Cattleya labiata Trianæ, _Duchartre_, _Journal de la Société Impériale
d’Horticulture_, 1860, 369—fide _Reichenbach fil._
Epidendrum labiatum, _var._ Trianæ, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Walpers’
Annales Botanices Systematicæ_, vi., 315.
This very charming species of _Cattleya_ was first obtained from
Colombia for European gardens, in 1856, by Mr. Linden, to whom we are
indebted for so many choice introductions amongst exotic plants. It is
one of the best and most useful of the species, especially for winter
decoration, and though very variable as regards the tinting of the
flowers in the many distinct forms which have been imported, it is
always of a brilliant and strikingly beautiful appearance, owing to the
rich colouring displayed on the lip. The shades of colour in the several
kinds varies from pure White through blush white and pale pinkish rose
to a pale shade of deep rose, the upper lobe of the lip being of a rich
magenta-crimson.
There are, as we have just said, many forms of _Cattleya Trianæ_. That
which we now figure we consider to be a very good representative of the
typical form of the species. Our drawing was taken from a very fine
specimen grown in the beautiful collection of R. B. Dodgson, Esq., of
Beardwood, Blackburn, in which many forms of this lovely species occur,
as we have already intimated under Plate 40. We have also mentioned Mr.
Osman as being a most successful cultivator of Orchidaceous plants.
_Cattleya Trianæ_ is a free-growing as well as a free-blooming species.
It has dark green foliage, and attains the height of about fifteen
inches, producing its blossoms during the winter months, after the
growths are completed. The sepals and petals are of a pale pink or
delicate tint of rosy purple; the lip is of a bright magenta, margined
with delicate rose-pink, the edge being fringed, and the disk marked
with a rich orange-coloured two-lobed blotch. The flowers are produced
in February and March, and continue for several weeks in perfection,
provided they are kept free from moisture, which if it lodges upon them
will cause them to become spotted, and destroy their beauty. It is an
excellent plan to place the plants when in bloom in a drier house than
that in which they are grown, and to bestow all possible care upon their
preservation. Of themselves they form a fine group of Cattleyas, there
being so many distinct varieties, of colours such as to make them
thoroughly useful for decorative purposes. By their agency our Orchid
houses may be kept gay for several months in the most dreary time of the
year, for when there is a number of plants they may be flowered in
succession. The plants can now be bought at a reasonable price, as, in
consequence of the large importations of them, they have become
plentiful.
_Cattleya Trianæ_ requires the same treatment as _C. labiata_, _C.
Mossiæ_, and others of the same class, all these plants being, indeed,
regarded by some botanists as varieties of one species. For their
successful growth the use of good fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, with
ample drainage, are requisite, and they should be kept well elevated
above the pot rim. They will also thrive well suspended from the roof in
baskets, and also on blocks of wood, but in these cases they require
more attention as to watering, in order to keep them moist at the roots.
Cattleyas thrive best when placed under the influence of strong light,
but they must be shaded from bright sunshine. This _régime_ induces them
to blossom more freely, indeed, if the bulbs are not well ripened good
results cannot be anticipated. The plants require a plentiful supply of
water during the growing season, by which we mean that they should be
kept constantly moist about the roots. When their growth is completed
less may be applied, merely enough to keep them in a plump state. When
the flower spikes begin to appear more water should again be given, as
it will induce the buds to swell more freely, in consequence of which
the flowers will be finer.
Orchids from Dr. Paterson.—This gentleman has been kind enough to send
us a grand spike of his _Vanda tricolor Patersoni_. It is a fine form of
this noble Orchid, the flowers being of large size, and well marked, the
lip beautifully coloured with rich magenta. A nice spike of the
beautiful _Aërides nobile_ came in the same parcel, and a curious _Eria_
with white flowers, named _stellata_ (the true _stellata_ has dull pale
yellow flowers) on account of the star-shaped form of its blossoms.—B.
S. W.
[Illustration: PL. 46.
MILTONIA CUNEATA.]
MILTONIA CUNEATA.
[Plate 46.]
Native of Brazil.
Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ ovate-oblong, compressed, light green,
diphyllous. _Leaves_ ligulate-oblong, striate, somewhat carinate
beneath, of a cheerful green colour. _Scape_ radical, erect, bearing a
five to eight flowered raceme, each of the pedicels having at its base
a whitish glumaceous triangular bract about half as long as the ovary.
_Flowers_ large and showy, with a broad flat white lip; _sepals_
oblong-lanceolate, narrowed to the base, of a deep chocolate-purple
with a yellowish green tip on which is a dark spot, the margins
undulated, the lateral ones connate at the base; _petals_ similar in
form, size, and colour; _lip_ white, with a pink tinge, and one or two
chocolate spots near the base, wedge-shaped, with a narrow claw-like
base and a broad flat anterior expanded portion, somewhat repand on
the margin, and furnished on the disk with two raised plates or
lamellæ. _Column_ short, creamy white, bidentate on the middle
portion, the anther-bed cucullate, membranaceous, denticulate, retuse.
