UNDER PLATE
Aërides Fieldingii, Dr. Ainsworth’s 4
Aërides Leeanum, Mr. Law-Schofield’s 37
Aërides odoratum majus, Mrs. Arbuthnot’s 14
Aërides Schröderii, Dr. Ainsworth’s 4
Aërides suavissimum, Mr. Coates’ 18
Angræcum eburneum virens 41
Angræcum sesquipedale, Mr. Coates’ 18
Angræcum superbum, _Du Pet.-Th._ 41
Bletia xanthina, _Rchb. f._ 23
Bollea cœlestis, as a block plant 40
Bolleas, Mr. Gair’s 17
Cattleya Dowiana, Mr. Dodgson’s 19
Cattleya Dowiana, Mr. Lee’s 2
Cattleya gigas, Mr. Bockett’s 6
Cattleya gigas, Mr. Lee’s 2
Cattleya labiata Lindigiana, _Karst._ 45
Cattleya labiata Trianæ, _Duch._ 45
Cattleya Leopoldii, _Hort. Versch._ 16
Cattleya superba, Sir T. Lawrence’s 3
Cattleya Trianæ, Mr. Wright’s 41
Cattleya Trianæ Dodgsoni 40
Cattleya Trianæ Osmani 40
Cymbidium eburneum, correction 29
Cypripedium barbatum superbum, Mr. Dodgson’s 4
Cypripedium insigne, Mrs Haywood’s 27
Cypripedium Spicerianum, Mr. Bockett’s 19
Cypripedium villosum, Mr. Wyatt’s 42
Cyrtochilum citrinum, _Hook._ 1
Dendrobium Ainsworthii, _Moore_ 20
Dendrobium Falconeri, Marquis of Lothian’s 44
Dendrobium Findleyanum, Mr. Bowring’s 32
Dendrobium Hillii, Mr. Wyatt’s 42
Dendrobium macranthum, _Hook._ 42
Dendrobium macrophyllum, _Lindl._ 42
Dendrobium nobile, a three-lipped 48
Dendrobium superbum (macrophyllum), Prince of Wales’ 36
Dendrobium Wardianum, Mr. Salamon’s 44
Dendrochilum filiforme, Mr. Hill’s 15
Epidendrum elatius, var., _Rchb. f._ 45
Epidendrum labiatum Trianæ, _Rchb. f._ 45
Epidendrum nemorale, Sir T. Lawrence’s 3
Lælia anceps Dawsoni, Mr. Dodgson’s 28
Lælia autumnalis atrorubens, Mr. Chamberlain’s 28
Lælia Dominiana rosea, _Hort. Veitch_ 12
Lælia elegans prasiata 40
Lælia Philbrickiana, _Hort. Veitch_ 5
Limodorum eburneum, _Bory._ 41
Masdevallia chimæra, Dr. Ainsworth’s 26
Masdevallia Harryana, _Rchb. f._ 24
Masdevallia Lindeni, _Hook._ 24
Masdevallia Lindeni Harryana, _André_ 24
Maxillaria citrina, _Lyons_ 7
Maxillaria cristata, _Lindl._ 34
Miltonia speciosa, _Kl._ 46
Odontoglossum Alexandræ, Dr. Ainsworth’s 26
Odontoglossum Alexandræ flaveolum, Mr. Hardy’s 34
Odontoglossum Alexandræ reginæ 48
Odontoglossum Bluntii, _Rchb. f._ 47
Odontoglossum crispum, _Lindl._ 47
Odontoglossum crispum flaveolum, _Rchb. f._ 43
Odontoglossum Londesboroughianum, Mr. Law-Schofield’s 27
Odontoglossum Roezlii, Mr. Todd’s 43
Odontoglossum vexillarium, Mr. Bull’s autumn-flowering variety 23
Odontoglossums at Trentham 43
Oncidium luridum purpuratum, _Lodd._ 32
Oncidium speciosum, _Rchb. f._ 46
Orchids, Dr. Ainsworth’s 26
Orchids, Mr. Dodgson’s 4
Orchids, Mr. Dorman’s 40
Orchids, Mr. Hardy’s 4
Orchids, Baron Schröder’s 22
Orchids at Arnot Hill 15
Orchids at Ferguslie 18
Orchids at Manchester, 1881 4
Orchids in Belgium, Dr. Boddaert’s 1
Orchids in Belgium, M. D. Massange’s 16
Orchids from Dr. Paterson 45
Orchids, from Perth, N.B. 48
Orchids, raised blinds for 35
Orchids, shading 30, 35
Pescatoreas, Mr. Gair’s 17
Phalænopsids, Mr. Bockett’s 11
Phalænopsis intermedia Portei, Baron Schröder’s 22
Phalænopsis Stuartiana, _Rchb. f._ 39
Restrepia antennifera, M. D. Massange’s 16
Rodriquezia candida, _Batem._ 18
Sphagnum, best kind for Odontoglots 43
Trichopilia suavis, _Lindl._ 14
Vanda Cathcartii, M. D. Massange’s 16
Vanda cœrulea, Marquis of Lothian’s 17
Vanda Lowii, Sir T. Lawrence’s 3
Vanda suavis, Dr. Ainsworth’s 4
Vanda suavis, Mr. Dodgson’s 4
Vanda tricolor, Mr. Broome’s 25
Vanda tricolor planilabris, M. Massange’s 16
Zygopetalum Klabochorum, _Rchb. f._ 17
