PL. 28. ZYGOPETALUM GAUTIERI.
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs oblong, deeply furrowed, the younger ones ancipitous, attached to a branched creeping rhizome. Leaves fascicled, distichous, the outer ones shorter, the central ones narrowly elongate-oblong, plicate with a strongly developed costa, ten to twelve inches long, bright green. Scape issuing from the centre of the leaf-tufts, and terminating in a drooping raceme of three to six flowers, furnished with elongate-oblong amplexicaul bracts, those subtending the flowers being nearly as long as the pedicels. Flowers large, showy, green blotched with brown, the lip purple with darker purple ruff in front of the column; sepals and petals oblong, acute, nearly equal, the petals directed upwards, all pale green transversely barred and blotched with purplish brown; lip broad, three-lobed, furnished with an obtuse spur, the lateral lobes erect, rich deep purple, forming a crenated unguliform ruff or frill around the column, the middle lobe very large, two inches across, roundish, broader than long, apiculate, deep bluish purple, lighter at the edge. Column short, half surrounded by the purple ruff, arcuate, the anther case yellow, with a projecting point at the apex.
Zygopetalum Gautieri, Lemaire, Illustration Horticole, t. 535; Williams, Orchid Grower’s Manual, 5 ed., 311.
This genus of Orchids does not comprise so many species as many others, but among those which are known and introduced, are some which make very useful autumn and winter flowering subjects, and which are well adapted for decorating our stoves and Orchid houses. Amongst them occur some of the oldest of cultivated Orchids, such as are generally to be met with in good old-fashioned places. We remember to have seen plants of Zygopetalum Mackayi and Z. crinitum some thirty years ago, also of Z. maxillare—grand specimens with from seventy to a hundred flowers upon them, and a magnificent sight they were, with their numerous spikes hanging around the foliage, as represented in the plate, and being similar in colour.
The species which we now desire to bring to the notice of our readers, is a very lovely one, which has been sometimes considered as a variety of Zygopetalum maxillare, but the flowers are larger, and it not only blooms much earlier, but continues in blossom for several weeks. In addition to this, it is a much freer grower than Z. maxillare. We have had different plants in flower for several months, and then they seemed as though they would continue blooming much longer; in fact this species seems to flower whenever it makes its young growth—a peculiar feature which renders it the most useful of its class.
Our plate was prepared from a plant which bloomed in the fine collection of Mons. D. Massange, of Marche, in Belgium, under the care of Mr. Wilcke, who is one of the most successful continental growers of Orchids. We had the pleasure of seeing specimens from M. Massange’s grand collection, exhibited at the great show held at Brussels in July, 1880.
Zygopetalum Gautieri is a dwarf growing kind, attaining a height of about twelve inches, and is provided with distinct plaited green foliage. The flowers are large, and borne several together on the spikes; the sepals and petals are green, blotched with purplish brown, while the lip is of purplish blue, edged with a lighter tint of the same colour.
There are several varieties of this species, varying from very pale violet to a rich purplish blue, the variety here figured being one of the darkest-coloured forms we have yet met with. The flowers are particularly showy, and last a long time in perfection.
It is of easy cultivation, and not only free-growing but also free-blooming. It does well in the Cattleya house, planted in peat and moss, with good drainage, and it may be grown either in a pot or a basket, or on a block of wood, or on the stem of a tree fern, on which latter it is frequently imported from its native country. In its wild state, it appears naturally to creep up these fern stems, and it must look very beautiful growing in this way, since its drooping spikes cannot fail to have a good effect when thus seen hanging among the green foliage. It requires a good supply of water during the growing season, but, when at rest, less will suffice. The plant needs plenty of light, but it must be shaded from the fierce sun-rays during the summer months.
