PHAL.ENOPSIS. 



87 



PHAL^NOPSIS. 



A small, but exceedingly fine genus, of not very large 

 plants, but bearing magnificent flowers of the most delicate 

 white. They are compact-growing plants, with rich, beau- 

 tiful, fleshy, evergreen foliage, and produce their spikes of 

 flowers from the axils of the leaves. No collection ought 

 to be without them, as they require very little room, and 

 are free as well as frequent bloomers. They require to be 

 grown in the heat of the East India house, with a Hberal 

 supply of water over their leaves and roots throughout the 

 summer season ; and even in winter they should always be 

 kept damp at the roots. Like the Aerides, they require 

 but little rest, and may be gi'own in pots with sphagnum 

 moss, in baskets with the same material, also on blocks 

 without moss, and thrive well under either treatment ; but 

 they require more attention when grown on blocks, as re- 

 gards moisture. These plants are difficult to increase, 

 being very shy in sending out young shoots ; but when 

 they do, the shoots should be left on the plant till they make 

 roots ; when they may be parted and placed on separate 

 blocks in the warmest part of the house, suspended from 

 the roof, and kept moist. 



PJialcBnopsis amahilis. — The queen of Orchids. This 

 magnificent plant comes from Manilla. . It produces its 

 graceful spikes of flowers nearly all the year round : the 

 flowers, each of which is three inches across, are arranged 

 in two rows down the spike ; sepals and petals pm'e white ; 

 the lip of the same colour, the inside streaked with rose- 

 pink. The flowers continue in perfection a long time, if 

 they are kept free from damp ; if the flowers get wet they 

 are apt to spot. 



Phal(B. grandiflora. — A truly handsome species from 

 Java. The flowers are produced in the same way as in 



