268 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



[September, igi^ 



VANDA AMESIANA. 



THIS is one of the most suitable plants 

 for inclusion in an amateur's collec- 

 tion, for not only is it extremely 

 pretty and sweet scented, but it is easy to 

 cultivate and grows well where the tempera- 

 ture is low and unsuitable for other species of 

 the genus. It was originally introduced by 

 Messrs. Low and Co., at first accidentally, but 

 subsequently by a large importation. It 

 IS a native of the Southern Shan States, 

 where it grows at 4,000-5,000 feet elevation, 

 generally on rocks fully exposed to the sun, 

 although occasionally on trees in partial 

 shade. 



In the dry season the plants are frequently 

 much shrivelled, which appears to do little 

 harm ; and, moreover, this may be of some 

 protective value, for the temperature some- 

 times falls so low that hoar-frost is formed 

 on the ground. From this we may gather 

 some idea of the treatment necessary to 

 produce satisfactory results when grown 

 under glass. No doubt a cool Odontoglossum 

 house will be found best, especially if a 

 portion can be reserved in which considerable 

 sunlight is allowed to penetrate without doing 

 damage to the other occupants. 



\^mda Amesiana is remarkable for the 

 unusual thickness and number of the aerial 

 roots produced from the lower part of the 

 stem. The white flowers are more or less 

 tinted with rose-purple, which varies in 

 intensity ; more than one pure white variety 

 has been discovered, although albino forms 

 still remain rare. 



This species is dedicated to the Hon. F. L. 

 Ames, of North Easton, Massachusetts, and 

 is largely grown where a supply of useful 

 decorative bloom is required. Excellent 

 results have been obtained by using only 

 broken crocks and moss as a rooting material, 

 although a good depth of drainage appears 

 essential. The amateur will probably f^nd 

 that the usual mixture of peat and other 

 fibres will answer better than only sphagnum 

 moss, which is rather liable to become sour 

 and rotten when an excess of water is 

 applied. 



V anda Amesiana. 



