August 2, 1394. 
JOURN'AL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
99 
flowers. The sepals and petals are equal in size, pointed, and fleshy 
in texture. The lip is three-lobed, claw shaped, with a tuft of very 
fine hair-like processes upon it. The flowers have a perfume 
resembling the Night-flowering Cactus, which is greatly disliked 
by some persons but tolerated by others, 
Paphinias are easily grown in the warm house all the year round. 
They must be carefully shaded in summer, for, as before mentioned, 
the foliage is very thin, and therefore easily injured by strong 
sunlight. This is a disfigurement as well as a check to the plants, as 
a good deal depends upon the proper carrying out of the functions 
of the leaves. They will thrive best suspended in small well 
drained pans or baskets in a compost of equal parts peat and moss. 
species of Dendrobium, notably the evergreen section as represented 
by‘D. aggregatum, D. chrysotoxum, and D. densiflorum, produce and 
finish their growths very quickly, and on some early plants these 
are already completed._ 
Although they would if kept in a warm moist house produce 
another set of growths this season, it is not advisable to allow them 
to do so. The closer the plants are kept to their natural annual 
routine of growth the more satisfactory they eventually prove. 
If a low well-glazed pit with a south aspect can be spared, 
these early plants may now be arranged in it as near the glass as 
possible. The lights may be drawn off on fine days. The plants 
Fig. 15.—SOBRALIA VBITCHI. 
with a little charcoal or crocks to ensure aeration. I find it an 
excellent plan to repot Paphinias annually, as the roots perhaps more 
than those of any other Orchid are very impatient of any decaying 
substance about them. Copious waterings at the roots are necessary 
while growing, with light dewings on hot days at closing time. 
During winter less is of course required, but enough must be given 
to keep the foliage in good condition. P. cristata and P. rugosa 
are the two species most generally grown. P. grandis is more rare, 
and is the most beautiful as well the largest flowered in the genus. 
Cultural Notes on Orchids. 
The majority of the plants in all the houses are in full growth, 
and care must be taken to keep the temperatures well up, and to 
avoid any check. The dull unseasonable weather tells greatly 
against the Orchid grower at this season, when abundance of heat 
and moisture are necessary to the plants under his charge. Many 
must not be dried at the roots, as the drier atmosphere is sufficient 
to keep them dormant. If a pit or frame is not at command the 
front stage of a vinery or similar house will be a suitable position 
for the plants. Keep Dendrobium chrysanthum in a warm and 
light position until the flowers open. This is a rather restless 
species, and usually grows away at the bottom before the flowers 
are past. Epidendrum bicornutum must be kept well up to the 
light, and the syringe used freely among the young growths. 
Well flowered plants of Grammatophyllum Ellisianum are now 
very attractive. The curved spikes bearing a profusion of shining 
yellow and red flowers are produced from the young psendo-bulbs. 
This plant should be encouraged to finish as large and sound 
pseudo-bulbs as possible, as unless these are strong enough to with¬ 
stand a good season of dry rest flowers will not be produced. 