Lælia anceps Dawsoni.—One of the best specimens we have had the pleasure of seeing of L. anceps Dawsoni is in the collection of R. S. Dodgson, Esq., Blackburn; it had four spikes of buds when we saw it in November last; since then we have received a spike of three flowers, and a very fine variety it is. Mr. Osman informs us that the plant has ten expanded blossoms. It is one of the best plants and as good a variety as we have met with; the sepals and petals are large, pure white, and of great substance; the lip is bright rosy purple edged with white, the throat orange, veined with purple. No doubt there are different varieties in cultivation which were imported along with this some years ago. Mr. Dodgson’s plant is grown suspended from the roof, and from its appearance this seems to be the best method of growing it to perfection. It likes plenty of light all the year round, and should be just kept shaded from the burning sun.
PL. 29. CŒLOGYNE MASSANGEANA.
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs pyriform, three to four inches in height, smooth, bearing two leaves at the apex. Leaves persistent, cuneate-oblong, acute, stalked, somewhat plicate, a foot and a half high including the stalk, and four inches broad. Peduncle pendulous, produced from the base of the pseudobulbs, one and a half to two feet long, nigro-asperate; bracts cuneate-oblong obtuse, much shorter than the pedicels. Flowers showy, in loose racemes of two dozen or more, yellow with a brown lip; sepals ligulate obtuse, somewhat keeled outside, light ochre-yellow; petals linear-ligulate, of the same colour as the sepals; lip three-lobed, concave, the side lobes semi-ovate, acute in front, of a beautiful maroon-brown with ochre-coloured veins, the middle lobe creamy white at the edge, with a large brown disk, short, transversely oval with an apiculus, and having three light yellow rather prominent toothletted keels extending from the base to the anterior lobe, and “six confluent rows of green retuse many-angled cells, reminding one of human molar teeth” in front of them. Column light ochre-yellow, streaked with brown, winged in front, the anther-bed with a retuse membranous border.
Cœlogyne Massangeana, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., x., 684; Floral Magazine, 2 ser., t. 373.
The plant which we now bring under the notice of our readers belongs to a rather extensive genus of Orchids, some of the species of which are very beautiful, while others are not worth cultivating as decorative plants. That which is now before us, is, however, an exceedingly handsome and very remarkable species, which was imported from Assam, by MM. Jacob-Makoy & Cie., of Liège, Belgium. Our illustration was taken from a very fine plant, which produced no fewer than eight of its long pendulous racemes of flowers, some of these having as many as twenty-seven blossoms on them. This grand specimen was grown in the notable collection of Mons. D. Massange, at the Château de Baillonville, near Marche, in Belgium, in whose honour the species was named by Professor Reichenbach. We had the pleasure of seeing this extraordinarily fine plant, growing under pot-culture, in M. Massange’s Cattleya house, and since then we have received the materials from which our artist has made the capital representation which accompanies these remarks. In regard to its botanical affinities it stands near to the Bornean Cœlogyne asperata, which is sometimes called C. Lowii.
One remarkable feature of this Cœlogyne Massangeana is the extraordinary shortness of time which it takes to develope its rather ample spikes of flowers; these are often pushed up from the pseudobulbs in their corkscrew-like fashion, and become extended to their full length in a very few days, the buds swelling off at once, and the flowers very soon appearing in full beauty, in which state they continue for four or five weeks.
We have seen a wonderfully fine example of this plant in the grand collection of R. Smith, Esq., Brentham Park, Stirling; this was suspended from the roof, and bore several fine flower-spikes. Mr. Smith regards this as one of the most beautiful Cœlogynes in cultivation. When we saw the plant, it was overhanging a wonderful specimen of Cattleya exoniensis, a grand variety, and there were also many other fine Cattleyas in the same house.
Cœlogyne Massangeana is a free-growing evergreen plant, with stout pseudobulbs from three to four inches in height, each supporting a pair of light green plicate leaves, which are about eighteen inches high, and about four inches broad. The flower-spikes are produced from the base of the pseudobulbs, and, when the plants are in vigorous health, they frequently attain the length of eighteen inches, or sometimes two feet. The sepals and petals are of a light yellow-ochre colour; the lip rich brown, its upper part or side lobes creamy yellow, lined with brown. The plant flowers at various times of the year. We have more than once had it in bloom twice in one year, and it continues for several weeks in a state of freshness and beauty.