[Illustration: PL. 1.
ONCIDIUM CONCOLOR.]
ONCIDIUM CONCOLOR.
[Plate 1.]
Native of the Organ Mountains of Brazil.
Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ small, tufted, ovate or ovate-oblong,
compressed, somewhat furrowed, two-leaved. _Leaves_ subcoriaceous,
oblong-linear or ligulate, acute, bright green. _Scape_ radical,
springing from the base of the young pseudobulbs, drooping, furnished
with small bracts. _Flowers_ yellow, racemose; _sepals_ (dorsal)
ovate-lanceolate or obovate, acute, the lateral ones smaller,
lance-shaped, and united behind the lip for about half their length;
_petals_ obovate, acute, somewhat undulated, about as long as the
sepals; _lip_ (labellum) large and prominent, roundish subpanduriform,
emarginate, somewhat clawed, furnished with a pair of plates or
lamellæ (bilamellate) at the base, of a clear yellow colour, as are
the sepals and petals. _Column_ about half as long as the petals, with
a projecting tooth on each side.
Oncidium concolor, _Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 3752; _Lindley_,
_Folia Orchidacea_, Art. _Oncidium_, No. 65 (excl. syn. Klotzsch);
_Reichenbach fil._ in _Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ_, vi.
731.; _Carrière_, in _Revue Horticole_, 1881, 30, with tab.
Cyrtochilum citrinum, _Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 4454.
The brilliant little plant here figured—a representation in the tribe
_Vandeæ_, of the great genus _Oncidium_—belongs to the group of Oncids
which Lindley named _Tetrapetala micropetala_, in which two of the
sepals are united so that the petaloid organs, as distinguished from the
lip, are reduced to four in number (_tetrapetala_), and at the same time
the petals, which are about equal in size to the sepals, are
comparatively small by comparison with the remaining organ.
This species, although not new, was until recently extremely rare, and
was, indeed, seldom met with in collections; now, however, the little
gem is very plentiful, thanks to the indefatigable zeal of our
collectors, so that growers who do not possess it may obtain it at a
very small cost. The species is one of the most compact-growing and
beautiful of the _Oncidiums_, producing, as it does, from the base of
the new bulbs, many-flowered drooping spikes of rich yellow blossoms. It
is an excellent subject for planting in a pan or basket to be suspended
from the roof of the house, where the brightly-coloured flowers produce
a charming effect; indeed, we do not know of any Orchid which has a
better appearance when grown in this way.
_Oncidium concolor_ succeeds best in a compost of peat with a little
sphagnum moss added, and with plenty of good drainage. We have grown it
most successfully in small pans, but it can be cultivated either in a
basket or on a block. It would succeed equally well in a pot, but the
drooping character of the flower-spikes renders it a most fitting
subject for growing in either of the above-named receptacles, and for
suspension from the roof. As to temperature, we find it succeeds best in
the Odontoglossum-house during the summer months. After it has flowered,
and while it is making its growth, a copious supply of water should be
given to it, always keeping the soil moist until the growth of the bulbs
is completed. When it has finished its growth, it should be removed to
the Cattleya-house, where it should be kept moderately dry until it
produces its spikes about March or April.
