336 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



CATTLEYA LABI ATA VdRA. 



As each bloom fades another 

 opens, but those who study 

 the future health of the plants 

 should cut off each spike after 

 it has produced four or five 

 blooms. Grow Oncidiums, 

 ampliatum, Cavendishianum, 

 guttatum, hasmatochilum, 

 Lanceanu m , and 1 u r i d u m , 

 either at the hottest end of 

 this house or in a cool part 

 of the East Indian house, 

 choosing a position where it is 

 shady and moist. Other 

 kinds, as O. Altissimum, 

 O. aurosum, O. Brunleesi- 

 anum, O. chierophorum, 

 O. flexuosum, O. incurvum, 

 O. obryzatum, O. orn:- 

 thorhynchum, O. phyiruuo- 

 chilum, O. pulchellum, 

 O. reflexum, O. sarcodes, 



O. sessile, O. triquetrum, and O. Warscewiczi, thrive best in a shady part of 

 the intermediate house. O. bifolium, O. concolor, O. crispum, O. culcullatum, O. curtum, 

 O. dasytyle, O, Forbesi, O. Gardneriana, O. hastatum, O. lamelligerum, O. loxense, 

 O. macranthum, O. Marshallianum, (). nubigenum, O. Phalasnopsis, O. prsetextum, 

 O. serratum, O. spilopterum, O. superbiens, O. tigrinum, and O. varicosum should 

 be grown under the same conditions as the cool Odontoglossums. Experienced cultivators 

 who have grown these Oncidiums know what splendid spikes of bloom may be 

 obtained from the majority of the species enumerated, and they know, too, how easy 

 it is for the plants to overflower themselves, after which they gradually but surely 

 dwindle away. It is advisable, therefore, to cut away the spikes immediatelv the whole 

 of the flowers are open. These spikes, if placed in the cool house with their ends in water, 

 will retain their beauty for a considerable time. In the Stanhopea family we have a group of 

 plants characterised by the remarkable and singular shape of their flowers. A few of the most 

 beautiful are: S. Amesiana, S. devoniensis, S. eburnea, S. florida, S. insignis, S. Lowi, 

 S. Mastersi, S. oculata, S. Platyceras, S. tigrina, and S. Wardi. Stanhdpeas succeed in shallow 

 teak or wire baskets, suspended not far from the roof. Ordinary drainage is not required, 

 because the flowers, being produced on scapes that are quite pendulous, generally push their 

 way dow n into the compost, and either come out through the bottom or sides of the basket. 

 The compost should consist chiefly of Sphagnum Moss and fibrous peat, the last in the smaller 

 proportion. The proper time for supplying fresh rooting materials is when the plants are 

 starting into growth. Stanhopeas require abundance of water during the growing season, but 

 in winter very little will suffice to keep the bulbs plump and fresh. The Chimaroid Masde- 

 allias — most conspicuous being M. bella, M. Chimaera, M. Carderi, M. erythrochaste, M. gongora, 

 M. Nycterina, M. radiosa, M. Winniana, M. Backhouseana, and M. Wallisi — also pass their 

 flowers in a downward direction like the Stanhopeas, therefore basket culture is most suitable. 

 The plants must be kept moist the whole year round, dryness at the root or in the air proving 

 fatal. During winter the intermediate house is the proper place, but in summer the atmosphere 

 of the cool house will suit them better. This change of temperature is also suitable for such 

 plants as Odontoglossum grande, O. Insleayi, O. hastilabium, O. Krameri, and O. naevium. 