In its native country, Assam, this species is found growing on the branches and stems of trees. Here, provided it receives proper treatment, it is a very free-growing Orchid, and is also easy of increase, as it often produces two growths from one bulb. It will thrive either in a basket or in a pot, but, when in bloom, it should be suspended from the roof in order that it may be seen to the best advantage, to accomplish which, if it be grown in a pot, some wire may be fixed around the rim by which to hook it up. When growing it may occupy any part of the Cattleya house, but it should be placed so that it can obtain plenty of light. When hung up near the glass it must be shaded from the burning sun. With us it thrives well in good fibrous peat, and we have found it to be a free-rooting plant, requiring to be kept moist during the growing season; indeed, we never allow the plants to become too dry, but just supply them with sufficient moisture to prevent them from shrivelling. Every effort must be made to keep the foliage clean, and free from insects, in respect to which the cultivator should adopt and act up to the golden maxim—“Prevention is better than cure.”
Cymbidium eburneum.—In our remarks on this plant, under Plate 25, we have inadvertently referred to it as producing but one flower on a scape. This, however, is not quite correct; as, although the scapes each usually bear but a solitary blossom, we have known them to produce two, or sometimes even three flowers.—B. S. W.
PL. 30. LÆLIA ELEGANS ALBA.
Epiphytal. Stems terete, somewhat club-shaped, about eighteen inches in height, the weaker ones bearing one, the stronger two, leaves at the apex. Leaves solitary or in pairs, ligulate-oblong, from six inches to a foot in length, very thick and leathery in texture, of a bright green colour. Scape two to three-flowered, issuing from a terminal oblong compressed bract, about three inches in length. Flowers white and crimson-purple, large and very handsome, about six inches in expansion; sepals oblong lanceolate, acute, plane, pure white; petals rather shorter than the sepals, broadly-lanceolate, undulated at the margins, pure white; lip three inches long, three-lobed, the lateral lobes rolled over the column, the front portion spreading, undulated, and marked within the edge with a blotch of crimson-purple, the middle lobe roundish, flabellately expanded, crispato-undulate, of a rich crimson-purple, the colour breaking out near the tip into crimson veins on a purplish ground, and extended into a claw-like base through the pale yellowish disk. Column about as long as the convolute base of the lip, enclosed.
Lælia elegans var. alba, Williams, Catalogue 1881, 68.
We have here one of the most beautiful of this charming class of Orchids, and one which no Orchid fancier can fail to admire. The showy blossoms of the forms of this species offer many shades of colour, those of the variety before us being exceedingly chaste and delicate. The accompanying figure is a good representation of this charming variety, and was prepared from a sketch of a well-grown specimen which bloomed in the fine collection of W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, under the care of Mr. Woolford, the gardener.
This Lælia grows about eighteen inches high; it is furnished with bold thick foliage of a pleasant green, and produces its blossoms in June and July, continuing for about three weeks in beauty. The sepals and petals are of a pure white, while the lip is of a rich magenta-crimson, the two colours making a well-marked and charming contrast. This delicately beautiful variety is extremely rare.
Lælia elegans alba is like the Cattleyas in its growth, with the exception of the stems being more slender, most of them producing two short leaves about six inches in length. The plants require the same temperature and the same material in which to grow as the allied Cattleyas, and also about the same amount of water during the growing season. The rest required is also the same as for Cattleyas. There are some of the species, such as L. albida, autumnalis, majalis, pumila, and others, which will thrive better in a cooler temperature. They are all subject to insects, which should be diligently looked after. White scale is sometimes troublesome, and if allowed to remain on them will disfigure the foliage by causing yellow spots. Thrips will also attack them, and increase very fast if they are not kept under by adopting the usual remedies.
