In this little Moth Orchid we have a very pretty novelty, for the
opportunity of figuring, which we have to acknowledge our indebtedness
to the Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea, for whom the plant was
collected by Mr. F. W. Burbidge, now the energetic Curator of the
Trinity College Botanic Gardens, Dublin. Mr. Burbidge has been good
enough to inform us that the plant was found in a totally new habitat,
at an elevation of 2,000 feet above the sea level. Only four plants were
originally found, although a large sum was offered for specimens of it
to the natives, in whose language it is known as the Rain-flower, on
account of its opening its first blossoms at the commencement of the wet
monsoon. Mr. Burbidge adds that it was discovered by him "when
travelling in the Eastern Archipelago for the Messrs. Veitch, and that
it has been named by Professor Reichenbach in compliment to Mrs.
Burbidge.
"At first sight the plant both in its habit of growth, and in its
blossoms, is suggestive of _Phalænopsis sumatrana_, especially the
beautiful variety of that species known as _lilacina_, but in _P.
Mariæ_, there is no brush-like apical lobe to the lip, nor is the apex
of the column fringed as in that species. The bold amethyst-coloured
blotches on the snow-white sepals and petals are very lovely, and,
although the flowers are not so large as those of some others of its
congeners, it affords, nevertheless, another illustration of the
pleasing beauty of mountain flowers. It has a singularly hardy
constitution, and so bears the vicissitudes of transit better than many
of its allies."
Though this new species is not so showy as many other kinds, it is quite
worthy of a place in the most select collection, the flowers being
exceedingly pretty and very pleasingly coloured. It has bloomed with the
Messrs. Veitch during the past year, and was exhibited by them, and
greatly admired at one of the Royal Horticultural Society's Meetings. It
is of this plant, thanks to the importers, that our artist was allowed
to avail himself in preparing the figure we now publish.
It produces drooping foliage of a light green colour, and bears several
flowers in a pendent raceme. The sepals and petals are white,
transversely barred with reddish brown and rosy purple, and the lip is
of a deep rich magenta.
The plant requires the same kind of treatment as the other species of
_Phalænopsis_, which has been already explained in connection with
Plates 11 and 39 of our first volume.
Orchids at Woolton Wood, Liverpool, the Seat of H. Gaskell, Esq.--We
have had great pleasure in visiting this place, and may state that we
were greatly surprised to find such a fine collection of Orchids brought
together in so short a space of time. Mr. Gaskell has commenced in the
right way, in that he has built good houses for the various Orchids that
come from different climates, and require a distinct mode of treatment.
No doubt this collection will take rank amongst the finest in the
country, especially as it is the good kinds only that are being added to
it. This, indeed, is the only way in which a really select collection
can be made; but when this is done, the plants are of real value, and
every day become more and more interesting to the owner. In this case,
Mr. Davis, who has the care of the plants, takes great interest in their
welfare, the result being that they are thoroughly well attended to.
We noticed in the Woolton Wood collection some fine specimens of
_Cattleya labiata_ in full bloom, one plant having had several grand
spikes of flowers upon it; there were also in bloom _C. exoniensis_, _C.
gigas_, and a very fine _C. maxima_, which were extremely showy. In the
same house, along with many other fine Orchids, were the lovely _Vanda
coerulea_, with fifteen finely-coloured blossoms; a superb variety of
_Cymbidium Mastersii_ in full beauty, and some grand Cattleyas and
Lælias. We also noticed a wonderful specimen of _C. Skinneri alba_, such
as we had no idea was to be found in the country.
In the next house was a fine lot of plants, many of them in bloom. Among
the Calanthes, which make a grand show at the dull season of the year,
we noticed many fine Odontoglossums, including some good varieties of
_O. Alexandræ_ in full bloom. The cool Orchids were thriving well in the
different houses.
We were glad to see that Mr. Gaskell intends to have a good collection
of East Indian Orchids. We noted some fine specimens of _Phalænopsis_,
_Saccolabium_, _Vanda_, &c. These genera rank amongst the finest of
their race. In addition to the Orchids there are here other valuable
plants, and a nice fernery, which is always interesting, as the plants
associate so well with the Orchids. We regret that our space is too
limited to permit us to give further details of this charming
collection.--B.S.W.
[Illustration: PL. 81.
CATTLEYA CRISPA BUCHANANIANA.]
CATTLEYA CRISPA BUCHANANIANA.
[Plate 81.]
_Native of Brazil._
Epiphytal. _Stems_ clavate, eight to ten inches long, furrowed,
monophyllous. _Leaves_ evergreen, coriaceous, about a foot long,
oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, emarginate. _Scape_ emerging from a large
oblong compressed leafy spathe, which is obliquely acute at the apex,
and bearing a four to seven-flowered raceme. _Flowers_ large and very
handsome, with a beautifully crisp-edged and veined lip; _sepals_
lanceolate-obovate, that is, broadest upwards, the margins revolute at
the base, the tips recurved, of a very delicate tint of blush white;
_petals_ of the same colour as the sepals, much broader, ovate, with
the base cuneate, and the margin strongly undulated and crisped; _lip_
with the basal part or side lobes rolled around the column, recurved
in front, crisped at the edge, and showing a feathery blotch of
purplish-crimson on a white ground: the throat bright yellow with
several purple-crimson streaks in the middle part, these passing
outwards to the antical portion, which is broadly ovate acuminate,
recurved at the tip, strongly frilled or crisped, of a bright rich
rosy crimson, margined with white, and charmingly reticulated over the
apical portion. _Column_ enclosed, elevate, semiterete, marginate.
Cattleya crispa Buchananiana, _supra_.
The charming subject we now have the pleasure to bring under the notice
of our readers is a grand variety of the old _Cattleya crispa_, and one
of the most beautiful and richly-coloured flowers that have ever come
under our notice. There are several varieties of _Cattleya crispa_, but
that which is now before us is the finest we know of, and moreover
produces its flowers in great profusion. We exhibited a specimen of this
variety at the International Show in Edinburgh, where it was greatly
admired by the lovers of Orchids, the plant being finely in flower.
Blooming at a time when there are comparatively few Orchids in the
flowering state, _C. crispa_ and its varieties come in extremely useful
at the many exhibitions held during the month of September, and help to
make a good display. There is some difference of opinion amongst the
Orchid authorities as to the proper generic name of this plant, some
referring it to _Cattleya_ and some to _Lælia_; we follow the original
describer of the species, the late Dr. Lindley, by retaining it in
_Cattleya_; in truth there is but a very slight technical difference
between them, though in any case _Cattleya_ has precedence of _Lælia_.
Our drawing was taken from the specimen above alluded to before it was
exhibited in Edinburgh. That plant is now in the possession of J.
Buchanan, Esq., Oswald Road, Edinburgh, in whose honour it has been
named. Mr. Buchanan is a great admirer of good Orchids, and is forming a
nice collection, in which are already included some rare species.
_Cattleya crispa Buchananiana_ is of the same habit of growth as the
type, and has dark evergreen foliage and large flowers, which stand out
boldly from each other. The sepals and broader petals are of a blush
white; the lip large, of the richest crimson, and more crisped at the
edge than in most of the species. It produces from four to seven flowers
on the spike during the months of August and September, and continues
for two or three weeks in full beauty.
Our present subject is a free-growing plant, and thrives under the same
treatment as _Lælia purpurata_, being very much like it in its habit of
growth. The requisite material in which to cultivate it is good fibrous
peat, accompanied by ample drainage, as it requires a moderate amount of
moisture, when in vigorous growth, which is during the winter season; of
course at that time of year the soil does not dry so rapidly, and
therefore water given twice in the week will usually supply all the
wants of the plants, but should the weather be very bright, more might
be required. This plant makes its growth in autumn and winter, and
therefore must be kept as near the light as possible, which will induce
greater vigour, and the flowers will be produced more freely. The
burning rays of the sun must be kept from the foliage by means of
moderate shading.
This, like other Cattleyas, is subject to the attacks of insects, which
must be well sought after, so as to be dislodged before they get too
strongly entrenched upon the plant. White scale quickly disfigures the
leaves if allowed to remain. Moreover, the thrips will sometimes attack
the young growth, and should be destroyed by syringing.
This species is easily propagated by dividing the bulbs, leaving several
to each piece. This should be done when the plants are starting into
growth. After this they must be kept shaded until they make fresh roots
in the new soil. A plant should never be divided unless it is in
vigorous health, for otherwise the experiment will probably fail.
Phajus tuberculosus.--This great rarity has at last flowered again with
Baron Schröder, The Dell, Staines. We believe it was first bloomed in
this country by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P., when it was exhibited
by him at South Kensington. It is a great beauty. The flowers are
produced in an erect spike; the sepals and petals are pure white, the
basal lobes of the lip are yellow, spotted with purplish crimson,
producing a bronzy effect, the surface being studded with hairs, and the
apical portion white, spotted with rose, and very finely and densely
frilled, while the crests on the disk are orange-yellow. This splendid
novelty is considered very difficult to cultivate, but Mr. Ballantyne
seems to have hit upon the plan of successfully managing it.--H. W.
[Illustration: PL. 82.
ODONTOGLOSSUM LONDESBOROUGHIANUM.]
ODONTOGLOSSUM LONDESBOROUGHIANUM.
[Plate 82.]
_Native of Mexico._
Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ oblong-ovate, two and a half inches long,
glaucous green, becoming furrowed when old. _Leaves_ deciduous,
ligulate acute, channelled towards the base, of a light green colour.
_Scape_ three to six feet long, arching, bearing at the upper end a
many-flowered raceme. _Flowers_ showy, with a large conspicuous bright
yellow lip; _sepals_ oblong, apiculate, concave, narrowed at the base
into a short claw, slightly wavy at the edge, pale yellow,
transversely barred with short oblong blotches of chestnut-red;
_petals_ ovate, concave, with a broad base, sessile, the apex broad,
obtusely apiculate, the margins wavy and reflexed about the middle,
the upper portion coloured like the sepals, and marked with transverse
bars, the basal part marked concentrically; _lip_ with a long yellow
claw, spotted with chestnut-red, and having at its base two small
oblong obtuse erect yellow auricles (sagittate), the flat transversely
reniform limb one and a half inch wide, of a clear bright yellow;
between the basal auricles are two shorter rounded incurved lobes,
forming a scoop-like hollow, which is yellow, spotted on the inside,
the front being produced below into a prominent keel, having a blunt
arm on each side at the base. _Column_ slender, semi-terete, curved,
yellow, with a red line on each of the very shallow wing-like angles.
