THE ORCHID WORLD. 
SOME HOT HOUSE ORCHIDS FOR AMATEURS. 
AT this season of the year very little 
difficulty will be experienced in main- 
taining a sufficiently high tempera- 
ture for the well-being of this class of 
Orchid. It IS the winter-time which brings to 
the test the heating apparatus and the correct 
construction of the house. Unless the con- 
ditions are favourable the Amateur is not 
recommended to attempt the culture of tropi- 
cal plants v^'liich, although they may grow 
well during the summer time, only cause 
trouble and disappointment in the short days 
of winter. 
However, there are many who have a well 
arranged and suitable house, and who may 
obtain considerable enjoyment from a few of 
the species which are obtained from such 
places as Java, Borneo, the Philippine Isles, 
and Central America. 
In England the growing season may be 
said to commence in the month of March and 
extend to the end of September, during which 
time the temperature by day should not fall 
below 70 degrees, with a few points less at 
night time. On bright days the plants will 
be greatly benefited by the temperature 
rising to 80 degrees, or even more, but care 
must always be exercised in shading the 
plants against the hot rays of the sun, or 
scorching of the leaves will probably result. 
During winter time, if the atmosphere of the 
house be kept in a somewhat drier condition, 
a drop in the temperature to 65 degrees for a 
few days will do no harm. 
Oncidium Papilio, perhaps better known as 
the Butterfly Orchid, is always interesting, 
and if the long slender flower spikes are 
allowed to remain, the flowers follow one 
another for a considerable time. The plants 
are best grown on a block of wood, which 
must be kept very moist, or in a small pan or 
basket. Oncidium Kramerianum is even 
better than the preceding, from which it may 
be distinguished by its knotty-jointed flower 
spike. It is a native of Central America. 
Angraecum sesquipedale, sometimes known 
as the " Comet Orchid," is very remarkable. 
It is a native of Madagascar, and the long 
tail of its flowers is frequently 14 inches in 
length. An illustration and description of it 
appeared on page 10 of the present volume. 
Peristeria elata comes from Panama, and 
on account of the very remarkable resem- 
blance which the central part of the flower 
has to a dove it is frequently spoken of as 
the Dove Orchid. The plant requires a 
large house, the leaves being about four feet, 
and the flower spikes nearly five feet in 
height. It is best grown in fibrous loam and 
peat. 
Cattleya Dowiana is found in Costa Rica. 
It is one of the most gorgeous Cattleyas in 
cultivation, and should be in every collection. 
Although it may frequently be found growing 
well in an ordinary Cattleya house, it is, 
nevertheless, much benefited by a slightly 
higher temperature. The flowers are large, 
of a golden-yellow colour, the sepals and 
petals being frequently flushed with purple, 
the lip being crimson-purple, streaked with 
gold. 
Cattleya aurea is very similar to the above, 
but without the crimson flush on the petals. 
It is collected in Colombia. 
The Phalaenopses almost require a house 
to themselves, but may be grown with con- 
siderable success in a portion of the hot- 
house, so long as their requirements, which 
consist chiefly of abundance of moisture and 
shade, are not forgotten. The two finest 
species are amablis and Schilleriana, the 
latter species having beautiful marbled leaves 
which are always admired. A special article 
dealing with many of the Phalaenopses may 
be found on page 27 of this volume. 
Oncidium pulchellum. The branching 
spikes of this Orchid carry numerous small 
white flowers, slightly flushed with rose, the 
lip having a yellowish spot in front of the 
crest. It usually flowers in the early summer, 
and when it is remembered how many of the 
Oncidiums have yellow flowers it will be con- 
sidered very distinct, especially as the plant 
is without pseudo-bulbs. 
