Insects must always be closely sought after, as the foliage of these plants is tender, such as these pests delight to feed upon. The species are propagated by dividing them where there are one or two back shoots, with a young growth in front.
Watering Orchids.--We have found rain-water to be the best for Orchids and for all kinds of plants, this being the water supplied in their natural habitats. Rain-water is easily to be obtained, by providing tanks under the stages, and allowing the rain-water to enter from the roof; in this way no room is lost. A pump should be attached, in case the water gets low in dry weather, when it can be easily raised to the required height.
The plan we adopt is to have a deep cemented tank in the centre of the house, under the stage, so that the top may be open; this allows the water which is standing in the tank to become somewhat warmed by contact with the atmosphere of the house, which is very beneficial; in fact, Orchids should never be watered with water that has not had the chill taken off, as cold water, especially in winter time, causes spot, and may rot the growths and injure the roots. Into this tank the rain-water runs from the roof, and as we have the New River water laid on as well, when rain-water is scarce we fill up with this, and thereby have a mixture of rain and hard water.--B. S. W.
[Illustration: PL. 58. ODONTOGLOSSUM TRIUMPHANS.]
ODONTOGLOSSUM TRIUMPHANS. [Plate 58.] _Native of New Grenada._
Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ ovate oblong, two to three inches in length, furrowed when old, diphyllous. _Leaves_ oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, narrowed to the base. _Scape_ arising from the base of the pseudobulbs, elongate, the inflorescence racemose, the flowers having longish internodes between them, and the pedicels each furnished with a small triangular bract at its base. _Flowers_ large, handsomely spotted; _sepals_ oblong acute, narrowed to the base, deep golden yellow, marked for three-fourths of their length with transverse spots and blotches of rich brownish crimson; _petals_ similar in form and colour, somewhat broader, the margins lobulate or sinuate-dentate; _lip_ clawed, the limb fiddle-shaped, apiculate, with the point recurved, the margin denticulate, the basal half white with yellow crests, and the anterior portion of a rich brownish crimson, narrowly edged with yellow, the claw bicarinate, the keel running out into crests on the disk, with a pair of larger falcate crests interposed. _Column_ white, semi-terete, curved at the tip, with a rhombic minutely erose wing.