Odontoglossum Londesboroughianum, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners'
Chronicle_, N.S. xvii., 772.
We have in _Odontoglossum Londesboroughianum_ one of the most distinct
and brilliantly coloured of the Odontoglots, for there are but few of
the species that we have in our plant stoves which produce flowers of a
bright golden-yellow colour. There are many varieties of it dispersed
through different collections, the individual form varying in the size
of their flowers and in the depth of their colour, some being of a paler
yellow than others. The form which we here illustrate is a very good
one, and was received from the fine collection of H. J. Buchan, Esq.,
Wilton House, Southampton. Under the care of Mr. Osborn, the gardener at
Wilton House, it has bloomed freely, and, with its long graceful spikes
overhanging the foliage of other plants, it is found to have a charming
effect. It is also extremely useful when cut for ornamenting vases, as
in these days of æstheticism yellow always proves an acceptable colour
in floral decoration. The blossoms, moreover, have a brilliant effect
when tastefully arranged in vases, if used amongst flowers of other
appropriate contrasting hues.
_Odontoglossum Londesboroughianum_ is a deciduous plant, losing its
foliage in winter; the leaves are of a light green colour, while the
pseudobulbs are glaucous. The stems bearing the inflorescence are from
three to six feet in length, the number of flowers produced being rather
sparing. The sepals and petals, which are concave, are yellow, barred
with reddish brown, while the lip is of a bright rich yellow. The plant
blooms during the autumn months, and continues in perfection for several
weeks.
We have found this species to thrive well when fastened on blocks of
wood, and also when grown in baskets, with good drainage and rough
fibrous peat or sphagnum moss; it requires a good supply of moisture at
the roots in the growing season, but a less quantity when at rest. When
grown on blocks it is necessary that more water should be given, as the
blooms dry up quickly. The Cattleya house seems the most suitable
structure in which to cultivate it, and here it should be suspended from
the roof, so that it may be as fully exposed to the light and as near to
the glass as is possible.
Orchids at Pickering Lodge, Timperley, the Seat of George Hardy,
Esq.--This collection of Lælias and Cattleyas is well worth a journey to
see. The plants are well grown, and form a finer lot of specimens than
can be met with in most collections. They have been cultivated here for
some years past, and a portion of them have been grown on from small
plants. We noticed some very fine specimens of _Lælia purpurata_, from
two to three feet in diameter, and showing a fine series of flower
sheaths for blooming this season; also others of _Cattleya crispa
superba_. There is a _Cattleya Skinneri_, a wonderful specimen, three
feet across, showing a goodly number of sheaths. _Cattleya Warnerii
superba_ is a grand specimen, and of this species Mr. Hardy has many
fine varieties. There are also notable specimens of _C. Mossiæ_, _C.
Trianæ_, and the beautiful _C. Mendelii_, not only fine plants, but good
varieties. _Cattleya exoniensis_ we found splendidly in bloom--one of
the best of the forms, of which there are several in cultivation; in
this the lip was of the richest colours we have seen. There are many
other fine Cattleyas and Lælias in the collection, many of which have
taken the highest awards at the great shows at Manchester.
There are also in this collection fine examples of _Dendrobium_,
_Saccolabium_ _Aërides_, _Phalænopsis_, and other East Indian Orchids;
and a very large number of cool Orchids, such as _Odontoglossum
Alexandræ_; of this we saw a fine branched spiked form in full beauty
among the many hundreds of good plants in the house, which contains also
notable examples of _O. Pescatorei_, various species of _Masdevallia_,
and others. This collection is one full of interest, as there are always
many fine varieties in blossom, and the plants are well grown and duly
cared for.--B. S. W.
Cattleya Trianæ alba.--E. Wright, Esq., of Gravelly Hill, Birmingham,
has sent us a fine form of this beautiful Cattleya. The whole of the
flower is pure white, with the exception of a pale yellow blotch in the
throat. We are pleased to find that this charming variety is becoming
more plentiful, as white flowers are always in request, and good white
Cattleyas are never too plentiful.--H. W.
[Illustration: PL. 83.
CATASETUM CHRISTYANUM.]
CATASETUM CHRISTYANUM.
[Plate 83.]
_Native of the Amazon Country._
Epiphytal. _Stems_ stoutish, fusiform, jointed, six to eight inches
long, and clothed with whitish membraneous sheaths. _Leaves_ several
from the apex of the younger stems, lanceolate-lorate, acuminate,
plaited, the basal part channelled and sheathing the upper part of the
stems. _Scape_ radical, bearing an erect six to seven flowered raceme,
with distinct sheathing scales below. _Flowers_ remarkable in form,
large, spreading, brown and green, each with a narrow bract at its
base; _sepals_ lanceolate-acuminate, the dorsal ones erect, the
lateral ones spreading horizontally, dark reddish or chocolate brown;
_petals_ connivent, parallel with the dorsal sepal, of a lighter
brown, obscured, spotted with still paler brown at the base; _lip_
short, with a bluntly conical saccate pouch, and a three-lobed limb:
the front lobe obovate apiculate, bent down on both sides,
olive-green, ciliate with short brown fringe-like teeth, the lateral
lobes squarish, bright green, with much longer purple fringes, the
spur or pouch pale brown outside, darker brown within, and having a
square oblong mouth with the front margin nearly straight, and the
hinder margin with two upright emarginate lamellæ. _Column_ green,
with a long erect green subulate inflexed beak, on two deflexed setæ
below the anther bed, green, curving outwards like tusks.
Catasetum Christyanum, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners' Chronicle_,
N.S., xvii, 588.
The subject of our present illustration belongs to a most peculiar
family of Orchids, and one which is especially interesting to those who
are fond of curiosities. "Take Cataseta into your stoves," observes
Professor Reichenbach, "and you are pretty sure to become more or less
bewitched, earlier or later." No doubt they are full of interest to the
botanist, but they are not so useful for purposes of decoration, nor so
attractive as objects of beauty as are many others of their race.
Possibly, however, some of our readers may admire the peculiar forms and
colours of this flower, more than the showy and bright shades we so
often meet with among the infinitely varied genera of _Orchidacæ_. It
has been pointed out that the close affinity of this plant is with
_Catasetum saccatum_, a Demerara species introduced in 1840. It is
certainly a very remarkable Orchid, and our artist has made a very
faithful representation of it from a specimen growing in the collection
of Thomas Christy, Esq., Malvern House, Sydenham, after whom it is
named, and who not only possesses many new and rare species, but also
takes great interest in their cultivation. _Catasetum Christyanum_ is a
deciduous species, with fusiform stem growing about eight inches in
height. It produces its flower-spikes from the base of these stems, on
erect scapes bearing in each spike about half a dozen flowers. The
sepals and paler petals are of a dull purplish red, which is relieved by
the green of the lip. The plants usually bloom during the autumn months,
but we believe the blossoms do not last very long after they have
expanded.
Mr. Christy has bloomed another variety of the same plant, with smaller
and greener flowers, which has been called _C. Christyanum chlorops_.
We find the different species of _Catasetum_ to thrive very well in the
Cattleya house, if provided with fibrous peat and good drainage at the
roots, and suspended from the roof of the structure in baskets. They
must not receive too much water at any time, and when their growth is
completed they should only have just sufficient to keep them in a plump
condition, as they have thick fleshy bulbs to be maintained fresh and
healthy during their resting season.
Lælia superbiens.--We received from A. H. Smee, Esq., the Grange,
Carshalton, a fine spike of flowers of this noble Orchid, forming in
itself a most beautiful bouquet, the sepals and petals were of a rosy
pink, the lip dark rose colour, with the throat of a primrose-yellow,
veined with rosy purple, the upper part dark rose. It is altogether a
charming winter-blooming species, but it is seldom seen. Mr. Smee is a
great lover of Orchids, and is beginning to make a collection, in which
already some rare species appear. He is trying experiments in their
cultivation, and we are inclined to think that many plants will succeed
under his treatment. The house is a very peculiar one; we have not seen
one like it before. It is a long house, and in it there are different
temperatures kept up, so that the different Orchids can be grown in the
same house. Many plants were in bloom when we saw the collection in
January last. The place is a very interesting one, and in the summer
must be very charming on account of the great variety of Ferns and other
plants that are grown there, almost all kinds of plants being
cultivated. The garden must be a source of great enjoyment to the
owners, as both Mr. and Mrs. Smee take much interest in their Orchids
and other plants.--B. S. W.
Cattleya Trianæ Russelliana.--We were highly delighted to see this old
favourite the other day at Baron Schröder's, where it was flowering
profusely. The plant was in a fourteen-inch pot, and had as many as
eight spikes, bearing in all sixteen flowers. In the same house were
several other fine varieties of _C. Trianæ_, including _C. Trianæ
Backhousiana_, but _C. Russelliana_ was a long way in advance of
anything there represented, in fact there is no doubt it is the finest
variety of the dark-lipped section of _C. Trianæ_ at present known. The
lip of this variety is two inches across, and the colour, which is well
carried back into the throat, is a most intense crimson-magenta. There
is no margin of a lighter tint as in many of the other varieties, but
the rich colour is as dark at the margin as in the centre. In addition
to this the flowers are of great substance.--H. W.
[Illustration: PL. 84.
CATTLEYA DOWIANA AUREA.]
CATTLEYA DOWIANA AUREA.
[Plate 84.]
_Native of Colombia._
Epiphytal. _Stems_ stout, clavate, furrowed, eight to ten inches high,
monophyllous. _Leaves_ evergreen, broadly oblong, obtuse, coriaceous,
nearly a foot long. _Scape_ terminal, about four-flowered, emerging
from a compressed bluntish leafy spathe. _Flowers_ very large, about
six inches across and seven inches deep, with a superbly-coloured lip;
_sepals_ linear-lanceolate, plane, recurved at the tip, four inches
long and about three-fourths of an inch wide, the dorsal one somewhat
shorter and broader, all pale or primrose-yellow; _petals_ ovate,
apiculate, about three inches long and two and a half inches broad, of
the same colour as the sepals; _lip_ obcordate, very large, four
inches long and nearly three inches wide, obscurely three-lobed:
lateral lobes erect, and meeting over the column, purple-crimson,
closely veined with deep golden-yellow: front lobe very large, deeply
emarginate, with the edge undulated, closely and finely crisped, rich
velvety purple-crimson throughout, with about three golden lines down
the centre, extending to within about one-third of the apex, from the
outer of which branch off curving towards the margin a close series of
golden reticulations, the sides being also marked by irregular
blotches of gold. _Column_ pale yellow, clavate, curved down, and
almost covered by the lateral lobes of the lip.