Shading Orchids.—This is a subject of the greatest importance in Orchid culture, and one that is often overlooked until it is too late—the mischief being done. What is required is a strong durable material that will wear well, and, where rollers are used, stand the strain upon it. It must also be understood that shading does not consist of merely daubing upon the glass some opaque material, such as paint, summer cloud, whitening, or the like, which though all very well as palliatives in positions where rollers cannot be used, such as at the ends and sides of a house, are greatly to be deprecated as a shading for the roof, for this reason, that in our English climate we are so subject to sudden changes of the weather, that were such a permanent shading to be used, we should frequently, especially during dull weather, have our plants in comparative darkness when they should be getting all the light possible. This cannot fail to lead to bad results and produce a sickly growth. Some growers use thick canvas; indeed, we have done so ourselves many years ago, but, by experience, we have found out the ill effects of it, for when we employed this kind of shading, we found the plants under its influence became weak and sickly, producing small puny flower-spikes. A lighter shading was then employed, and the difference was marvellous; the plants assumed quite a different aspect. It was at this time that we were exhibiting at Chiswick the fine specimens of East Indian Orchids—Aërides, Saccolabiums, Vandas, Dendrobiums, and many others—such as we seldom see equalled now. Since then we have used thinner shadings, with the best results. Our Vandas thus treated have always been strong and healthy, with broader foliage, producing their flower-spikes as often as three times a year, with the flowers of a good colour, lasting a long time in perfection; in fact we are never without flower, always having a good display. We refer more particularly to the suavis and tricolor section of the genus. Some people imagine Vandas do not flower till they attain a large size, but such is not the case if they are properly grown, and thin shading is used. Our experience leads us to the belief that all Orchids, with a few exceptions, require a thin shading, that is to say, one that, while warding off the direct rays of the sun, will allow the light to enter through it. To arrive at this result we use a strong, durable, cotton netting, woven in small squares, close enough to exclude the rays of the sun, while the light penetrates it with but little interruption. This netting stands exposure to the weather much longer than canvas, and on that account is cheaper in the long run. We have used this material for some years; in the case of Cool Orchids, Mexican, and East Indian kinds, with the best results, the netting being attached to rollers with appropriate gear. For the cool Orchid houses we employ raised blinds, upon which we hope to speak further shortly. The blinds can be managed with but little trouble. In the winter we take them off the house and put them in a dry place until they are required again in the ensuing spring.—B. S. W.
PL. 31. CALANTHE VEITCHII.
Terrestrial. Pseudobulbs fleshy, conical, bluntly angular, four to six inches in height. Leaves deciduous, about two from the apex of each pseudobulb, lanceolate, narrowed both towards the base and apex, plicate or plaited, of a bright green, produced before the flowers. Scapes radical, downy, invested in the lower part with sheathing bracts, and each supporting a tall showy raceme of flowers, sometimes reaching three to four feet long. Flowers abundant, each subtended by an ovate bract, of a very attractive and pleasing tint of rich deep rosy pink, darker in some varieties; sepals oblong lanceolate, the dorsal one erect, the lateral ones spreading, deep rose-pink; petals of the same form and colour, patent, directed upwards; lip adherent to the column, round which it is rolled at the base, front part clawed, and expanded into a squarish four-lobed limb, rich rose-pink, deepening almost to crimson around the creamy white eye or centre, the spur straight, downy. Column small, terete, downy at the back.
Calanthe Veitchii, Lindley, Gardeners’ Chronicle, 1859, 1016; Hooker, Botanical Magazine, t. 5375; Bateman, Second Century of Orchids, t. 106; Jennings, Orchids, t. 48; Floral Magazine, t. 280; Williams, Orchid Growers’ Manual, 5 ed., 109.
