I Ob 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



[February, 1915. 



Odonloglossum citrosmum. 



flowers, which perfumed the air with their 

 (lehghtful fragrance. The stoutest branches 

 of the oaks were hterally loaded, and it was 

 a pleasure to see the profusion of flowers 

 produced by these [)lants, a single spike 

 bearing upwards of thirty expanded flowers. 

 During several days' march we noticed that 

 all the oak trees were clothed in this way by 

 the same Orchid, which flowers the more 

 freely it is exposed to the direct rays of 

 the sun." 



This species is l)est cultivated in tlic 

 (Jattle}'a house, or in a situation where it can 

 obtain abundance of light and be kept a 

 httle warmer than is usual for other species 

 of the genus. All Mexican Orchids are accus- 

 tomed to an abundant supply of fresh air, 

 and on this account care must be taken that 



ample ventilation is given. It will thrive 

 well in company with Laslia anceps, etc. 

 Very little water should be applied during the 

 resting season, but when the plant is making 

 rapid growth the compost should be kei)t 

 I airly moist. 



After the season's growth is completed it 

 will be found a good plan to suspend 

 the pot or pan from the roof of the 

 house, where it will receive ample light, be 

 less likely to be overwatered, and away 

 from the reach of slugs which eagerly 

 await the formation of the flower spike, 

 which is formed simultaneously with the 

 new growth. It is a great mistake to 

 tie the spikes up in an upright position, 

 their correct manner is gracefully hanging 

 oxer the edge of the pot, when they are 

 always attractive. 



I he varieties include album, roseum puiic- 

 tatum, sulphureum, and Rosefield, so quite 

 a small collection of this species alone can 

 be obtained. 



DeNDROBIUM SPECIOSUM. — This species is 

 a native of Australia, confined chiefly to the 

 neighbourhood of the east coast, where it is 

 frequent on the banks of streams from Port 

 Bowen southwards to Cape Howe. It was 

 one of the first Australian Dendrobe^ 

 introduced into British gardens, having been 

 sent to Kew in the spring of 1823 by Allan 

 Cunningham. The variety Bancroftianum 

 was sent from Brisbane by Dr. Bancroft, in 

 1881, to Mr. Christy, of Fenchurch Street. 

 The variety Hillii is also a Queensland form, 

 found in the neighbourhood of Moreton Bay. 

 It is dedicated to the late Mr. Walter Hill, 

 superintendent of the Botanic Garden, 

 Brisbane. It forms an excellent horticultural 

 subject, and when successfully cultivated 

 forms a striking object while in flower, which 

 usually occurs during the months of February 

 and March. Its racemes of creamy-white 

 flowers, with a few purple spots on the lip, are 

 amongst the largest and most massive yet 

 seen in the genus. 