Cattleya Dowiana aurea, _supra_.
Cattleya aurea, _Linden_, _Catalogue_ (1872); _Id._ _L'Illustration
Horticole_, 1881, 80.
The species of _Cattleya_ are great favourites with all growers of the
gorgeous race of Orchids. It is no less gratifying than surprising to
see the many new forms that are being brought home by our energetic
collectors, and great praise is due to them for their indefatigable
exertions in this matter. There is no doubt that the Cattleyas rank
amongst the richest-coloured of the genera of Orchids, and many of them
even when not in blossom, if well grown, form attractive specimens,
their foliage being of a beautiful dark green and their growth compact.
The plant we now illustrate is one of the most distinct and beautiful of
the family. Our drawing was taken from a fine specimen in the grand
collection of R. P. Percival, Esq., Clevelands, Birkdale, Southport, who
has one of the largest and best grown collections of Cattleyas to be
found; many of his plants have been imported within the last few years,
and are wonderfully well grown, as, indeed, will appear when the number
of flower sheaths showing on the different specimens is stated; thus, of
_Cattleya Mendelii_ there are 80, of _C. Mossiæ_ 250, of _C. Trianæ_
369, and many others. We may add that a lesson may be learnt from Mr.
Percival and his gardener respecting the growth of the Cattleyas. No
doubt Southport has great advantages over some other districts as
regards purity of atmosphere and abundance of light and fresh air, but
there are many persons having houses of the same kind, and a position
equally advantageous, who would not obtain the same results. The rule we
always lay down for the cultivation of these plants is to secure for
them all the bright light possible. The only way to be successful in
growing them is to give them plenty of light, air, and moisture in their
growing season; and even in their resting season they require all the
available light. There is no doubt that the main reason why these plants
are grown so well is that Mr. Percival perseveres in getting to know the
wants of the various species, many of which require treatment differing
from their fellows, some, for example, liking more moisture than others,
while others require more heat. All this may be learned by studying the
altitudes to which the plants ascend in their native
country--information which is to be obtained partly by reading, and
partly from collectors and growers. There are many other Orchids grown
in the collection besides Cattleyas, and Mr. Percival is building
separate houses for the different classes--houses constructed of good
size, and so that they afford plenty of air and light. Small houses suit
Odontoglots, but Cattleyas require more room.
_Cattleya Dowiana aurea_ is an evergreen plant, with clavate stems about
eight inches in height, bearing broad dark green foliage, it being after
the style of _C. gigas_ in its growth. It comes from a different country
from _C. Dowiana_, which is a Costa Rica species, but is so much like it
that we cannot separate the two, the chief difference being in the
colour of the flowers, which in the variety aurea is of a lighter yellow
than in the type. There is a wonderfully fine illustration of _C.
Dowiana_ in Warner's _Select Orchidaceous Plants_, series 2, t. 27,
which was taken from one of the finest plants of that species which we
have yet seen. In _C. Dowiana aurea_ the sepals and petals are of a
primrose-yellow, while the broad lip is of a fine magenta, richly veined
and blotched with golden-yellow. It is altogether a charming flower,
blooming during the summer and autumn, according as it makes its growth,
the flowers being produced before the growth is completed. They last
three weeks or more in beauty if they are kept free from damp; if,
therefore, they are placed in a dry warm house they will keep fresh
until the last, for it is dampness which is the cause why these and
other Orchid flowers often become spotted with decay. It is better to
have a flowering house for those plants which are in blossom.
We find this variety requires the heat of the Cattleya house, and should
be grown close to the light, being planted in good fibrous peat, with
abundant drainage, so that a good supply of moisture at the roots may be
given without risk during the growing season. When the plants are at
rest a more limited supply will suffice. The plants should be suspended
from the roof of the Orchid house.
[Illustration: PL. 85.
ODONTOGLOSSUM HEBRAICUM LINEOLIGERUM.]
ODONTOGLOSSUM HEBRAICUM LINEOLIGERUM.
[Plate 85.]
_Native of New Grenada._
Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ elongate-ovate, compressed, upwards of two
inches in height, pale green, brownish in age. _Leaves_, one or two
springing from the apex of the pseudobulb, and frequently with a
smaller one from its base, ligulate-oblong acute, nine inches to a
foot in length, bright green. _Scape_ supporting a dense elongated
raceme of elegant flowers, radical, that is springing from the base of
the pseudobulb. _Flowers_ large, upwards of three inches in breadth
and depth, the ground colour at first yellow, afterwards changing to
creamy white, and freely spotted with purplish crimson; _sepals_
lanceolate, attenuately acuminated, pale yellow, marked thickly on the
lower half with deep purplish crimson, in bars and elongated blotches,
which are sometimes confluent, the edges slightly wavy; _petals_
similar in size, form, colour, and marking; _lip_ elongate-triangular,
or narrowing from a broad base to the acuminate apex, toothed and
undulated at the margin, pale yellow, deeper at the base, where there
are placed a pair of prominent divergent crests, very sparingly
spotted with the same colour as the sepals. _Column_ arcuate,
club-shaped, with the wings toothed.
Odontoglossum hebraicum lineoligerum, _Reichenbach fil._, in
_Gardeners' Chronicle_, N.S., xix., 44.
This beautiful plant was first flowered by Charles Winn, Esq., of the
Uplands, Selly Hill, near Birmingham, and was by him submitted to
Professor Reichenbach, who gave it the name here adopted. It has also
been flowered by Mr. Cypher, of Cheltenham, who has kindly forwarded one
of its pseudobulbs for description, and from whom we learn that while on
the imported bulbs two leaves were developed, the bulbs formed in this
country have as yet only borne a single leaf. It is a very distinct
variety, and will make a charming companion to the already famous
_Odontoglossum hebraicum_, of which but few specimens have yet been
introduced into our Orchid-houses. They will form welcome associates of
the better forms of _O. Alexandræ_, which are among the most useful of
all Orchids for decorative purposes, and of the best of which we hope to
submit to our subscribers at some future time a series of authenticated
figures. Among them are to be found some plants bearing pure white
flowers, while in others the blossoms are beautifully spotted with
crimson and reddish brown, or have the sepals and petals suffused with a
delicate rose colour. Mr. Winn, in whose fine collection the plant now
illustrated was bloomed, has a very choice lot of these cool
Odontoglots, which are well cultivated by his gardener, Mr. Shields.
There is no doubt that under good treatment the Odontoglots requiring
what is called cool treatment are among the most accommodating of
Orchids for the amateur, as they take but little room and require but a
small amount of heat. Moreover, they thrive well in the suburbs of our
smoky cities and towns, such as Birmingham and Manchester, or even in
the cities themselves, if a small well-appointed house can be provided
for their accommodation; for as they will do well without much sun, the
back of a north wall will suit them well, provided they get plenty of
light and air, while the fire-heat required in growing them forms but a
small item of expense. There are besides many cool orchids of other
genera that may be grown in the same way, many of which may be purchased
at a very small cost.
This interesting Odontoglossum is a compost-growing plant, like the
type, and appears to be a free bloomer. The flowers, as we learn from
Mr. Winn, open of a pale yellow, and are richly spotted and barred with
purple-crimson, the lip also being pale yellow, and spotted, though in a
less degree, with purple-crimson, but after about two days the ground
colour changes to creamy white. They remain for a long time in a fresh
state if kept from the damp. The plant requires the same treatment as
_Odontoglossum hebraicum_ and _O. Alexandræ_. We find rough fibrous
peat, with good drainage, to suit them all well; a little broken
charcoal and crocks mixed with the peat being of great benefit to them.
It must be borne in mind that they must not be potted too firmly, as
their roots differ from those of hard-wooded plants, which require that
kind of potting. With these, on the other hand, the more porous the soil
is kept the better, since they require a good deal of water about their
roots at most times of the year, and it then passes away more freely.
Another important item in their treatment is to raise the plant one or
two inches above the rim of the pot. A little sphagnum moss placed on
the top of the peat is beneficial to them, if it can be kept in a
growing condition, as it maintains a nice moisture about the plant. If
the moss should become decayed it must be removed, and some fresh living
sphagnum applied. The plants will grow without the moss, but we prefer
to use it. Avoid overpotting, which is often detrimental to them, for
they do not require too much of the potting material about them; the pot
should, in fact, be just large enough to hold the plant, and to admit a
small quantity of the material being placed around it. A temperature of
45° to 50° in winter, and from 50° to 65° in summer, suits the
Odontoglots of the _Alexandræ_ section. In summer, indeed, they can
scarcely be kept too cool.
[Illustration: PL. 86.
CYPRIPEDIUM PARISHII.]
CYPRIPEDIUM PARISHII.
[Plate 86.]
_Native of Moulmein._
Epiphytal. _Stem_ short, erect, leafy. _Leaves_ coriaceous, loriform,
eight to ten inches long, and two inches broad, channelled and
equitant at the base, obliquely obtuse and bifid at the apex,
distichous, deep full green. _Scape_ stout, erect, densely hairy,
green, two feet long or upwards, five to six-flowered, each flower
issuing from a semi-amplexicaul boat-shaped green, ovate, acute,
glabrous bract, ciliated at the tip, the lower ones larger. _Flowers_
singular in their conformation, not brilliant in colour, but pleasing
in character, and long enduring; _dorsal sepal_ one and a half inch
long, erect, ovate-oblong acute, somewhat keeled, the sides revolute
near the base, giving it the appearance of being clawed, the tip
somewhat recurved, greenish straw-colour tinged with purple; _lateral
sepals_ connate, greener, the back marked with two distinct green
keels meeting at the point; _petals_ narrowly strap-shaped, widest
below, and thence tapering to the point, four inches long, whitish
green at the base, with scattered black spots, and a purple edge,
which widens upwards till about half the length, when they become
wholly of a glossy purple on both sides, twisted, the margin having
here and there a black hairy wart; _lip_ one and a half inch long, the
basal half narrowed from the infolding of the edges, deeply stained
outside with purple, spotted with purple within, and furnished with
purple hairs directed backwards, the pouch oblong, blunt, with an
expanded mouth, and two erect ear-like angles projecting upwards and
outwards, pale green, freely stained with purple. _Staminode_ large,
depressed, obovate bifid, with a blunt spur near the base, green,
whitish at the edge, hairy.