This Hybrid is one of the most distinct and charming of Orchids, as well as one of the most useful for winter decoration. Our illustration was prepared from some admirably grown materials which were kindly sent to us from the rich collection of William Leach, Esq., of Oakley, Fallowfield, near Manchester, where we have seen as many as one hundred flower spikes of one of the most highly coloured forms of this somewhat variable plant in full beauty; and, intermixed as they were with the white Calanthe vestita, the effect produced was exceedingly pleasing and attractive. Mr. Swan seems to have hit upon the most successful method of cultivating these very charming plants, for some of the spikes bore as many as forty flowers. He evidently knows also how to arrange the plants to advantage, namely, by placing them in rows among the foliage of the East Indian Orchids, so that the Calanthes, blooming as they do without their leaves, have their beauty enhanced by the foliage of the associated plants, especially that of the Aërides and Vandas.
Calanthe Veitchii is of deciduous habit, losing its foliage just as it comes into flower. We have, however, occasionally seen it with leaves accompanying its flowers, though its natural habit is to lose them. It produces flower spikes from three to four feet or more in length, and sometimes bears as many as fifty flowers on one spike. The plants are free-blooming and continue in flower for two months. The sepals and petals, as well as the lip, are of a rich rosy pink colour. A gay appearance may be kept up throughout the dull months of winter by having a sufficient number of plants and starting them successively into blossom.
These Calanthes are very accommodating, since they will thrive well in baskets suspended from the roof, as well as in pots suspended by wire in the same way as the baskets; they will also thrive in pots standing on the tables, where room is not an object. If grown in baskets, they will require more water in their growing season. We prefer them grown in this manner where there is room, as they look so pleasing with their spikes hanging gracefully from the roof. Where hundreds of spikes have to be produced, as for instance is the case with Mr. C. Penny, of Sandringham Gardens, for decorating the Prince of Wales’ table, the effect produced is charming, and even for filling large vases they form a most elegant adornment.
They are of easy cultivation when they get the treatment they require. Like all other deciduous and bulbous plants their blooming season follows that of the completion of the growth of the bulbs, and their growing season commences when they have finished blooming, after which they will soon begin to throw up their young growths. When this is observed, let them be fresh potted. We have found it best to do this every year, as they lose all their old roots annually. We shake the soil away and cut off all the roots, and repot them, when, as soon as they begin to grow, they will send out their new roots into fresh soil. The material we use for potting is good rough fibrous loam and leaf mould, with a little rotten manure, mixing them well together, and giving good drainage with a layer of rough peat and moss on the top of it. In potting, fill the pot up with the soil and place the bulb on the top, just making it firm; it will soon root and support itself. If planted in baskets, it is necessary to place some rough fibrous peat round the sides and at the bottom to keep the soil from washing out; fill the basket up with the same kind of compost as that recommended for the pots, with drainage at the bottom; place the bulbs upright in the basket, about three in number, on the top of the soil, and finish by giving a little water. After the plants get into growth and are making roots freely, they should always be kept moist until they have finished their growth, when a less copious supply will suffice; and after they have bloomed they may be kept dry for a time until they are ready for potting. When the plants are in vigorous growth a little manure water may, with advantage, be applied to their roots once or twice a week, but it must be well diluted before being used, as, if given too strong, it might destroy the roots.
We find the East India house to suit these Calanthes best, or they will thrive well in a house where stove plants are grown. They are propagated by separating the pseudobulbs at the time they are potted, and as they generally make two growths from one bulb the increase is comparatively rapid. Like other orchidaceous plants, they must be kept free from insects.
PL. 32. ONCIDIUM HÆMATOCHILUM.
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs none or obsolete, the leaves and flower-scapes springing directly from the axils of the scaly bracts which surround the crown. Leaves solitary, flat, oblong, acute, leathery in texture, dull green spotted with reddish brown, nine to twelve inches long. Scape radical, deep red, supporting a dense panicle of green spotted crimson-lipped flowers. Flowers about an inch and a half across, showy on account of their rich colouring and markings; sepals oval-oblong, yellowish green, thickly marked with irregular transverse bands of rich reddish brown; petals oblong, spathulate, wavy, similar in colour to the sepals, but less heavily marked; lip clawed, with a pair of auricles at the base, the claw and auricles deep magenta-rose colour, the front expanded portion roundish or transversely reniform, of a deep sanguineous crimson, and having the margin yellow, closely mottled with deep rose-crimson, the disk furnished with a flexuose crest shaped like the letter W, and thence raised into an eminence with a toothlet on each side. Column short, with rounded wings curved downwards and somewhat lobed.
