most suitable for the 

 plants, as when suspended from the rafters the flowers can be seen to the best advantage. 



