AG R I C U LT U R A L B U I.XET I N 
of mic 
STRAITS 
AND 
F E D E R A T E D M A LAY STATES. 
No. 8.] AUGUST, 1903. [Vol. II. 
CULTIVATION OF RENANTHERAS. 
There are few orchids more easy of cultivation and more flori- 
ferous than the Renantheras, commonly known as spider or scorpion 
orchids, and no tropical garden can be considered at all complete 
without them. There are eleven species known, all natives of the 
Malay and Chinese regions. The plants have terete woody stems 
usually about as thick as a pencil, emitting long grey terete roots 
from the joints, and attaining a length of 20 or 30 feet or even more. 
The leaves are leathery oblong distichous rather far apart and the 
flowers are produced in large panicles, of several branches usually 
spreading horizontally and covered with flowers, often of large size 
and brilliant colour. 
The Renantheras are propagated by cuttings which grow readily 
when merely stuck in the ground. To grow them it is best to dig 
a round bed, in which is put leaf mould mixed with broken crocks 
and charcoal, and fairly stout poles, seven to ten feet tall are put 
in the beds up which the Renantheras will grow. The beds are 
made in full sun, and from time to time a little cut grass should be 
thrown on the base of the plants. Grown in this manner most of 
the Renantheras will thrive and flower several times a year. 
The Vandas, V. teres and f \ Hooker iana, and the hybrid V. 
Miss Joaquim, are best grown in the same way as Renantheras, 
and in good damp soil are very floriferous. Renantheras may also 
be grown on trees hut is they do not flower till they get to the 
light this is rather a slow method. Light being what these plants 
require cultivation in Europe has not been very successful on the 
whole, though several species have flowered in hot houses. Renan- 
theras are seldom attacked by any pests, but I have seen them 
injured by the small black orchid weevil in Penang. 
I he following species have been cultivated in Singapore: — 
R. arachnites , Lindl. The scorpion orchid, native of Perak. 
R. maingayi , Ridl. Native of the Malay Peninsula. 
R. alba , Ridl. Native of the Peninsula and Borneo. 
R. matutina , Lindl. Native of Borneo and Malay Peninsula. 
/v. micrantha , Lindl. Native of the Peninsula 
R ■ stor/ei, Rchb. fil. Native of the Philippines. 