Oncidium hæmatochilum, Lindley, in Paxton’s Flower Garden, i., t. 6; Id., re-issue, t. 26; Id., Folia Orchidacea, art. Oncidium, No. 132; Reichenbach fil., in Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ, vi., 783.
Oncidium luridum purpuratum, Loddiges, List—fide Lindley.
This is undoubtedly one of our oldest Orchids—one that we recollect to have seen in bloom with the Messrs. Loddiges, in their noble collection of Orchids, about thirty years ago. We have always been under the impression that it was one of the prettiest of the spotted Oncidiums, but, although we have occasionally bloomed it, since then we have seen it in very few collections. We were accordingly very greatly pleased to meet with a remarkably fine example of it in the collection of G. W. L. Schofield, Esq., of Rawtenstall, near Manchester, from which our illustration was taken. The plant bore two flower-spikes, one of which was three feet six inches in length, bearing forty fine blossoms, and was a most beautiful example of the species; the other was shorter, and from this our drawing was made, as our page would not afford space for the representation of the larger spike. Our readers will, however, be enabled from the description and figure to form a good idea of the beauty of this rare species when well grown. Mr. Schofield is a great lover of good Orchids, and apparently intends having a fine collection of them, as he has had houses built for the different classes; his gardener also takes great interest in the plants, and consequently they are closely looked after and well cared for.
The Oncidium hæmatochilum is a very compact-growing plant, with leaves from nine to twelve inches in height, and two and a half inches broad, of a dark green colour, spotted with brown. The sepals and petals are of a greenish yellow, mottled with crimson; the lip is of a rich crimson, edged with yellow, and spotted round the margin with magenta-rose colour. It flowers in November, the blossoms continuing for several weeks in perfection, and is a plant that will no doubt become popular, as it blooms at a time when flowers are in request. The specimen we are describing was grown in a basket in the Cattleya house, in peat and moss, which form an unexceptionable compost for it, with good drainage, and a moderate supply of water in the growing season. It is best suspended from the roof where it may obtain plenty of light, but it does not like bright sunshine, and consequently must be shaded in sunny weather.
The Oncidiums are a class of Orchids among which occur some most showy and beautiful species; while almost every colour we could mention is to be found represented among them. They come from different regions, and in consequence their treatment must vary. Some of them rank among our finest exhibition plants, as well as amongst the best for the decoration of our stoves and Orchid houses. We often see fine specimens of Oncidiums in our grand old collections of plants where there is no pretence at growing a collection of Orchids, but where they are merely cultivated for cutting purposes. What is more airy and elegant for vases than the inflorescence of Oncidium flexuosum, or even O. sphacelatum, or that of many others we could mention if space would allow? What more brilliant than such species as O. varicosum and its variety O. Rogersii, O. ampliatum majus, O. tigrinum, O. Marshallianum, or O. macranthum?
Dendrobium Findleyanum.—This plant is now (January, 1882) finely in flower in the collection of J. C. Bowring, Esq., Windsor Forest. It must be a grand specimen, as Mr. Clinkaberry, the gardener, informs us that it has one hundred and ninety-two expanded blossoms. We have never before heard of such a well-flowered specimen as this; indeed, large plants of this species are somewhat rare. It is a most curious grower, and very remarkable for its long tapering compressed and deeply nodose stem-like pseudobulbs. The flowers are large, white, tipped with rosy pink, in the same way as those of D. Wardianum, and they are produced in great profusion. It is a plant that takes but little room, and should be in every collection.—B. S. W.
PL. 33. CATTLEYA SUPERBA SPLENDENS.
