THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. 



PROPAGATION OF ORCHIDS. 



In his "Orchid Grower's Manual/' Mr. B. S. Williams 

 devotes a chapter to this important subject, and we 

 transfer it to our columns because it conveys so much 

 valuable information. 



" There are different modes of propagating the 

 various kinds of Orchids. Some are easily increased 

 by dividing them into pieces, or by cutting the old 

 pseudo-bulbs from the plants after the latter have done 

 blooming. Such plants as Dendrobiums are increased 

 in this way. The best time for dividing the plants is 

 just as they are beginning to grow, or when they are 

 at rest ; they should be cut through with a sharp knife 

 between the pseudo-bulbs, being careful not to harm 

 the roots ; and each piece should have some roots 

 attached to it. After they are cut through, they 

 should be put into some shady part of the house, 

 without receiving much water at the roots till they 

 have begun to grow and make fresh ones ; then they 

 may be parted, pitted, and have the regular supply. 

 Dendrobium nobile, D. Pierardi, D. pulchellum, D. 

 macrophyllum, D. Devonianum, D. Falconeri, D. 

 Wardianum, and sorts of similar habit, are easily 

 propagated. This is effected by binding the old 

 pseudo-bulbs round the basket or pots in which they 

 are growing, or by cutting the old flowering bulbs 

 away from the plant, and laying them in some damp 

 moss in a shady and warm part of the house, with a 

 good supply of moisture. In either case they will 

 break and make roots and new shoots, after which 

 they may be potted and put in baskets. Such kinds 

 as D. Jenkinsii, D. aggregatum, D. formosum, D. 

 speciosum, D. densiflorum, and similar growing sorts, 

 are increased by simply dividing the plants. 



" The species of brides, Vanda, Angraecum, Sacco- 

 labium, Camarotis, Renanthera, and similar growing 

 kinds, are all propagated by cutting the tops off the 

 plant just below the first root, or by taking the young 

 growths from the bottom of the plant. After they 

 have formed roots they should be cut off with a sharp 

 knife, and afterwards put in blocks or in baskets with 

 some sphagnum moss, and kept in a warm or damp 

 part of the house, without receiving much water till 

 they have begun to grow, when they may have the 

 usual supply. Odontoglossums, Oncidiums, Zygope- 

 talums, Sobralias, Tricopilias, Stanhopeas, Schom- 

 burgkias, Peristerias, Mormodes, Miltonias, Lycastes, 

 Leptotes, Laslias, Galeandras, Epidendrums, Cyrtopo- 

 diums, Cyrtochilums, Cymbidiums, Cycnoches, Cory- 

 anthes, Ccelogynes, Cattleyas, Calanthes, Brassias, 



Bletias, and Barkerias, are all propagated by dividing 

 them into small pieces, each having a portion of roots 

 attached to it, and a young bulb or growing point. 



" Thunia Alba, T. Bensoniae, T. Marshellii, are very 

 easily increased. The best way is to cut the old 

 pseudo-bulbs off after the young ones have begun to 

 flower, that is, just before the plant has made its 

 growth. The pseudo-bulbs should be cut into pieces 

 about six inches long, and then put into a pot in some 

 silver sand, with a bell-glass over them, till they have 

 struck root ; they should then be potted in some 

 fibrous peat and moss, and should have good drainage 

 and a liberal supply of water in the growing season. 



"Some of the Epidendrums, such as E. cinuabarinum, 

 E. crassifolium, and similar growing kinds, which form 

 plants on the tops of the old flower-stalks, are easily 

 propagated ; they should be left till they have made 

 their growth, and then be cut off and potted, when 

 they will soon make good plants. Some Dendrobiums 

 will also form plants on the tops of the old pseudo- 

 bulbs, and they should be treated in the same way." 



CATTLEYA EXONIENSIS. 



We have recently seen very fine flowers of this 

 beautiful species. It is a splendid garden hybrid, 

 having for its parents C. Mossia3 and Laelia purpurata. 

 The sepals and petals are in shape and colour like 

 those of C. Mossias ; the lip is much enlarged in front, 

 and is in colour of an intense, rich, rosy velvety purple ; 

 the throat golden-yellow. It flowers in August and 

 September, and can sometimes be had later by two or 

 three months. The rich -coloured lip, with its narrow 

 white margin, is very beautiful indeed ; massive and 

 striking. C. Exoniensis was raised some years ago by 

 Messrs. Veitch and Sons, and will be grown for many 

 years to come. 



BOOKS RECEIVED. 



The Hardy-Fruit Book. By D. T. Fish. VoL I.— 



The Apple, Pear, Peach and Nectarine. 

 The Apricot : its History, Varieties, Cultivation and 



Diseases. By D. T. Fish. 

 The Plum : its History, Varieties, Cultivation and 



Disease. By D. T. Fish. 

 Bulbs and Bulb Culture. Part III.— The Gladiolus, 



Lachenalia, Cyclamen, Ranunculus and Scylla. By 



D. T. Fish. 



OS) 