Cypripedium Parishii, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Flora_, 1869, 322; _Id._
in _Gardeners' Chronicle_, 1869, 814, with a woodcut; _Hooker fil._,
_Botanical Magazine_, t. 5791; _Williams_, _Orchid Grower's Manual_, 5
ed., 156.
The genus _Cypripedium_ is now an extensive family of Orchids in which
many new species and varieties are constantly appearing, some of them
importations, but many of them the results of the well-applied skill of
the hybridiser, through whose agency some really good and interesting
additions to the older kinds have been, and are being made. It forms a
most useful group of Orchids, most of them being of easy cultivation,
and the flowers lasting a long time if due care is taken of them. Some
Orchid growers discard them because of the stiff and formal outlines of
their flowers. That character certainly does not apply to the Moulmein
species we now introduce to our readers, as it is of a singularly
graceful appearance, as may be seen from our sketch. The illustration
was taken from a fine spike that was forwarded to us by A. Paul, Esq.,
Gilmore Place, Edinburgh, a gentleman who has a very good collection,
and is one of those amateurs who are fond of, and takes a personal
interest in their plants. Mr. Paul has exhibited some well-grown
specimens at the Edinburgh shows during the past few years, and has
taken some of the highest honours.
_Cypripedium Parishii_ was discovered and introduced by the Rev. C.
Parish, after whom Professor Reichenbach has named it; most of the
plants originally collected, with many other Orchidic rarities, being,
it would appear, destroyed by the unruly elephants, who threw off their
loads, and trampled them under foot. It is an evergreen herbaceous
plant, of good habit, with deep green foliage, about a foot in length.
The flower-spike proceeds from the centre of the young growths when
nearly completed, and bears several flowers, sometimes as many as six,
the sepals being broad and greenish like the lip, and the petals long,
undulated, greenish white at the base, the upper portion deep purple,
and the margin furnished with hairy warts. It blooms during the summer
and autumn months, according as the completion of its growth may take
place earlier or later in the season; and the blossoms last for several
weeks in perfection.
The plant thrives when grown in the East India house. We have also found
it to do well at the warmest end of the Cattleya house. It does best
when grown in a pot, with good fibrous peat or good loam, mixed with
lumps of charcoal, and with thorough drainage. It requires a liberal
supply of water during the growing season, and when at rest should not
be kept dry, since it has no thick fleshy bulbs to support the foliage,
and, moreover, it is nearly always growing.
This species may be propagated by dividing the plant after it has
started into growth, leaving one old-established crown at the back of
the young growth; place the divided parts in small pots until they are
established, and then remove them into larger ones as they require it,
but avoid overpotting them.
[Illustration: PL. 87.
VANDA TRICOLOR PLANILABRIS.]
VANDA TRICOLOR PLANILABRIS.
[Plate 87.]
_Native of Java._
Epiphytal. _Stem_ erect, leafy, as in the type. _Leaves_ distichous,
ligulate, oblique at the apex, of a very dark green colour. _Scapes_
lateral, erect, green, bearing a dense raceme of eight to twelve
flowers, of which the pedicels are white. _Flowers_ very stout in
texture, and beautifully coloured, white exteriorly; _sepals_
leathery, roundish-obovate, clawed or cuneately narrowed at the base,
citron-yellow, with crowded reddish-brown spots, longitudinally
arranged, especially in the median parts, more irregular but with the
longitudinal tendency near the margin; _petals_ of similar form and
substance, rather narrower at the base, marked with linear blotches on
the claw-like portion, and with rounder and more spot-like markings on
the broader surface; _lip_ contracted in the middle, having two short
white rounded lateral lobes at the base, and a large oblong front
lobe, with projecting auricles above the purple-striped claw, flat,
with the broader and bluntly rounded apex emarginate, the basal
portion deep magenta-purple, the upper portion beyond the contraction
a paler tint of the same, and the disk marked with five white lines,
of which the central one is longer, and extends half-way to the
emarginate apex. _Column_ thick, white.
Vanda tricolor planilabris, _Lindley_, _Paxton's Flower Garden_, ii.,
t. 42, in note; _Id._ _Folia Orchidacea_, art. _Vanda_, No. 10.
This species is one of the most beautiful of the Vandas, and comprises
many varieties which differ much both in form and colour--sufficiently
so, we think, to justify the adoption of distinctive names; but the
botanists tell us that we must take them as varieties of _Vanda
tricolor_, and distinguish them from each other as best we may. That
which we are now about to figure and describe, is very distinct in the
form of its flowers, as well as in colour, from the typical _V.
tricolor_, represented at Plate 77. The plant from which our drawing was
taken is a very fine specimen in the collection of Joseph Broome, Esq.,
Woodlawn, Didsbury, near Manchester, who is not only a great lover of
plants, but also one who does much for the general advancement of the
interests of horticulture.
_Vanda tricolor planilabris_ is a plant having a stately habit of
growth; it is furnished with dark green foliage, and produces its
flower-spikes on each side of the plant, from the axils of the
two-ranked leaves, at different times of the year, usually bearing from
seven to ten flowers on a spike. The sepals and petals are yellow,
thickly marked with rich brown spots; the lip is rose colour, margined
with purplish mauve, and striped with chocolate-brown. It continues for
at least six weeks in perfection.
The plant requires the same treatment as that recommended for the allied
plants under Plate 77, where a full account of these Vandas will be
found.
Odontoglossum lyroglossum.--We received a fine spike of flowers of this
rare Odontoglossum from E. Harvey, Esq., Aigburth, Liverpool,
accompanied by a drawing of the same from the pencil of Miss
Harvey--which latter we have returned, and for the use of which we beg
to tender her our best thanks. It is a very pretty and interesting
species. The spike bore eight blossoms, of which the sepals and petals
were of a pale yellow, spotted with chestnut-brown, and the lip also
yellow, with large brown spots in the centre.
We had the opportunity of seeing Mr. Harvey's collection of Orchids when
at Liverpool in December last, when we found many of them in bloom, and
among them some rare species, as well as good varieties of Cattleyas,
Dendrobes, Lælias, and other genera. There was besides a fine assortment
of Odontoglossums, some of which--good ones--were in blossom, and many
others were showing flower-spikes. They were in excellent health, and
made a nice display. In addition to the Orchids we found there a grand
collection of Hardy Alpine Plants, which are well cared for, and in the
spring and summer months must form a very interesting feature of the
garden.--B. S. W.
Phalænopsis Mariæ, _Burbidge_ Plate 80.--We have been requested by
Professor Reichenbach to mention that there exists some misapprehension
as to the above quoted name, which was not given by him, as stated in
the text which accompanies Plate 80, but was used by Mr. Burbidge, who
dedicated the plant to his wife on the very spot where he found it, in a
little Sondaic island. "I have, indeed," he adds, "accepted the name,
but of course left the publication to the author; had I named the plant,
I would have published it in the _Gardeners' Chronicle_. It is painful
to me to write thus, but to justify myself I must do so; for now-a-days
one is frequently worried with prescriptions how some unknown plant must
be named provided it be new, and I have always declined to name plants
in honour of ladies whom I have never seen, and who do not, so far as I
know, stand in any special relation to plants."
[Illustration: PL. 88.
CATTLEYA LABIATA.]
CATTLEYA LABIATA.
[Plate 88.]
_Native of Brazil._
Epiphytal. _Stems_ (pseudobulbs) short, club-shaped, furrowed when
old, invested by greyish membraneous sheaths, one-leaved. _Leaves_
coriaceous, oblong obtuse, of a dark green. _Scape_ issuing from an
elongate oblong compressed double sheath, of a paler green than the
leaves. _Flowers_ two to five--usually about three--on each spike,
large though not equalling in size many of the forms of _C. Mossiæ_,
the lip very richly coloured; _sepals_ lanceolate, acute, plane and
entire at the margin, recurved at the apex, of a very pale delicate
tint of rosy blush; _petals_ of the same colour, but three times as
broad, ovate, bluntish at the apex, the margin undulated; _lip_
obovate, with the two sides connivent over the column, of the same
delicate blush tint as the sepals and petals, the front part beyond
the tubulose portion expanded (about two inches broad and long),
rounded, deeply emarginate, almost wholly of a very rich lustrous deep
magenta-purple, a broad bar of which is continued towards the base
down the centre of the tube, and on each side of this bar at the mouth
of the tube is a roundish-oblong patch of creamy yellow, which becomes
paler as it spreads towards the edge; the margin neatly and densely
frilled, and having at the extreme edge a narrow border of pale rosy
blush, which is continued around the whole of the richly-coloured
front lobe. _Column_ clavate, semi-terete, shorter than the tube.
Cattleya labiata, _Lindley_, _Collectanea Botanica_ t. 33; _Id._,
_Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants_, 116; _Id._, _Botanical
Register_, t. 1859; _Id._, _Paxton's Flower Garden_, t. 24
(varieties); _Hooker_, _Exotic Flora_, t. 157; _Id._, _Botanical
Magazine_, t. 3998; _Loddiges_, _Botanical Cabinet_, t. 1956;
_Paxton's Magazine of Botany_, iv., 121; _Van Houtte_, _Flore des
Serres_, tt. 1893-4; _Jennings' Orchids_, t. 45; _Williams_, _Orchid
Grower's Manual_, ed. 5, 122.
Epidendrum labiatum, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Walpers' Annales
Botanices Systematicæ_, vi., 313 (var. _a. genuinum_).
This fine species has been known in England since 1818, and _Cattleya
Loddigesii_ excepted (originally grown as _Epidendrum violaceum_), was
the first Cattleya introduced and the type of the genus, which was named
in compliment to W. Cattley, Esq., of Barnet. There are two or three
varieties of the autumn-flowering _C. labiata_, the one having foliage
of a light green, and the other of a darker green with the under side of
the leaf also darker-coloured than in the first. It is the same in the
case of _C. (labiata) Warnerii_, the sub-species named in honour of Mr.