Epiphytal. Stems slender, subterete, furrowed, with distant nodes, nearly a foot in height. Leaves in pairs, ovate or ovate-oblong, obtuse, barely four inches in length, of a deep bluish green colour and stout coriaceous texture. Scape four to five-flowered, issuing from a terminal oblong obtuse compressed sheathing bract, of a pale brown colour, which is about two inches long and three-quarters of an inch broad. Flowers richly coloured, nearly six inches in breadth; sepals elliptic-lanceolate, plane, about two and a half inches long, of a deep rich purplish rose colour; petals of the same colour somewhat broader and longer, rhomboid, more or less undulated at the margin in the upper half; lip about two inches long, three-lobed, the basal lobes elongately connivent into a tube acute in front, of a rich magenta-crimson, white at the base, middle lobe transversely rounded, broader than long, emarginate, narrowed into a claw, the front portion of the same rich crimson colour, the disk and interior of the tube yellow, the former traversed by five elevated golden yellow lines. Column enclosed.
Cattleya superba splendens, Lemaire, Illustration Horticole xvi., t. 605; Williams, Orchid Grower’s Manual, 4 ed., 127; 5 ed., 132.
The plant we are now about to describe is one of the most magnificent members of its genus, so far as regards the brilliant colouring of its flowers. This may be seen by a reference to the accompanying illustration, which was taken from a fine plant that flowered at the Victoria Nursery, and was subsequently purchased by William Lee, Esq. of Downside, Leatherhead. The plant was seen to great advantage when suspended in a basket from the roof of the Orchid-house, and in this position was greatly admired, by connoisseurs on account of its rich and brilliant colours. The plants of Cattleya superba vary considerably in the colour of their flowers, those of the original or type form being well represented in the first series of Warner’s Select Orchidaceous Plants (t. 24), where a most beautiful spike with six of its really superb flowers is shown.
The variety which we now introduce to the notice of our readers—Cattleya superba splendens—is one of distinct character, and of unparalleled beauty. It comes from a different country, viz., the Rio Negro region of Para instead of Guiana. The plant is of compact growth like C. superba, and generally flowers during July and August; the stems (pseudobulbs) are ten to twelve inches in height; the leaves are produced in pairs, and are longer and more pointed, and its splendidly coloured flowers are produced four or five together in the spike from the top of the stem when it is making its growth. The individual blossoms are as much as five inches across, and are well expanded, the sepals and petals being of a bright but delicate rose colour, and the lip white at the base, the front and side lobes rich magenta-crimson, the disk and interior of the tube being of a bright golden yellow. The plant continues in blossom for three or four weeks if the flowers are kept from damp; indeed, all Cattleya blooms retain their freshness for a longer period if kept dry, especially the large light-flowered forms of C. Mossiæ, C. Trianæ, C. Mendelii, &c., which soon become spotted if the atmosphere surrounding them is much charged with moisture.
Cattleya superba is not in general well cultivated, but we have seen some specimens which were grown with extraordinary skill and success in the select collection of O. Schneider, Esq., of Cromwell Grange, Fallowfield, near Manchester. These specimens, as many as nine in number, were suspended in baskets from the roof of the warm house. They were grown from imported plants, and we have noticed them in the same position growing and blooming freely for the past three years, and, as they succeed so well, we should certainly recommend their being retained in the same situation. It is a golden rule for cultivators that when a particular kind of plant is found to thrive in a certain position, it should be kept there, so long at least as the conditions are suitable. In the instance just referred to the plants were suspended close to the glass, where they enjoyed a great abundance of light, and this was possibly the secret of their success. Other important considerations are that the plants do not like to be disturbed and will not bear cutting up.
It is necessary at all times to keep sweet healthy material about the roots by removing the old effete soil and replacing it by that which is fresh and sound. We find rough fibrous peat and charcoal to suit it, but this must be accompanied by good drainage. We have seen them thrive well on blocks of wood, but when grown in this way they require more water. If cultivated in baskets they also need a good supply during the season of growth. In winter less will suffice, merely enough being given to keep the bulbs in a plump condition. As soon as they show signs of growth, more water should be given, but it is necessary to avoid wetting the young growths, as this often causes them to damp off, and when this is the case the succeeding growth will be weakly and unable to develop blossoms.