For exhibition purposes this is a most valuable little plant, being easy
of cultivation, distinct in colour, and flowering during the principal
exhibition months, May and June; its long lasting quality is also a
great point in its favour. In order to preserve the flowers for a
considerable time, they should be kept free from damp, for if allowed to
get wet they soon become spotted, and fade, but when kept in this way,
they will last at least six or seven weeks. The plant is altogether a
most valuable Orchid, and as it takes up but little room, we recommend
growers to procure a good stock of it, as its effect when suspended
among other flowering Orchids is charming.
Orchids in Belgium.—When in Ghent a few days ago, I had the good fortune
to receive an invitation to view the celebrated collection of Dr.
Boddaert of that city. The collection is a very extensive one, and the
plants are exceedingly well grown and healthy. There was a good show of
flowering Orchids, among which may be mentioned:—_Trichopilia crispa
marginata_ with forty-two expanded flowers, a marvel of cultivation;
_Odontoglossum Phalænopsis_ with twenty-six flowers, a fine well-grown
plant; _Cypripedium Argus_ with six flower spikes; the new _Trichopilia
suavis alba_, of which we hope to give a plate later on; _Anguloa
Ruckerii sanguinea_ with several flowers; also the rare _Nanodes
Medusæ_, with _Odontoglossums_, _Vandas_, _Masdevallias_, &c., in great
variety.
H. Williams.
[Illustration: PL. 2.
LÆLIA SCHRÖDERII.]
LÆLIA SCHRÖDERII.
[Plate 2.]
Native of Bahia.
Epiphytal. _Stems_ (or pseudobulbs) club-shaped, about a foot and a
half high, monophyllous, furrowed when mature. _Leaves_ coriaceous,
oblong, acute, broad to the base, light green. _Scape_ three to
four-flowered, issuing from a terminal oblong compressed bract, an
inch wide and five inches long. _Flowers_ large, subhorizontal, about
seven inches across, delicately coloured, with a prettily veined lip;
_sepals_ lanceolate, reflexed, three-fourths of an inch wide, white;
_petals_ convex, ovate, narrowed to the base, somewhat crispy at the
edge, pure white, scarcely as long as the lip; _lip_ (labellum)
membranaceous, three-lobed, the lateral lobes convolute around the
column, yellow outside, striped with deeper yellow veins, the middle
lobe ovate, obtuse, undulated, the anterior portion and margin white,
the mouth veined with magenta-rose, the disk naked, and the tubulose
basal portion deep yellow, veined with magenta. _Column_ much shorter
than the lateral lobes of the lip.
Lælia Schröderii, _supra_.
This plant belongs to that tribe of the Orchid family which is called
_Epidendreæ_, and of which the genus _Epidendrum_ is regarded as the
type. This group is known by its waxy pollen-masses, which are attached
to a distinct caudicle, but bear no separable stigmatic gland as occurs
in the tribe _Vandeæ_. The genus is closely related to _Cattleya_, and
contains some of the finest ornaments of our Orchid-houses.
The subject of our present illustration is a new and most beautiful
Orchid, now figured and described for the first time. It is closely
allied to _Lælia grandis_, but is distinct from that species, inasmuch
as the sepals and petals are white, whereas those of _L. grandis_ are of
a nankeen yellow. It is named in honour of Baron Henry Schröder, an
enthusiastic admirer of this handsome class of plants. The species
flowered for the first time this year, in the Victoria and Paradise
Nurseries.
The flowers are produced in May and June, three or four together, on
spikes which are produced from the apex of the new bulbs; they have a
delicate and pleasing appearance, the sepals and petals being pure
white, while the lip is white, striped with rose, throat deep yellow,
veined with magenta. It should be kept free from damp when in flower, as
the blossoms being of a delicate nature, soon spot and go off; but kept
in this way free from moisture they will last about four weeks in a
fresh and perfect state.