Miltonia cuneata, _Lindley_, _Botanical Register_, 1844, misc. 28;
1845, t. 8; _Id._, _Folia Orchidacea_, art. _Miltonia_, No. 8;
_Reichenbach fil._, _Xenia Orchidacea_, i. 131; _Moore_,
_Illustrations of Orchidaceous Plants_, art. _Miltonia_, 7 t. 2;
_Lemaire_, _L’Illustration Horticole_, t. 237; _Williams_, _Orchid
Grower’s Manual_, 5 ed., 223.
Miltonia speciosa, _Klotzsch_, in _Otto and Dietrich’s Allgemeine
Gartenzeitung_, xvii. 129.
Oncidium speciosum, _Reichenbach fil._, _MSS._; _Id._, _Walpers’
Annales Botanices Systematicæ_, vi. 761.
This genus of Orchids is not a very extensive one, but among the species
which are known there are some beautiful plants of distinct and striking
character. The species which we now represent is a very pretty one,
which we are pleased to have the opportunity of introducing to the
notice of our readers. The specimen figured was grown in the fine
collection of W. Cobb, Esq., of Sydenham, who is a great lover of
Orchids, and makes it a study to procure the best kinds and cultivate
them in the best possible manner.
_Miltonia cuneata_ was introduced by the Messrs. Rollisson, of Tooting,
about the year 1843, and first flowered with them in the spring of 1844.
It is a free-growing plant, with light green foliage, which grows about
a foot in height, and produces its flowers in erect racemes, seven or
often more together. The sepals and petals are chestnut-brown, tipped
with greenish yellow, and the lip is broad and of a creamy white colour.
The flowers are produced in February and March, and last for several
weeks in beauty.
This _Miltonia_ requires the heat of the Cattleya house, and thrives in
good fibrous peat; it must be well drained in order that the superfluous
moisture may pass off, as the plant dislikes stagnant water about the
roots. In the growing season a moderate supply of water may be given at
the roots, but less will suffice when the growth is completed. We find
the Miltonias to require more shade than most Orchids. Their leaves are
thin in texture, and consequently are soon injured, which makes it
necessary to pay strict attention to the requirements of the plants, as
while too much sun would dry up the foliage, too much moisture about it
would cause it to go spotted.
They are propagated by dividing the bulbs, leaving two old ones and a
growth in front. These divided portions should be potted in small pots
until they get well established, and always at all times be kept free
from insects. The white scale will sometimes attack them, and do much
injury if not promptly removed.
Lælia elegans prasiata.—From E. Harvey, Esq., Aigburth, Liverpool, comes
a spike of a grand form of this fine _Lælia_. The flowers are six inches
across, the sepals and petals purplish rose, the lip rich magenta. This
is quite a distinct form, and worthy of a place in every collection.
Accompanying this was a spike of _Scuticaria Hadweni_, var. _pardalina_,
described some time ago in the _Gardeners’ Chronicle_.—B. S. W.
Dendrobium nobile (three-lipped).—Mr. Knight, Gardener to the Right Hon.
W. H. Smith, M.P., Greenlands, Henley-on-Thames, sends us a curious form
of this grand old Orchid, with three lips, two of the lips taking the
place of the petals of the normal flowers, and being marked and coloured
in a similar manner to the ordinary lip. In addition, the flower was
deliciously scented. We do not suppose that this variation will be
constant, being more probably a malformation.—B. S. W.
Bollea cœlestis as a block plant.—When visiting the establishment of
Messrs. Vervaet et Cie., of Gand, Belgium, in April last, we were
surprised to see this lovely Orchid quite at home on a block, growing
luxuriantly, and rooting in all directions; the growths were very
strong, and as healthy as any we have seen. Is it possible that this may
be the secret of success with this Orchid? Being an epiphyte, found
growing on the limbs of trees, we should imagine this treatment would be
the most natural for it. It is evident that pot culture does not suit
it, as it frequently dies off after two or three years.—H. W.
[Illustration: PL. 47.
ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ.]
ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ.
[Plate 47.]
Native of Bogota, New Grenada.
Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ oblong-ovate, compressed, often stained
brownish purple, two-leaved. _Leaves_ ligulate-oblong, acute,
channelled toward the base, of a pleasing light green colour. _Scape_
radical, supporting a many-flowered raceme, or in the more vigorous
plants a panicle equalling or exceeding the leaves, and having small
acute bracts at the base of the pedicels. _Flowers_ exquisitely chaste
and beautiful, white, tinted with rose, and variously spotted, fully
three inches across; _sepals_ ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, entire or
toothed, white, suffused more or less with a delicate tint of
rose-pink; _petals_ in the best forms, broadly ovate and much
undulated, entire or toothed, white, rather less deeply tinted with
pink; _lip_ shorter than the petals, oblong-ovate, the margin much
crisped and the shortly acuminate apex recurved, white, with a rich
yellow stain down the centre, and marked with reddish brown radiating
lines on the disk, and with one or two (or in some forms many) rich
red-brown spots or blotches half-way down, the disk also bearing a
bilamellate crest. _Column_ arcuate, club-shaped, chestnut-red.
Odontoglossum Alexandræ, _Bateman_, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, 1864,
1083; _Id._, _Proceedings of the Royal Horticultural Society_, iv.,
186; _Id._, _Monograph of Odontoglossum_, t.t. 14, 19; _Hooker_,
_Botanical Magazine_, t. 5691 (var. _Trianæ_), t. 5697 (var.
_guttatum_); _Jennings_, _Orchids_, t. 26; _Warner_, _Select
Orchidaceous Plants_, 2 ser., t. 23 (var. _Warneri_); _Floral
Magazine_, t. 343; _Williams_, _Orchid Grower’s Manual_, 5 ed., 228.
Odontoglossum Bluntii, _Reichenbach, fil._, in _Mohl and
Schlechtendal’s Botanische Zeitung_, “n. 53, Dec. 64;” _Van Houtte_,
_Flore des Serres_, t. 1652.
Odontoglossum crispum, _Lindley_, in _Annals of Natural History_, xv.,
256; _Id._, _Folia Orchidacea_, art. _Odontoglossum_, No. 57;
_Reichenbach fil._, in _Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ_, vi.,
845.
The Princess of Wales’ Odontoglossum, one of the most beautiful and one
of the most useful of Orchids, was found in the province of Bogota, in
New Grenada, at an altitude of from 7,000 to 8,000 feet, growing in
great profusion on the branches of trees in the forests of that elevated
region. It was introduced to this country in 1864 by Mr. Weir, when
collecting for the Royal Horticultural Society, and was described in
that year by Mr. Bateman as above quoted. There cannot be two opinions
respecting its beauty, as it is one of the best Orchids in cultivation;
and though there are amongst the imported plants great diversities in
the form and colour of the flowers, yet all are beautiful. Some have the
flowers of a pure white, in others they are variously suffused with a
delicate rosy hue; some are spotted with crimson, and there are those
with yellow flowers, but the most chaste and beautiful of them all are
the pure white varieties, tinted with rose colour, which are mostly
sought after by cultivators, though the many beautifully spotted forms
produce a fine contrast when intermixed with the others.
The figure we now publish was taken from a well-grown specimen in the
collection of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, at Sandringham, and, as this
species is named in honour of the Princess of Wales, who is a great
lover of flowers, and especially of the Orchidaceæ, we are proud to be
able to announce that our artist has been permitted to prepare an
illustration of this charming plant from such a source. There is a very
fine collection of these plants at Sandringham, and among them are some
very fine specimens, the accomplished gardener, Mr. C. Penny, being most
successful in flowering them with grand spikes of bloom. There are also
numerous varieties in the collection, but the one we have figured is a
good example of the typical form.
_Odontoglossum Alexandræ_ is a compact-growing plant, attaining about a
foot in height; it is furnished with lively green foliage, and produces
its blossoms after the growth is completed on a drooping spike which, as
it overhangs the green foliage, has a most graceful appearance. The
sepals are white, slightly tinged with pale rose colour, the petals are
pure white, and the lip is white, with reddish-brown spots upon it, and
a patch of bright orange-yellow at the base. The plants bloom at
different times of the year, according to the period of the completion
of their growth, and, therefore, by having a good quantity of plants, a
succession may be kept flowering all the year round. We are never
without a good show of these plants in bloom, and it is the same in all
collections where they are grown in considerable numbers. The individual
flowers will last many weeks in beauty. They are extremely useful for
cutting, as they keep for a long time in water.
As this species requires what is called cool treatment very little
expense need be incurred in its cultivation. Indeed, any one having a
small house where a temperature can be kept up in winter of from 45° to
50°, with as little fire-heat as possible, can grow a great quantity of
them, since they occupy but little space. In summer no fire-heat is
required, unless the nights are cold, which is seldom the case at that
season, but no draughts should be allowed to reach them, as draughts are
as deleterious to them as to all other plants grown in glass houses.
They require shading from the scorching rays of the sun, but like to
have all the light that can be given them. Under this treatment they
will grow stronger and stronger, and flower more and more freely.
The potting material which we find most suitable for them is good
fibrous peat, with the finer earthy particles shaken out; they must have
good drainage, in fact the pots must be three-parts filled with drainage
material, and the plants well elevated above the pot rim. They are
naturally free-rooting plants, but we find a little live sphagnum moss
on the top of the peat causes them to root more freely, and as they
require a good deal of moisture at the roots during their period of
growth, the moss, if kept in a growing condition, will help to supply
their wants.
