1884 .] 
GEIFFINIA OENATA.-DENDEOBIUM SUPEEBIENS.-TEA EOSES IN AUTUMN. 
163 
and it is very striking and effective when grown 
as a wire basket plant and suspended from 
the rafters of the conservatory or stove. It 
grows well in an intermediate house between a 
stove and greenhouse, where the temperature 
ranges between fifty and sixty degrees, except 
during the summer months when it rises 
higher. It grows freely in a compost of turfy 
loam with a little peat and sand. During the 
season of growth the plants should be frequently 
syringed to keep them clear of insects. It is 
easily increased by cuttings of the half ripened 
branches prepared in the usual way, put into 
a pot and placed in a little bottom heat.—M. 
Saul, York. 
GRIFFINIA ORNATA. 
^jllTHIS fine addition to our flowering stove 
or intermediate-house bulbous plants 
was introduced b}'^ Mr. W. Bull, of 
Chelsea. It is a native of Brazil, from 
the district of Rio de Janeiro, whence so many 
fine things that embellish our warm stoves 
have come. It belongs to a select genus, all 
of American origin. In general habit this 
new-comer somewhat resembles Grijjinia Bhi- 
menavia, and also G. parviflora, although the 
latter bears very much smaller flowers, but, 
like the present subject, has its flowers tinged 
with pale lilac. The flowers are much stouter in 
both the petals and sepals than G. hyacinthina, 
which is perhaps the best known species in 
cultivation, and one of the most useful of 
autumn flowering plants. It is a very free 
blooming plant, the moderately strong bulbs 
producing a couple of scapes which rise to a 
height of from a foot to eighteen inches, sur¬ 
mounted by a score or more flowers each, the 
individual heads nine or ten inches across ; 
each flower as it first appears is suftused with 
soft blush lilac, fading ofl’ as they get older to 
white. It is altogether a handsome plant, the 
rich green ample leaf curving most gracefully, 
setting off the stately heads of flower on their 
erect stems to advantage. 
Like the other better known Griffinias, it 
flowers from the mature bulbs of the preceding 
summer’s growth, and no doubt the treatment 
with which they succeed will answer for this. 
Growth commences immediately the plants 
have done flowering,'and any potting that may 
be required should then be carried out; but 
they are plants that do not need so much root- 
room as things of more rapid growth and 
increase. The drainage must be made perfect 
at first, as the plants do not require, nor 
should be disturbed every year. Good yellow 
loam suits them in every way, mixed with 
enough sand to allow the water to pass through 
it; the plants after blooming will keep on 
growing slowly through the winter in a night 
temperature of about 58°, with a rise of 6° or 
8° in the day-time, increasing the heat as the 
days lengthen. Through the early part of 
summer a day and night temperature such as 
required for the generality of stove plants will 
answer, keeping it in a light position, although 
a little shade in the middle of the day in very 
bright weather will be beneficial. 
As the autumn advances the foliage and 
bulbs will have completed their growth, and to 
solidify them less water should be applied, and 
shading dispensed with. As soon as the flower- 
stems make their appearance more water should 
be given. They increase by division of the 
bulbs, which, when in good condition, produce 
offsets, yet slower than most plants of similar 
habit.—T. Baines. 
DENDROBIUM SUPERBIENS. 
f HIS is one of the most beautiful and most 
lasting of our coloured Dendrobes, its 
long upright spikes of violet purple 
flowers being most freely produced, 
and lasting from six to eight weeks in beauty. 
Even when cut from the plant the flowers last 
over a month in the dwelling-house under 
favourable circumstances. It is now well in 
bloom with Mr. B. S. 'Williams at Upper Hol¬ 
loway, and the Orchid-houses there have not 
been without plants of it in bloom ever since 
the spring. Mr. Williams grows it in shallow 
pans in a warm house, and suspended in full 
light, where it gets the morning and afternoon 
sun. It requires abundance of water when 
growing.—J. O’B. 
TEA ROSES IN AUTUMN. 
"HERE a light span-roofed greenhouse 
has been set apart for the culture of 
Tea Roses, either in pots or planted 
out, it is not difficult to obtain a good 
supply of these valuable flowers’ in the autumn 
months. Those who have the means, and are 
fond of Roses, would find money well-invested 
in building a house for the special culture 