R. Warner, the two forms of which may be easily distinguished from the
typical _C. labiata_, since they generally bloom in May and June. There
are many wonderful sub-varieties of _C. Warnerii_, both as regards the
colour of lip and the size of the flowers, and some of these have been
sold by collectors as the true autumn-flowering _C. labiata_, though
that is easily distinguished from _C. Warnerii_ by those who really know
the two plants.
We have been cultivating Orchids for nearly forty years, and have never
known the original _C. labiata_ to be imported during that period. It is
this that makes it so scarce, and causes it to fetch the high prices
that it does. Another reason is, that it blossoms when few Cattleyas are
in flower, _i.e._, in October and November, and so every grower desires
to possess it. We remember many years ago seeing plants of this species
two feet in diameter in the collection of R. Hanbury, Esq., The Poles,
near Ware. Mr. Hanbury had a wonderful specimen in his first collection,
which went to Germany. Many other such plants were to be seen in those
days; and it would appear that these plants have been divided, and
distributed among growers. It is greatly to be regretted that our
collectors do not again discover its habitat.
The specimen we now illustrate is from a well-grown plant in the fine
collection of H. Gaskell, Esq., Woolton Wood, Woolton, Liverpool, where
it bloomed with five very fine flowers on a spike. A most wonderful and
lovely spike it was, and we regret not being able to depict it full
size, in order to show off its beauty.
There is another variety of _C. labiata_ that blooms in August, and is
very distinct from the old variety referred to above both in the colour
of its flowers and its foliage; it is called _C. labiata pallida_. There
are two very fine plants of this variety in the collection of the Comte
de Germany, Chateau de Gouville, near Rouen, in France; each plant has
over a hundred bulbs--a grand sight when in bloom.
_Cattleya labiata_ is an evergreen plant, and is also one of the most
free-flowering Cattleyas we have in cultivation, since every good growth
brings its blossoms, a strong one, producing a spike of five flowers
from a double sheath. The individual flowers are of large size, the
sepals and petals pale soft rosy-pink, the lip rich magenta, margined
with light rosy-pink, and the sides of the throat orange-yellow; they
last in their freshness and beauty for some three or four weeks. This
species requires the same treatment as _C. Mossiæ_, that is, to be
planted in good fibrous peat, and to have perfect drainage; it will grow
either in a pot or in a basket, and requires a moderate supply of water
during the growing season, which is in the spring and summer months. In
winter, when the plants are at rest, they merely require sufficient
moisture to keep the bulbs and leaves in a plump state; but it is very
detrimental to Cattleyas to keep them too dry, as this often causes them
to shrivel and turn yellow, and when this occurs it takes a long time to
recover their healthy condition. We do not agree with over-watering or
over-potting Cattleyas--both practices are extremely dangerous,
especially the use of too much material about the roots, which becomes
soddened by the necessary moisture, and causes the roots to decay. If
the plants should fall into this misfortune, they should be completely
shaken out of the material used, their roots well washed, and then be
potted in crocks until they make fresh roots. They must be kept in a
shady place during the continuance of this _régime_, and until they
appear to have regained their vigour, after which they may be allowed
all the light obtainable.
[Illustration: PL. 89.
EULOPHIA GUINEENSIS PURPURATA.]
EULOPHIA GUINEENSIS PURPURATA.
[Plate 89.]
_Native of West Tropical Africa._
Terrestrial. _Pseudobulbs_ short, roundish-ovate, marked near the apex
with one or two annulate scars, indicating the bases of former leaves.
_Leaves_ with an oblong-oblanceolate acuminate blade six inches long,
narrowed below into a petiole of about half the length, somewhat
plicate. _Scape_ arising from the base of the pseudobulb, twelve to
fifteen inches high, including the _raceme_ of seven to ten flowers,
furnished at intervals with pale brown sheathing bracts, which become
smaller upwards. _Flowers_ pedicellate, spurred, remarkable for their
narrow dark sepals and petals and their broad highly-coloured lip;
_sepals_ about an inch long, linear acuminate, deep rosy purple, the
lateral ones spreading horizontally; _petals_ directed upwards between
the erect dorsal and the spreading lateral sepals, and similar to them
in size, form, and colour; _lip_ three-lobed, the front lobe
roundish-ovate pointed, about an inch and a quarter in length and in
breadth, wavy at the margin, of a rich bright magenta, traversed by
deep crimson flabellate veins, which become deep rosy purple as they
converge towards the base when they suddenly stop, the extreme base
being white; the side lobes are short and blunt, of a blush. _Spur_
slender, deep purple, three-fourths of an inch long. _Column_ bent
forward, rosy purple, slightly keeled at the back.
Eulophia guineensis purpurata, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Kotschy's
Plantæ Binderianæ Niloticæ Æthiopiceæ_, 3; _Kotschy_, _Plantæ
Tinneanæ_, 63.
_Eulophia_ is a small genus of Orchids of which a few species are known
in cultivation. The one we now describe is a most beautiful and distinct
variety of a species which was cultivated many years since, and one that
everyone may admire. Our drawing was taken from a specimen in the grand
collection of Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P., Burford Lodge, Dorking.
It is a very rare plant, and is most difficult to import from its native
habitats. It is also supposed to be difficult to establish, but it is so
rare that few persons have had the opportunity to try it. Sir Trevor
Lawrence manages to cultivate it very successfully, and we have also
seen it well grown in the Collection of H. Shaw, Esq., of Buxton, who
has also flowered it. We have heard of very few other plants, and,
therefore, we should like to see a good importation of it, as many
cultivators would, we are quite sure, be glad to possess such a gem.
_Eulophia guineensis purpurata_ produces small oval-shaped pseudobulbs,
and has light green plicate foliage, ten inches or a foot in height. The
flower stem is produced from the base of the bulb with the young
growths, and reaches to a height of eighteen inches, terminating in a
spike of ten or more flowers. The sepals and petals are brownish purple,
veined with a darker brown, and the lip is magenta-rose, veined with a
darker magenta, the throat being white. It blooms in September and
October.
Being a terrestrial Orchid it is best grown in a pot, with good fibrous
loam, leaf soil, and sharp river sand; a little charcoal should be mixed
with the soil, and good drainage is essential, since a moderate supply
of water during the growing season is needed. When at rest only just
enough water should be given to keep the bulbs plump. We have found it
do well in the Cattleya house, placed as near the light as possible, but
shaded from the hot sun. The leaves being thin they are apt to scorch.
It is propagated by dividing the pseudobulbs, leaving one old pseudobulb
along with the new one.
Odontoglossum triumphans.--We have received, through the post, from J.
Gordon, Esq., Aikenhead, Cathcart, near Glasgow, flowers of two distinct
varieties of this beautiful species, varying both in size and in hue.
One variety was of large size, and very bright in colour, the sepals and
petals being of a clear golden yellow, barred and spotted with
brownish-crimson, and the lip white, with the throat yellow, and the
apical portion brownish-crimson. The other variety was smaller, and as
Mr. T. Hogg, the gardener, informs us, was from a pseudobulb with two
spikes bearing twenty-nine expanded flowers; in this the sepals and
petals were nearly all brownish-crimson, with very little golden yellow,
the lip white, with a large irregular blotch of brownish-crimson on the
antical portion--B. S. W.
[Illustration: PL. 90.
ODONTOGLOSSUM CORADINEI.]
ODONTOGLOSSUM CORADINEI.
[Plate 90.]
_Native of New Grenada._
Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ elongate-ovate, compressed, somewhat ribbed,
usually diphyllous. _Leaves_ narrow, ligulate, or ligulate-oblong,
acuminate, of a deep green colour, an extra one or more sometimes
sheathing the base of the pseudobulbs. _Scape_ radical, with small
triangular bracts supporting a slender spreading raceme of nine to ten
flowers, which forms a neat spike of about a foot in length. _Flowers_
stellate, somewhat over three inches in breadth and length; _sepals_
lanceolate, tapered to a long narrow point, pale yellow, with about
two large irregular sometimes broken spots of chestnut-brown at some
distance from the base; _petals_ similar in form and colour, one inch
and a half long, marked with a large often bipartite spot at a
considerable distance from and one or two smaller spots nearer the
base; _lip_ shorter than the petals, obovate-oblong, apiculate,
contracted in the middle, paler yellow, with a squarish spot of
chestnut-brown on the middle or contracted portion, and a few spots or
blotches near the base, where there is a crest of two upcurved horns.
_Column_ whitish, semiterete, with brown blotches in the sub-rhomboid
wings, which are denticulate on the outer edge.
Odontoglossum Coradinei, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners'
Chronicle_, 1872, 1068, fig. 251; _Id._ _Xenia Orchidacea_, ii. 208,
t. 192, figs. 1-4.
This is one of the numerous imported forms of Odontoglots which are
supposed to be natural hybrids, many of which are so beautiful and so
much sought after, becoming greater favourites as time passes. We are by
no means surprised at the growing taste for this charming Orchidic
genus, since the plants are of easy culture, require nothing but cool
treatment, and their flowers, which are of long duration, are borne on
graceful spikes.
The form we now represent is distinct in colour, and comes in as a good
contrast with the varieties of _Odontoglossum Alexandræ (crispum)_--a
contrast which it should always be sought to establish in making a
collection, in order to produce a picturesque effect in the house, since
the different varieties when associated show each other off to
advantage.
The plant was found in New Grenada by the collectors Chesterton and
Coradine, and was named by request of the former (who has lately died)
in honour of his companion in travel. It appears to be a hybrid between
_Odontoglossum triumphans_ and some of the _O. odoratum_ group, and
would seem to be somewhat variable in character. The sketch we publish
was taken from a plant in the collection of Robert Warner, Esq.,
Broomfield, near Chelmsford, who has the largest and finest collection
of Odontoglots we have seen, extending to about twelve thousand plants.
In this collection we have seen many hundred spikes of _O. Alexandræ
(crispum)_--and other kinds in bloom at the same time, and, arranged as
they were in two long houses, the sight was a glorious one, never to be
forgotten. A similar magnificent display is obtained every year.
