266 DENDROBIUM CAMBRIDGEANUM. 
quite unique among the yellow-flowering kinds, there being, in D. Camhridgeanum^ 
never more than two issuing from the same point, and occasionally only one. 
The extraordinary habitude of this plant will at once determine the cultivator 
as to the mode of treatment to be practised. Being naturally a pendent species, it 
will not thrive if trained in an erect position, nor even in a partially recumbent 
one ; consequently, neither pots nor baskets of any sort are at all suitable for its 
reception. It must be aflixed to a large block of wood, and the roots screened 
from light by a trifling covering of sphagnum, carefully secured with metallic 
wire. Living plants of the common Lycopodium stoloniferum are extensively 
employed by Messrs. Loddiges on the logs of wood and baskets which support the 
more luxuriant species of orchidacese ; as they answer the threefold purpose of 
protecting the roots, creating a very interesting appearance, and giving certain 
indication of a lack of moisture whenever this occurs. The system is much to be 
applauded ; not only on account of the neat and lively efi'ect it produces, but 
likewise for the great advantages it confers on the plants, by maintaining them in 
a perpetually moist condition throughout their progressive stage. Whenever the 
moss is found to extend itself over too great a surface, or becomes too dense, it can 
easily be thinned or removed to any desired extent ; and in the winter months, 
when such plants as the present should be dry and torpid, it may be allowed 
completely to decay, always reserving a few plants in some convenient place to 
renew the supply when again required. 
With regard to the kind of wood best adapted for this object, it is difiicult to 
decide what trees furnish logs of the most congenial nature. Those on which the 
bark is perfect, rugged, and durable, should be preferred ; for the roots delight to 
insinuate themselves into the fissures of rough bark, and, if this is subject to a 
speedy decay, or separates readily upon exposure to the frequent atmospheric 
changes of an orchidaceous house, the plant cannot be transferred to another block 
without great injury to the roots. 
Like all other Dendrohiums, this requires a period of dormancy on the cessation 
of its growth, of about three months' duration, during which it must be kept 
particularly dry. Water should, however, be very liberally administered in 
summer. It may be propagated after the usual manner, by merely detaching one 
of the younger stems, and treating it precisely as the parent plant. 