In growth the plant somewhat resembles _L. purpurata_, the bulbs and
foliage being about eighteen inches in height, and of a light green
colour. It succeeds well grown in the Cattleya-house in pots filled with
peat and a little sphagnum moss, over plenty of drainage. It should
receive a moderate supply of water at the root during the growing
season, and should never be allowed to get thoroughly dry. When it has
made its growth it should be allowed to rest, and at that time should be
kept rather dry, only giving it sufficient water to prevent it from
shrivelling.
_Lælias_ are subject to the attacks of white scale, but this can easily
be got rid of by sponging with clean water. Thrips sometimes attack the
young growths, and if allowed to increase, soon disfigure the leaves.
Cattleya gigas and C. Dowiana.—These _Cattleyas_ have been considered to
be shy-flowering species, and we have sometimes found them to be so in
our own experience, but we are beginning to change our opinion on this
subject. No doubt there are some plants that grow and flower more freely
than others, but a great deal depends on the conditions in which they
are placed and the treatment they receive. I recently had the pleasure
of visiting the collection of W. Lee, Esq., of Leatherhead, which in
time will be one of the finest to be seen in this country. The Estate is
situated in an open part of the country, and the Orchid-houses are built
on the side of a hill where they get the full light and sun, while they
are sheltered from the driving winds; these houses are, indeed, all that
can be desired, the requisitions of the various classes of plants having
been well studied. Every accommodation is provided for those kinds, such
as _Cattleya gigas_ and _C. Dowiana_, that are difficult to bloom. These
two were splendidly in flower, and are most lovely and distinct kinds;
the flowers of _C. gigas_ were nearly nine inches in diameter, the
sepals and petals of the purest dark rosy colour, and the lip a fine
rich dark crimson magenta. _C. Dowiana_ was also very fine and
attractive in colour, the sepals and petals being of a nankeen yellow,
and the lip of a rich dark purple, elegantly pencilled and striped with
lines of gold. We hope at some future time to give our readers a plate
of the fine variety of _C. gigas_ above referred to. Both these species
are here grown as near the light as possible, and the treatment they
receive is, first to induce a vigorous growth, and then to give them a
good rest after the growth is completed, at the same time keeping them
well exposed to the light, and giving them merely sufficient water to
prevent them from shrivelling, a more ample supply of water being given
as soon as they show signs of flowering. There was also in this
collection another species that is generally considered difficult to
grow, namely, _Vanda teres_, of which there were three plants which had
been blooming very finely. When cultivated as these are, they well repay
all the trouble taken with them. These are grown at one end of the
house, without any shade.—B. S. W.
[Illustration: PL. 3.
CATTLEYA MENDELII GRANDIFLORA.]
CATTLEYA MENDELII GRANDIFLORA.
[Plate 3.]
Native of the United States of Columbia.
Epiphytal. _Stems_ oblong, club-shaped, furrowed when mature, twelve
to eighteen inches high. _Leaves_ solitary coriaceous,
ligulate-oblong, acute, dark green above, paler beneath. _Scape_ three
to four-flowered, issuing from a terminal oblong compressed bract,
which is three to four inches long, and an inch broad. _Flowers_ very
large and exceedingly handsome, measuring eight inches across;
_sepals_ an inch wide, lanceolate, recurved, white; _petals_
spreading, clawed, broadly ovate, measuring nearly three inches
across, plane towards the base prettily frilled in the anterior
portion, the apex recurved, white, with a scarcely perceptible tint of
blush near the edge; _lip_ obovate emarginate, three and a quarter
inches long, the basal half entire, rolled over the column, the
anterior portion expanded and beautifully fringed, about two inches in
breadth and rather more in depth, the apical half occupied with a
solid blotch of rich magenta rose, passing to white at the frilled
edge, the side portions white, the disk and throat of a delicate tint
of nankeen yellow, the extreme base white, with numerous divergent
lines of magenta rose, a few of which (about two) run out to join the
blotch at the tip of the anterior lobe. _Column_ about half as long as
the convolute base of the lip, club-shaped, decurved, semiterete, with
a rounded keel at the back.