_Odontoglossum Coradinei_, which is very rare, forms a compact-growing
plant, furnished with lively green foliage, and producing its flowers,
about nine in number, on a drooping spike; the sepals and petals are
primrose colour, spotted with a warm brown, and the lip is primrose,
with an oblong spot of brown in the centre. The plant blooms during
winter, and lasts for several weeks in full beauty. It requires to be
grown in the cool house, and should have the same temperature and
treatment as _O. Alexandræ_.
Mr. Lee's Vandas.--We were favoured recently with a box of Orchid
flowers from W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead. The box contained
twenty-one grand spikes of varieties of _Vanda suavis_ and _V.
tricolor_, amongst which were some of the finest forms we have ever
seen. It was, indeed, a feast of Vandas to have so many fine varieties
side by side. Amongst the varieties of _V. tricolor_ were many
forms--from a pale variety with a whitish ground up to the most superbly
marked one of the series, which Mr. Lee calls the "Downside" variety.
The markings of this gem are very rich and distinct, the spots being
well defined, of a bright chestnut-brown, and the lips a rich magenta.
_V. tricolor Patersoni_ and _V. tricolor superba_ were quite in the
shade by the side of this great beauty. _V. tricolor Warnerii_ was also
grand, but of a different type to the last-mentioned plant, having rosy
margins around the sepals and petals; this plant is well figured in
Warner's _Select Orchidaceous Plants_.
Of _Vanda suavis_ there were some magnificent forms, one, marked Lee's
variety, being especially fine; this had thirteen flowers on the spike;
the sepals and petals were of fine form, with distinct pale
brownish-crimson spots. In some cases the spotting of this variety is
very peculiar, especially on the lower parts of the sepals and petals,
where the spots or stripes are from half an inch to three-fourths of an
inch long, rendering the markings very distinct.
Accompanying the Vandas was a fine variety of _Cattleya Mendelii_,
called _Jamesiana_, with rose-coloured sepals and petals, and a broad
well-fringed lip, two inches across, of a bright magenta, with the
throat yellow, streaked with dull purple; the petals are distinctly
blotched with bright magenta at the apex.--B. S. W.
[Illustration: PL. 91.
PHAJUS TUBERCULOSUS.]
PHAIUS TUBERCULOSUS.
[Plate 91.]
_Native of Madagascar._
Epiphytal. _Stems_ (pseudobulbs) fusiform or sub-clavate jointed, dark
green, annularly marked by the pallid bases of the leaf-sheaths.
_Leaves_ oblong-acuminate, about a foot long, plicate, narrowed below,
the base again enlarged so as to clasp the stems. _Scape_ produced
with the young growth, green, below bearing lanceolate imbricated
bracts, and terminating in an erect raceme of six or more flowers.
_Flowers_ spreading, two and a half inches across, of singular form;
_sepals_ ovate-acuminate, stoutish, pure white; _petals_ of the same
colour and texture as the sepals, but rather broader and more oblong;
_lip_ obliquely funnel-shaped at the base, with a blunt chin
projecting upwards, three-lobed; the two _basal lobes_ large,
suborbicular, meeting the column, yellow, thickly blotched with
irregular spots and dots of a dull crimson, producing a bronzy effect,
furnished with scattered hairs on the surface, wavy at the edge;
_front lobe_ smaller, roundish-emarginate or subcordate, wavy, white,
with rosy purple marginal spots, closely frilled; _disk_ yellowish
white, with three deep orange-yellow crests or ridges towards the
front, the crests bluntly toothed and wavy along the upper edge, the
central one forked about the middle; near the base, a short distance
from the column, is a small tuft of pale sulphur capitate hairs.
_Column_ slender, incurved, club-shaped, white, tinted with purple in
front.
Phaius tuberculosus, _Blume_, _Museum Botanicum Lugduno-Batavum_, ii.,
181; _Id._, _Orchidées de l'Archipel Indien et du Japon_, 13, t. ii.
B.; _Gardeners' Chronicle_, N.S., xv., 341, fig. 67; _Reichenbach
fil._, in _Gardeners' Chronicle_, N.S., xv., 428.
Limodorum tuberculosum, _Du Petit-Thouars_, _Orchidées recueillies sur
les trois Iles Australe d'Afrique_, t. 31.
Bletia tuberculosa, _Sprengel_, _Systema Plantarum_, iii., 744;
_Lindley_, _Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants_, 123.
The plant we are now about to describe, and of which a figure
accompanies these remarks, is one of the most beautiful and distinct yet
known, one, moreover, which has only bloomed in few collections. It is a
new introduction from Madagascar, and as yet is a very rare plant, being
difficult to import and also to establish, which is much to be regretted
on account of its beauty. Our plate was taken from a well-grown specimen
in the fine collection of Baron Schröder, of The Dell, Staines, where,
under the care of Mr. Ballantyne, the plant is very successfully
managed. Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P., has also been fortunate in
flowering it, and, indeed, it was first exhibited by him.
_Phaius tuberculosus_ produces short fusiform fleshy stems, from which
proceed the new growths, consisting of a tuft of plicate leaves, of
light green colour, and with them the flower spike, which is erect, and
has as yet only borne about half-a-dozen flowers on each. It blooms
during January and February, and is difficult to establish and
cultivate. As the plant gets better understood it may be found more easy
to import, and other growers may then be more successful. Many of the
imported plants have been lost through want of knowledge as to packing
and other requirements of travel; there is little doubt that our
collectors will be more successful as to these matters, and then we may
expect the plants to reach Europe in safety. We know of many Orchids
that were once considered difficult to import which are now obtained
safely in quantities through being sent at the proper season. If plant
collectors would study this point they would be very much more
successful than they have hitherto been. Of course it is difficult for
one to be on the spot at the moment when the plants have matured their
bulbs, and so as to get them to this country before they start into
growth, but if this could be done there would be more chance of saving
them.
There is another important point affecting cultivation, namely, that
more complete information where and how the plants are found in their
native habitats should be obtained and furnished. A great deal of the
success in the development of all these and other plants depends on
their proper treatment as regards the temperature and the supply of
moisture. If they are found in low-lying districts they require quite a
different treatment to that of those which occur in high and mountainous
districts.
Whenever we find a plant, as this is, difficult to cultivate, we should
endeavour to find out which house suits it best; this may easily be done
if we have different houses situate in different aspects, and even if
there is but one house a great deal can be done by placing the plant in
different positions in that house. If it does not succeed in one part it
may do so in another, and should it happen that a plant is found to
thrive well in a particular part, an endeavour should be made to keep it
there during its season of growth, and should it be removed during the
resting period let it be put back again the following season to make its
growth. There is more than many growers imagine in this matter of
setting plants in the places which they are found to like best. Some
cultivators, because they have succeeded for a few years, think they can
do as they please with a particular plant, but this is an error. We
often meet with cases in which persons have grown their plants well for
a few years, after which they go back. The cause is generally not far to
seek. It may often be attributed to over watering, or to keeping the
plants dry when they should have been moist, or to changing the
temperature, or allowing the plants to get dirty. There are various
other causes of non-success, such as acting on the advice of different
persons, rushing suddenly into different modes of treatment, using
different materials, or some other such-like practices. We have in our
time seen many new schemes tried, and have to record that many of them
have utterly failed.
[Illustration: PL. 92.
DENDROBIUM FINDLEYANUM.]
DENDROBIUM FINDLEYANUM.
[Plate 92.]
_Native of Moulmein._
Epiphytal, _Stems_ jointed, the joints oblong-pyriform, complanate,
two inches long or more, the lower part of each internode slender,
stalk-like, and invested by the leaf sheath, the upper end much
thickened, and at length becoming more or less furrowed. _Leaves_
linear oblong acute, three inches long, soon falling. _Peduncles_
lateral, two-flowered, with small appressed bracts. _Flowers_ rather
large, three inches across, showy, the colours being clear and
attractive; _sepals_ lanceolate, recurved, the lateral ones somewhat
broader, of a light purplish mauve colour, whitish towards the base;
_petals_ larger and more oblong, white at the base, and heavily tipped
with pale purplish mauve; _lip_ stilted, roundish-cordate, concave,
the sides meeting over the column, white, slightly tipped with purple,
the disk velvety, marked with a large roundish orange-yellow blotch,
paler at the edges, the basal callus obscure. _Column_ with two deep
purple hands in front.
Dendrobium Findleyanum, _Parish and Reichenbach fil._, in
_Transactions of the Linnæan Society_, xxx., 149; _Reichenbach fil._,
in _Gardeners' Chronicle_, N.S., vii. 334; _Hooker fil._, _Botanical
Magazine_, t. 6438.
The Dendrobes form a large and splendid group of Orchids, in which may
be found some of the finest examples of the Orchid family. The species
we have now the pleasure to bring before our readers is of recent
introduction, and is one of the most beautiful and distinct of the whole
family, not only as regards its flowers, which are very attractive, but
also on account of its very peculiar jointed stems, of which a better
idea will be obtained from our illustration than from any minute
description. The figure was taken from a beautiful plant grown in the
large collection of J. T. Peacock, Esq., Sudbury House, Hammersmith, who
is an enthusiastic collector and cultivator of plants, and has many
houses filled with Orchids, which are doing well under the care of Mr.
Vicary, the gardener.
_Dendrobium Findleyanum_ is a free-growing plant, and its curiously
knotted stems have a singular appearance. The blossoms are produced very
freely; the sepals and petals are white, tipped with pale magenta, while
the lip is white, with the apex rosy purple, and the throat or disk
yellow. It flowers during March and April, and lasts for two or three
weeks in beauty.
We find it does well in a pan or basket, suspended from the roof, in the
East India house, where it can receive all the light possible, and be
shaded slightly from the sun in summer. The material used about its
roots must be rough peat and sphagnum moss. It needs a liberal supply of
water during the summer season, and must be kept moist until it has
completed its growth, when less water may be given, just sufficient to
insure the plumpness of the stems.
Orchids at Summer House, Hammersmith, the Residence of J. T. Peacock,
Esq.--The collection of Orchids grown by Mr. Peacock is truly
surprising, as was the show of flower when we paid a visit to it in
March last. There were then many hundreds of blooming Orchids,
especially of _Phalænopsis_, of which there were in one house hundreds
of flowers of the different species and varieties, the drooping spikes
overhanging and mingling with each other, and presenting a striking
picture, some being snowy white, and others of different shades of mauve
colour; there were, moreover, some very good forms among them. In an
adjoining house were some very fine plants of _Dendrobiums_, such as _D.
