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PAXTON'S FLOWER GARDEN. 



for their formation as for their charming colours : P. amabilis and P. grandiflora, 

 each with their snowy-white petals and sepals, relieved by the purple, red, and yellow 

 markings respectively in the centre of their blossoms, so distinct from all others ; 

 P. Luddemanniana, remarkable for the dark brown transverse bars with which the 

 petalite and sepalite segments are marked, the whole lit up with the indescribable violet 

 tint, like that existent in some of the Cactus family. The whole of these Phalsenopsids 

 are true Epiphytes, and are indigenous to Manilla, Borneo, Java, and adjacent parts, 

 where the climate is warm and moist. They are devoid of the bulb-like stems so con- 

 spicuous in most Orchids, and consist of roots and leaves connected with a scarcely 

 perceptible stem, not at all thickened or swollen out; the entire plant is of a particu- 

 larly fleshy, succulent nature. This holds good in all the species. Where the stout pseudo- 

 bulbs (already spoken of as present in most Orchids) exist, they add much to the powers 

 of endurance which the plants possess to bear up against any hard usage to which they may 

 be submitted, either by indifferent cultural treatment, or by being subjected to the vicissi- 

 tudes of long journeys, such as are inevitable when being imported to this country; but, 

 through their wants being better understood than formerly, and the quicker passages made 

 than used to be possible, Phalsenopsids now usually reach these shores in better condition- 

 Hence the ordinary varieties are at the present time cheap as compared with the fabulous 

 prices at one time paid for them ; but their formation, being, as above intimated, devoid 

 of the pseudo-bulbs, will always tend to make them far less able to bear any extremes, 

 either of dryness in the atmosphere, or at their roots, or of exposure to the sun's direct 

 rays, than most of the bulb-bearing species of Orchids, which pass through such trials 

 without injury. Another thing that cultivators will do well to bear in mind is that 

 their natural free disposition to flower is such that even small weak plants will bloom 

 if permitted ; but in their case it is much better to remove the flower-stems as soon as 

 these appear. The flowers are also of a very enduring nature, and if all are allowed to 

 remain on until they decay naturally they weaken the plants so much that it is no 

 uncommon occurrence to see strong, vigorous examples much reduced in strength by 

 profuse and long blooming. The plants thrive and retain a healthy, vigorous condition the 

 longest when kept hung up close to the roof in a good light house, shaded from the 

 sun whenever its rays are at all powerful, but exposed to full light at other times. Baskets 

 or pots, in all cases not too large, well drained and filled with fibrous peat, sphagnum, 

 and potshreds in equal quantities, suit them best, keeping them moderately well moistened 

 during the growing season, and drier, but never so dry, in winter, as most Orchids require 

 to be. They should have enough air every day in the growing season to dispel the 

 superabundant atmospheric moisture of the house ; the temperature of an ordinary warm 

 Orchid house is requisite in summer, with a good rest in less heat through the winter. 



