August, 1914.] 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



243 



Good Culture. — In the collection of Mr. 

 C. J. Lucas, Warnham Court, Horsham, is 

 a strong plant of Odontoglossum Doris 

 (crispum x Ossulstonii) which has just 

 produced a branching spike carrying no less 

 than 87 well-developed flowers. 



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Autumn Treatment. — Many summer- 

 growing Orchids have now completed their 

 season's growth and will need careful atten- 

 tion in the matter of ripening. A somewhat 

 drier atmosphere should be maintained, with 

 a proportionately lower temperature, m order 

 to prevent the commencement of a second 

 growth during the same season. Plants that 

 are properly ripened are able to withstand 

 much variation in the winter temperature, and 

 consequently are less liable to failure when 

 the next season of growth arrives. 



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LiSSOCHILUS AREXARIUS. — This is one of 

 several interestmg plants cultivated and 

 recently flowered by Messrs. J. and A. 

 McBean, Cooksbridge. The genus Lissochilus 

 comprises handsome terrestrial plants having 

 tall erect spikes of blocjm and plicate foliage. 

 The tuberous roots should be potted in a 

 mixture of loam, leaf mould and sand. 

 Upwards of thirty species are known, all 

 natives of Tropical and Southern Africa. 

 Although the genus has never l)cen a popular 

 one with Orchid growers, it is well worthy of 

 more attention. 



Si S| 



RenantheRA COCCINEA. — On November 

 3r(l, 1S46, the Royal Horticultural Society 

 awarded a Banksian Medal to Mr. Webster, 

 of Eartham Gardens, for a cut spike of 

 Renanthera coccinea. The following is a 

 copy of Mr. Webster's letter : " The plant 

 from which it was cut is growing upon a log 

 of wood covered with moss ; it was taken out 

 of a very moist and warm house about the 

 middle of June, and placed at one end of 

 a late peach-house, with its top nearly 

 touching the glass, the whole plant being 

 exposed to the full force of the sun. The 



house shortly afterwards was thrown open 

 day and night ; in this dry and airy situation 

 water was given every evening with a syringe, 

 and a flower-stem shortly afterwards made its 

 appearance. The plant has been growing in 

 the same exposed situation until the last three 

 weeks, when it has been removed to a warm 

 house. Although the spike is not so large 

 as it would have been in a more congenial 

 atmosphere, yet the flowers are not inferior 

 either in size or colour. As the plant became 

 reconciled to its cold, exposed situation, I 

 had the gratification of seeing six more 

 flower stems make their appearance, being in 

 all seven at one time upon the plant. These 

 are, of course, in a more backward stage, and 

 will not be in flower for some time. I am 

 inclined to believe that the Renanthera may 

 be made to flower while very young by 

 attending strictly to the plan of keeping the 

 top of the plant nearly close to the glass, 

 giving it full exposure and abundance of 

 moisture.'' 



U U 



Epiphytal Orchids. — J. C. Lyons was 

 one of the earliest writers on the treatment 

 of Orchids, and in 1845 he published a 

 practical treatise on the management of 

 Orchidaceous plants. " The epiphytal 

 species," he remarked, " may, as far as we yet 

 know, be divided into four classes. Their 

 native habitats will for the most part not only 

 sanction, but appear to require, such a 

 division, which is as follows: — i. Those 

 species found in low dense woods, where 

 scarcely any sun can penetrate. These, there- 

 fore, require shading from the rays of the 

 sun, cither by large plants in the house, or 

 creepers, or by some other means, and must 

 have a hot and moist atmosphere. 2. Those 

 species found growing on trees, near to open 

 brakes in the woods, where they receive a 

 little sun, plenty of light, and a free but damp 

 atmosphere. These should liave a similar 

 atmosphere, but will endure more sunshine 

 than the last. 3. Those species found 

 growing on single trees, in damp but exposed 

 situations. These must also have a damp 

 atmosphere and plenty of heat, but they 