Findleyanum_, _D. crassinode_, and _D. Wardianum_; also hundreds of
flowers of _D. Freemanii_. In the same range of houses we saw a fine lot
of _Odontoglossum vexillarium_, showing well for bloom. _O. Phalænopsis_
was doing well, which we do not often see. Of _O. Roezlii_ there were
many fine plants in good health, as there were also of _O. Alexandræ
(crispum)_, of which a great number were in bloom. _Cattleya citrina_
was well grown--better than we have seen it before; the plants were
suspended from the roof. _Lycaste Skinneri_, of which we found a huge
lot in bloom, were producing very fine flowers. We were surprised to see
such fine plants of _L. Skinneri alba_ in blossom. Mr. Peacock has been
very fortunate in flowering these from an importation, as it is a rare
and chaste variety. In the next house were many hundreds of
_Odontoglossum Alexandræ_ and _O. Pescatorei_, and other kinds; many of
them were in bloom, and among them were some good varieties.
We also noted some good East Indian Orchids, many plants of _Angræcum
sesquipedale_, and other kinds. There was a fine collection of
_Cattleyas_ in a large span-roofed house, amongst which were some good
forms of _C. Trianæ_ in full bloom; also a grand lot of _Cymbidium
eburneum_ in flower, the white blossoms with the graceful green foliage
having a good effect. There were several other houses filled with
Orchids. If Mr. Peacock continues as he has begun, he will presently
have the largest collection of these plants in the country. That this is
likely to be the case we may presume, for we saw several other new
houses intended for Orchids in the course of construction. Mr. Vicary,
the excellent gardener, is one who takes great interest in the
collection under his charge, and therefore we may expect that good
results will be assured.--B. S. W.
[Illustration: PL. 93.
CATTLEYA SCHOFIELDIANA.]
CATTLEYA SCHOFIELDIANA.
[Plate 93.]
_Native of Brazil._
Epiphytal. _Stems_ (pseudobulbs) from one to one and a half foot long,
slender, terete, slightly thickened near the top, jointed, the
internodes nearly covered by whitish membranous sheaths, diphyllous.
_Leaves_ oblong obtuse, about six inches long and two inches wide, of
a deep glossy green, shortly stalked, the stalks spotted behind with
dull dark red. _Flowers_ about two, large, six inches broad, and about
the same in depth, very handsome, in the way of those of _Cattleya
granulosa_; _sepals_ ligulate-oblong, bluntly acute, the dorsal one
over, the lateral ones rather under three inches long, nearly one inch
broad, of an Indian or pale tawny yellow, having a flush of purple and
a tinge of green, the whole spotted thickly with crimson-purple, the
spots most numerous on the outer half of each lateral sepal; _petals_
obovate, rounded at the apex, narrowed towards the base, about three
inches long and one and a half inch broad, of the same colour as the
sepals, the spots towards the edges coalescing in divergent, sometimes
forked, lines, which run out to the margin; _lip_ two and a half
inches long, three-lobed, the lateral lobes whitish, large, obliquely
ovate, meeting over the column, the middle lobe with a long narrow
claw, and a small transversely reniform fimbriated blade, which,
except at the pallid edges, is entirely covered by lamellæ and papulæ
of the most beautiful magenta-purple, the claw-like portion having a
dash of yellow in its ground colour. _Column_ whitish, curved, hidden
by the lateral lobes of the lip.
Cattleya Schofieldiana, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners' Chronicle_,
N.S. xviii., 808.
We have in cultivation many handsome species of _Cattleya_, but that now
before us is very distinct from any we have previously seen, and is
quite new to us. The growers of Orchids are all on the lookout for new
species, especially such as are distinct. We are, therefore, glad to be
able to bring such a beautiful and charming species as this, under the
notice of our readers. There are, indeed, numerous other fine Cattleyas
in cultivation, but many of them are much alike in form and colour. The
present type is, however, distinct, and embraces but few forms,
especially with blossoms of an equal size. Our illustration was taken
from a well-grown specimen in the select collection of G. W.
Law-Schofield, Esq., New-Hall-Hey, Rawtenstall, near Manchester, in
whose honour it was named by Professor Reichenbach. This is the only
plant of which we have any knowledge as existing in the country, and Mr.
Schofield has been truly fortunate in introducing it.
_Cattleya Schofieldiana_ is an evergreen species, with slender terete
stems, each bearing two leaves, about five inches in length and two in
breadth, of a dark green colour; the stems grow some eighteen inches in
height. In its growth this plant resembles _C. amethystoglossa_ and _C.
Leopoldii_, but it is not so robust. Mr. Wise, the gardener, grows it in
rough fibrous peat, giving good drainage. Pot culture suits this class
of Cattleyas best. They must be well elevated above the rim of the pot,
so that the roots may run over the surface, as, when buried in the peat,
if they get over-watered, they are apt to go rotten. A little charcoal
placed on the top of the peat is advantageous, as the roots lay hold of
it freely; and it is also desirable to mix a portion with the peat, as
it renders it more porous, and allows the water to pass off more freely,
thereby helping to keep the compost sweet. This latter is a matter of
great importance to the plants, for Cattleyas, like many other Orchids,
do not like the soil in which they are planted to set too closely
together to the exclusion of fresh air from their roots. There is no
doubt the access of fresh air keeps them in a more vigorous condition.
In support of this it may be noted that in their native country they are
found on trees, where they get a free circulation of air, their roots
being merely sheltered by the small quantity of moss or decayed leaves
from the trees which may collect about them, while many of them
luxuriate with their roots suspended in the air.
This _Cattleya_ is one of those which should always be kept plump in the
stems and leaves, for if allowed to shrivel it will be found difficult
to get them again into a plump healthy condition. Give all the light
possible, so that the stems may be well ripened. A great deal of success
depends upon the thorough maturation of the successive growths, for if
they are weak or immature they will produce but puny results. The plants
require the same temperature as _C. Trianæ_.
Cattleya Mossiæ.--We have lately received from De Barry Crawshay, Esq.,
Sevenoaks, flowers of a fine series of varieties of _Cattleya Mossiæ_.
The flowers were all large and very richly marked, some of the colours
being exceedingly distinct, and the lips very large.--B. S. W.
Dendrobium Dearei.--We were agreeably surprised to see this novelty
exhibited by Sir T. Lawrence, Bart., at the Summer Show of the Royal
Horticultural Society. The flowering bulb was two feet six inches high,
and was furnished with two spikes of flowers. This species seems to
differ from the _formosum_ section of the genus, by throwing out lateral
as well as terminal spikes. The flowers were about thirty in number,
pure white, with a slight tinge of green in the throat. In shape they
resemble those of _D. Jamesianum_, but they are somewhat smaller.--H. W.
[Illustration: PL. 94.
ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ GUTTATUM.]
ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ GUTTATUM.
[Plate 94.]
_Native of New Grenada._
Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ ovate-oblong, compressed, green while young,
becoming tinged with purple as they grow older, diphyllous, with one
or two accessory ones from the base of the pseudobulbs, bright green.
_Racemes_ proceeding from the axils of the accessory leaves, drooping.
_Flowers_ crowded, white, beautifully spotted with bright
chocolate-red, nearly four inches across; _sepals_ lanceolate, crispy,
white, with a few bold spots and blotches of chocolate-red about the
middle part; _petals_ broader and more wavy, with a solitary nearly
central spot on each; _lip_ oblong, subcordate at the base, much
crisped at the margin, the apex recurved so as to produce an
emarginate appearance, white, slightly dashed with yellow on the disk,
where there are a few longitudinal lines and a series of radiate lines
of light red-brown, and two divergent yellow crests, the margins half
way down being marked by confluent blotches and a few largish spots
both on the edge and on the surface towards the front. _Column_ white,
slightly spotted with brown.
Odontoglossum Alexandræ guttatum, _Hooker fil._, _Botanical Magazine_,
t. 5697: _Williams_, _Orchid Grower's Manual_, 5 ed., 229.
There are many varieties of this charming Orchid with spotted flowers,
differing in the size of the blossoms and in the colour and amount of
the spotting, which are cultivated under different varietal names, but
the representation of the one we have now the pleasure of illustrating
will, we hope, be the means of inducing growers to range some of them as
forms of _guttatum_ instead of so greatly multiplying names, which
becomes inconvenient. We know that some of them are more distinct from
the type than others, but the fewer names we can use the more easy and
satisfactory will it be both for growers and purchasers.
We are indebted to R. Smith, Esq., Brentham Park, Stirling, for the
magnificent spike of flowers from which our plate was prepared. We much
regret not to have been able to represent it of its full size and its
natural branching habit, but our artist has given enough to show that it
is one of the most beautiful of the many named varieties. There was a
fine collection of Orchids at Brentham Park, which we regret to find is
to be broken up on account of Mr. Smith's health.
_Odontoglossum Alexandræ guttatum_ is a compact-growing plant, with
lively green foliage, and it produces branching spikes furnished with
many flowers. When well grown, as this plant was, by Mr. McLeod, the
sepals and petals it will be seen are pure white, profusely spotted with
bright chocolate-red, while the lip is white, densely spotted with the
same colour. It blooms at different times of the year, according to the
maturation of its growth, and lasts for six weeks in perfection if the
flowers are kept dry. Too much moisture causes them to spot, so that it
is better, if possible, to move them when in flower to a drier house,
but while under these altered conditions the soil should be kept moist,
as the plants require a good supply of fluid about their roots to
prevent them from shrivelling. The best plan is to cut off the spike of
flowers and to place it in water, as when treated in this way it will
last a long time. It requires the same treatment as _O. Alexandræ_.
Lord Rendlesham's Orchids.--We were recently favoured with a box from
Rendlesham Hall, containing the following flowers:--_Lycaste Skinneri
amabilis_. In this the flowers were very large, six and a half inches
across, the petals two inches long, bright rosy crimson, the sepals pale
blush, and the lip white, irregularly margined with bright crimson.
