14 



PAXTON'S FLO WEE GARDEN. 



growing on after the blooming is over. One great advantage from a cultural point of view 

 that the plant possesses over the great majority of Dendrobiums is the enduring character 

 of its flowers ; we understood that the Holloway plants, several of which have bloomed,, kept 

 their flowers quite fresh for six or eight weeks — a property that much enhances the value 

 of these, as all other cultivated plants. As we have already intimated, this is an 

 Australian plant ; and although those that have flowered have, we believe, been kept since 

 their introduction in a temperature such as usually is given to Orchids that are found to 

 succeed with a moderate amount of artificial heat, yet we very much doubt if this will 

 be found the right treatment ; for although under such conditions the old pseudo-bulbs 

 grown and matured in their native country will no doubt produce flowers, this is a very 

 different thing from the formation of new growth such as is calculated to produce flowers in 

 the quantity natural to the plant. Most of the species from the same country will grow 

 freely enough in the close moist atmosphere of our Orchid-houses, forming leaves and 

 bulbs even larger than in their native habitats ; but grown under such conditions, they lack 

 the solidity in texture indispensable to the free formation and development of flowers. It is 

 not through an excess of heat they receive when so managed that is the cause of their 

 being wanting in flowering capabilities, but the over-humid atmosphere, with insufficient 

 light and air, that thus enfeebles them. We think a warm greenhouse, with less atmospheric 

 moisture, more air, and still more light during the growing season, with comparatively cool 

 dry quarters when at rest, will be more in keeping with its requirements. In respect to 

 soil, it will doubtless do well in such material as is found to answer for the generality of 

 its now numerous congeners, for which well-drained pots, with a mixture of good fibrous 

 peat — having most of the earthy matter removed — to which is added a little chopped 

 sphagnum, broken crocks, and a sprinkling of sand, are found suitable. It must have 

 sufficient moisture at the roots whilst the growing season lasts, and be kept all but dry 

 through the dormant period. 