[Illustration: PL. 48.
VANDA CŒRULESCENS.]
VANDA CŒRULESCENS.
[Plate 48.]
Native of Burmah.
Epiphytal. _Stem_ one to two feet high or more, producing long stout
flexuous roots from the leaf bases. _Leaves_ close set, distichous,
linear-ligulate, truncately-bilobed, coriaceous, channelled, five to
seven inches long, of a deep green colour, carinate, the keel forming
an angular projection at the tip. _Scapes_ or _Peduncles_ slender,
distantly vaginate, with small appressed sheaths, axillary, erect,
bearing a ten to twenty flowered raceme longer than the leaves.
_Flowers_ neat and very pleasing, pale mauve-blue; _sepals_ incurved,
cuneate-ovate, obtuse, clawed, of a pale greyish blue; _petals_
similar in size, form, and colour, twisted at the base, with the two
lateral lobes tawny-yellow, and adnate to the column, the middle or
front lobe obcuneate dilated and emarginate at the apex, the margins
deflexed, of a rich violet-blue, with a pair of keel-shaped deep
violet calli and a short intermediate one on the disk, the spur
straight or incurved, conical, tipped with green. _Column_ small,
blue.
Vanda cœrulescens, _Griffith_, _Notulæ_, 352; _Id._, _Icones_, t. 331;
_Lindley_, _Folia Orchidacea_, art. _Vanda_, No. 19; _Reichenbach
fil._, in _Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ_, vi., 868; _Id._,
in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, 1869, 498; 1870, 529, fig. 97; _Hooker
fil._, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 5834 (colour faulty); _Williams_,
_Orchid Grower’s Manual_, ed. 5, 305.
The Vandas are a most noble family of Orchids, including amongst them
many beautiful species, such as _V. suavis_, _V. tricolor_, _V.
Batemanni_, and others. They are well furnished with leaves, and make
splendid specimens, requiring considerable space in which to grow them,
but they are plants of great beauty, and when not in bloom make grand
objects of attraction. No collection should be without them, as they
flower at all times of the year. Where a number of these Orchids are
grown, as at Chatsworth, we have seen as many as 193 spikes in blossom
at one time, presenting a most glorious sight.
The Vandas are of easy cultivation. The species which we now figure is a
small, elegant-growing, free-blooming plant, and also very distinct in
character, as will be seen from the plate, which gives a good
representation of it. Our drawing was taken from a beautiful specimen
growing in the splendid collection of C. Dorman, Esq., The Firs, Laurie
Park, Sydenham, who has one of the best grown collections of Orchids we
have seen, and one which does great credit to Mr. Coningsby, the
gardener.
_Vanda cœrulescens_ is a compact growing species, as may be seen from
our plate. In this instance it produced a flower spike of a drooping
habit fifteen inches long, which is quite an exception, as the flower
spikes are generally more or less erect or ascending. The sepals and
petals are of a bluish-mauve, the lip of a deep blue. It is altogether
most distinct in colour, and a plant that is greatly required in a
collection of Orchids for the sake of the charming contrasts it yields.
It blooms at different times of the year, and continues for several
weeks in beauty. We find the heat of the East India house is congenial
to it. It grows well in sphagnum moss, and must have good drainage,
because it must be kept moist during the growing season; when at rest
less moisture is required. The plant thrives either in a pot or in a
basket suspended from the roof, so that it may get plenty of light, but
must be shaded from the sun.
Odontoglossum Alexandræ reginæ.—F. A. Philbrick, Esq., Oldfield,
Bickley, has sent us two fine spikes of this grand variety, the white
flowers of which are of good form and profusely blotched, both on the
sepals and petals, with reddish crimson. It is one of the finest spotted
forms of this valuable species.—B. S. W.
Orchids from Perth, N.B.—We have received from W. Macdonald, Esq.,
Woodlands, Perth, a nice spike of _Scuticaria Steelii_, with three
flowers. This is a curious growing Orchid, and one seldom sees it in
blossom. The flowers are produced from the base of the reed-like leaves,
and are yellow, distinctly spotted with crimson. The plant makes a fine
specimen for a block, and when suspended from the roof shows off its
leaves and flowers to advantage. Accompanying this was a spike of a fine
variety of _Odontoglossum Pescatorei_, with flowers measuring three and
a half inches across. Mr. Macdonald informs us that this spike was
produced from a plant with small bulbs, and he expects, as the plant
gets stronger, that it will produce larger flowers. There was also in
flower at The Woodlands a grand specimen of _Camarotis purpurea_, with
about 100 spikes of its pretty rosy pink flowers fully open.—B. S. W.