Monc'iiiIkt, igi^.] 
TH1-: ORCHID WORLD. 
43 
li<jht, and every aid and inducement given to 
them that they may all develop into perfect 
blooms. 
If the plants of the Selenepedium section 
require repotting they may be done at this 
season, using a compost sinnlar to that advised 
in previous numbers for the green-leaved 
Cypripediums. The plants must be caicfully 
watered until they become established, after 
which they delig'ht in being kept moist at all 
times. These plants, to a great extent, have 
lost their popularity, but there are many of 
much interest and worthy of cultivation. In 
many cases this section is grown in too much 
heat, a Cattleya house temperature will suit 
them admirably. 
Coelogyne cristata has finished growing, 
and some plants are pushing their flower 
spikes. During active growth thi.s most use- 
ful species requires considerable quantities of 
water at the root, but at the present time 
much less will suffice. If an insufficient supply 
DECORATIVE 
ONE is frequently at a loss to know how 
to cover up a pillar or conspicuous wa'l 
111 an Orchid house. Epiclendrums 
prove most useful subjects for this purpose, 
the long erect stems of some species growing 
to a height of ten or more feet, and besides 
being clothed with numerous small distichous 
leaves, they produce at their apex many 
flowered spikes of long lasting quality. 
Some of these flower-heads, especially those 
of hybrid Epidendrums, continue to produce 
blossoms for the long period of twelve 
months. Not so long ago, at one of the 
Temple vShows, Sir Jeremiah Colman exhibited 
specimens which were still producing blossoms 
from the identical flower- spikes shown at the 
same important event held the previous year. 
For a selection, the following will prove of 
value where tall growing specimens are 
required : — E. Cooperianum, a very beautiful 
species with racemes of pale olive-green or 
yellowish-brown flowers having a large three - 
lobed lip of bright rose colour ; E. evectum, a 
species with deep magenta-purple flowers and 
often proved to be a perpetual bloomer ; E. 
is given the flower spikes will fail to develop 
satisfactorily. 
Lycaste Skinneri. This useful Orchid will 
also be finishing its growth, and commencing 
to show^ its flower spikes. The plants should 
be kept fairly dry, but on no account must the 
bulbs be allowed to shrivel. Weak liquid 
manure is often recommended to be applied 
to this and the preceding Orchid, but if the 
plants have a sweet rooting medium and are 
in good health they will not require it. Many 
cases of disease are attributable to its use. 
General Remarks. The principal work of 
the month will be the cleansing of the houses 
and their inmates, and the general overhauling 
of the collection. Everything should be 
thoroughly done, so that by the time the 
spring is upon us we may be able to take 
advantage of it. One of the great axioms of 
plant culture is to do the right thing at the 
right time, in the right manner, and to do that 
thing thoroughly well. 
EPIDENDRUMS. 
Fredenci Guilielmi, very ornamental, the rich 
crimson flowers having white columns which 
give them the appearance of possessing white 
eyes ; E. paniculatum, with dark green leaves 
often spotted beneath with purple, and pro- 
ducing branched spikes of fragrant rosy-lilac 
blossoms ; E. radicans, rather shy flowering, 
but the bright orange-scarlet blossoms are 
continually produced from the same spike 
during a period of three months ; and E. 
Wallisii, a comparatively recent introduction 
with numerous sweet scented flowers of 
golden-yellow colour marked with small car- 
mine-crimson spots ; the flowers open during 
the months of October and November and 
last from three to five months in perfection. 
The best known Epidendrum hybrids 
include E. O'Brienianum, the result of crossing 
evectum with radicans ; E. Boundii, a hybrid 
of radicans and Burtonii ; and E. Endresio- 
Wallisii, the latter one of the most useful and 
popular hybrids. It was raised by Mr. Seden, 
and exhibited by Messrs. Veitch and Sons at 
the Royal Horticultural Society, January I2th, 
i8g2, when it received a First-class Certificate. 