_Lycaste Skinneri_, a fine variety, with two flowers to a scape, the
sepals rose, the petals well recurved, bright rose, and the lip
indistinctly spotted with bright rosy crimson. _Cattleya citrina_, a
very large variety, the petals two and a half inches long and one and a
half inch broad, canary yellow, beautifully scented, the lip bright
gamboge, _Odontoglossum Alexandræ_, a grand variety, three and
three-quarter inches across, the sepals rose coloured, both sepals and
petals marked in the centre with distinct reddish-brown blotches,
_i.e._, one blotch to each, five in all; petals almost white, lip
profusely marked with small irregular spots. This is one of the most
distinct varieties we have seen.--B. S. W.
High-priced Cattleyas.--At a recent sale at Stevens's Auction Rooms, on
the occasion of the distribution of the late Mr. R. B. Dodgson's
Orchids, enormous prices were realised for some of the established
plants. _Cattleya Trianæ Osmanii_, a variety named some years ago by
ourselves, realised the sum of 215 guineas, and was purchased for our
own collection. _Cattleya Trianæ Dodysonii_ realised 185 guineas, end
was purchased by W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead. We hope on some
future occasion to figure both these gems.--B.S.W.
Cattleya Skinneri oculata.--During a recent visit to the Collection of
Orchids belonging to G. Hardy, Esq., Pickering Lodge, Timperley, we
noticed a grand specimen of this splendid variety. There were seven
spikes on the plant, some carrying as many as ten flowers; the colour
was an intense mauve-magenta. Mr. Hardy grows this Cattleya extremely
well. We also noticed a grand lot of Cattleyas coming on, especially _C.
Warnerii_ and _C. Mossiæ_, together with some fine examples of _Lælia
purpurata_, showing well for flower.--H. W.
[Illustration: PL. 95.
CYPRIPEDIUM MEIRAX.]
CYPRIPEDIUM MEIRAX.
[Plate 95.]
_Garden hybrid._
Epiphytal. Acaulescent. _Leaves_ distichous, coriaceous,
oblong-lanceolate, acute, the upper surface of a dull dark green,
faintly mottled with transverse markings, the underside of a dull wine
purple. _Scape_ (peduncle) densely hairy, dark purple, with a short
boat-shaped purplish-green bract at the base of the six-ribbed ovary.
_Flowers_ medium-sized, solitary on the peduncle; _sepals_ hairy
externally, glabrous and glossy within; the dorsal one broad ovate,
about an inch in breadth, ciliate at the base, and fringed at the edge
with whitish hairs, blush-white, with a stout central dark purple
stripe, having on each side a short green one, and beyond that five
others graduated in length, and of a greenish-purple colour, the
central rib more prominently hairy at the back and tip; lower connate
sepal oblong-ovate obtuse, whitish, with seven green ribs or veins;
_petals_ linear-oblong, broadest upwards, two inches long and about
half an inch broad, plane at the base, recurvo-undulate at the tip,
the upper side (half) glossy, of a deep claret-purple, streaked with
green at the base, somewhat ribbed, ciliate with purple hairs, the
central rib stouter, purple, with a few round black spots distributed
along its base, the lower half of the same colour but less glossy;
_lip_ rather large, oblong, an inch and three-quarters long, polished,
the sides purple, deeply inflexed and extended at the base like a pair
of ears, the front part green and veiny towards the tip, with a short
purple rib, deep purple towards the edge; the inside of the pouch
yellowish-tawny, beautifully spotted with crimson. _Staminode_ large,
roundish, deeply notched in front, dull purplish-tawny, with green
veiny markings in the centre, shining as if varnished, thickly studded
with short stiff hairs.
Cypripedium Meirax, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners' Chronicle_,
N.S. xiv., 524.
This is one of the many hybrids that have been raised in this country,
and which we owe to the handiwork of cultivators. It must be highly
gratifying to those who devote their time and skill to so interesting a
pursuit as the origination of new varieties, to witness the success of
their labours, and we are greatly indebted to those amateurs and
nurserymen who have so successfully carried out this process of
hybridisation. Some of the new forms produced may be disappointing, but
others are in every way encouraging, by yielding fresh forms and
colours, and in this way, through careful selection, many beautiful
flowers are originated. In their native country the wild plants are no
doubt crossed by insects, but in such cases there are, perhaps,
comparatively few forms growing sufficiently near together, and even
those not all flowering at one time. The artificial hybridiser has the
advantage of more abundant material to operate upon, and he can seize
the most favourable opportunities for crossing various forms and colours
from different localities; while by growing them together, and getting
them into flower at the same time, the operation can be performed with a
greater prospect of securing good results. We, therefore, hope that this
useful and interesting work will be carried on with spirit by our
amateur orchidophilists.
There is no class of Orchids more useful than that which forms the
subject of our plate. The flowers of the Cypripediums in most cases will
last a long time, and the plants are, moreover, of easy cultivation,
requiring but little room, and most of them possessing perennial beauty
in their nicely variegated foliage. The hybrid we now figure was raised
by R. Warner, Esq, Broomfield, Chelmsford, from whom we have procured
the stock. It was raised in company with several others, which have
proved to be most beautiful and free-blooming subjects, but of which the
parentage has not been noted.
_Cypripedium Meirax_ was named by Professor Reichenbach. It is a
small-growing form, as will be seen by our plate, but it produces good
showy flowers, the dorsal sepal being broad, white, with green and
purple veins, the petals purplish-crimson with green nerves, and the lip
veined and barred with purple. It blossoms during the winter and spring
months, according as it completes its growth, and the flowers last six
weeks or more in perfection.
The plants require the same treatment as those of the _C. barbatum_
section. The most suitable material for growing them in is rough fibrous
peat, having a small quantity of charcoal interspersed; they must have
good drainage, as they need a good supply of water during the growing
season, which follows the blooming period, and while they are making
their growths they require more water. They will thrive either in the
Cattleya house or the cool end of the East India house, near the light;
but they must be shaded from the hot sun in summer. A little sun heat,
however, will not injure them.
The Cypripediums of this character are propagated by dividing the plants
when they begin to grow, leaving one or two old growths at the back. The
divided parts should be potted in small pots until they are rooted, and
then, should they require it, larger ones may be given to them.
Insects should be kept under. Sometimes the red thrips will attack the
young leaves; this should be well sought after, for if it gets ahead the
leaves will soon turn brown, and get very much disfigured, the plant,
moreover, getting injured. A little tobacco powder applied to the leaves
is a good remedy. When the insects are found to be destroyed it can
easily be washed off.
[Illustration: PL. 96.
ONCIDIUM PHALÆNOPSIS.]
ONCIDIUM PHALÆNOPSIS.
[Plate 96.]
_Native of Ecuador._
Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ oblong, furrowed, about two inches long, of a
dark green colour, with abortive leaves at their base. _Leaves_
ligulate, broadest upwards, acute, somewhat narrowed and channelled
towards the base, six to eight inches long or more, pale green.
_Racemes_ from the axils of the abortive leaves at the base of the
bulbs, the flowers seated on longish pedicels having small appressed
bracts at their base. _Flowers_ narrow-oblong in outline, an inch and
a half or more in length, and a little over an inch broad, the lip
comparatively large and conspicuous; _sepals_ three, the dorsal one
oblong, acute, venosely marbled with purple, and having a white
margin, the lateral ones of the same colours, concealed by the lip,
oblong-lanceolate, united in the lower half and directed downwards;
_petals_ spreading, oblong-obovate apiculate, white, with two or three
broad transverse blotches of deep rich purple, the apex white; _lip_
pandurate, an inch long by an inch and a half broad, three-lobed, the
lateral lobes broad, rounded, white, flushed with purple and spotted
with dark purple-crimson, the middle lobe dilated, deeply bilobed,
spotted at the narrow basal part, but almost wholly white in the
broader front part, the disk, with a prominent yellow crest, having
two projections at the base, and two acute lateral arms in front, with
an elevated angular keel between. _Column_ short, with the sides of
the lower edges rounded, green at the tips, the apex and margins of
the stigmatic hollow purple.
Oncidium Phalænopsis, _Linden and Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners'
Chronicle_, 1869, 416; _E. André_, _L'Illustration Horticole_, 3 ser.,
t. 3.
The Oncids form a large genus of Orchids, some of which are
large-growing plants with showy flowers. They form a most useful group,
and many of them are of easy cultivation, especially the large-growing
kinds, which we find in the older collections of Orchids, these being
cultivated for their long spikes of golden blossoms, which are useful
for cutting purposes, and where large vases of flowers have to be
supplied the graceful effect produced by their light airy panicles and
their bright colours is very charming.
The species we have now to bring under notice is of the small-growing
section, and requires more care and attention than some others, being
one of those kinds which are more difficult to cultivate. This section
contains many beautiful plants. Our specimen was received from the
well-grown collection of E. Salt, Esq., Ferniehurst, Shipley, near
Leeds, who has been successful in growing this rare species, which is
not often met with.
_Oncidium Phalænopsis_ is a compact evergreen plant, with small
pseudobulbs and light green leaves about eight inches in length. The
flower spike proceeds from the base of the pseudobulbs, and bears six or
more blossoms. The sepals and petals are creamy white, barred and
spotted with purple; the lip is large, white, spotted at the base with
violet-crimson, and the crest is golden-yellow. These flowers last a
long time in beauty.
The plant requires great care in cultivation, like many others of its
class, but it is worth all the care bestowed upon it. We have found it
grow well in small pots or pans with a little rough fibrous peat and
some lumps of charcoal, so that it may send its roots over the peat and
charcoal. The small-growing Orchids of this character do not like their
roots covered up, and when they are making new roots it is very
important that the insects should not be allowed to feed upon them, as
the plants require all their roots to be sound and good to keep them in
a healthy condition. They should be placed as much in the light as
possible, so that their growths may be strong and full of vigour. The
plants naturally grow on trees, in which position they get a great deal
of moisture during the rainy season, while in the dry season they get
heavy dews, and are shaded a little from the burning sun although they
get all the light possible. In our artificial treatment of these plants
we should give them their natural conditions as nearly as possible, for
by so doing we shall not go far away from the right course. We have
found the cool end of the Cattleya house to suit most of these
small-growing kinds.
We trust we may soon see a good importation of this rare _Oncidium_, so
that growers may have a chance to try their skill upon its cultivation.
The plants we have received at various times have been but small and
puny. If only growers could get over some strong vigorous clumps, they
would have a chance of making them into good specimens--an object which
is worth the effort, as the species is one of the most beautiful and
distinct of the family.