The plants should be kept free from insects; sometimes thrips will attack the young growths, but it should be speedily removed, as, if allowed to remain, it will soon make great havoc.
PL. 34. PAPHINIA CRISTATA.
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs small, clustered, oblong-ovate, compressed, somewhat furrowed, bearing one to three leaves at the apex, and leaf-like scales at the base. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, plicate, submembranaceous, spreading, about eight inches in height. Scapes proceeding from the base of the pseudobulbs, pendent, two or three-flowered, clothed with loose brown membranaceous bracts. Flowers smooth, spreading, whitish on the outside, beautifully marked with purple lines within, about three and a half inches across; sepals lanceolate acute, fleshy, pale straw colour, almost entirely covered by thin transverse lines of chocolate-purple; petals similar in form and colour, but somewhat narrower; lip much smaller than the foregoing, fleshy, tripartite, almost entirely of a rich purplish black, ovate in outline, shortly unguiculate, with four stalked glands on the reddish orange purple-spotted claw, the lateral lobes sickle-shaped, the middle lobe rhomboidal, terminated by a tuft of club-shaped fimbriæ; disk crested, bidentate, with a few deep yellow spots down the centre. Column club-shaped, semiterete, greenish at the base, the upper portion auriculate, with a projecting tooth on each side, deep yellow.
Paphinia cristata, Lindley, Botanical Register, 1843, misc. 14; Lyons, Treatise on Orchidaceous Plants, 203; Van Houtte, Flore des Serres, iv., t. 335; Hooker, Botanical Magazine, t. 4836; Reichenbach fil., in Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ, vi., 614; Williams, Orchid Grower’s Manual, 5 ed., 265; Bateman, 2nd Century of Orchidaceous Plants, t. 117.
Maxillaria cristata, Lindley, Botanical Register, t. 1811.
Paphinia is a genus of very limited extent, and of which but few species are at present known. That now before us is a very old and familiar species, one of the best known amongst them, and a singularly handsome little plant. It was the Maxillaria cristata of early Orchid days, and considerable quantities of it were formerly imported, but it has now become very rare. We have flowered several plants during the past year at the Victoria Nursery, where they were greatly admired by those who saw them. It is a plant which comparatively few persons interested in Orchids have met with in blossom, and of which our plate gives a very correct representation. The flowers are remarkably curious, not only for their structure, but also for their colouring, as will be seen by reference to our illustration. The plant has, moreover, a very peculiar mode of throwing out its flower-spikes.
We have also flowered Paphinia rugosa, another very singular and pretty plant, after the same style, but differing in colour, and well worth cultivation. They occupy but little space in the Orchid-houses, and are best grown in small pans suspended near the glass where they have the full benefit of the light, but must be shaded from the sun since their thin-textured leaves would suffer injury from too complete an exposure.
Paphinia cristata, is a low-growing plant, with small shiny pseudobulbs, and light green plicate foliage about eight inches in height. It is a free-blooming species, generally producing three flowers on a scape which proceeds from the base of the pseudobulb after that has completed its growth. The flowers last in beauty for about a fortnight, and are produced at different periods of the year. The sepals and petals are nearly covered with transverse parallel lines of dark chocolate-purple on a creamy yellow ground; the lip is coloured in a similar manner, and furnished with some curious tufted fringes.
These plants are not so easy to cultivate as some other Orchids; but, by bestowing on them a little extra care and attention, they may be kept in a thriving and healthy condition. We find them to grow best in small pans, nearly filled with drainage, and a lump of charcoal on the top of it; place the plant on the top of this with but little rough fibrous peat or live sphagnum moss about the roots, and so that it is elevated a little above the rim, as it has the peculiarity of throwing its flower-spike downwards.
This species is a native of Guiana, and of the adjacent island of Trinidad. In the latter it is found growing on decayed branches of trees in the neighbourhood of the mud lake. In the former it occurs in the warmer parts of Demerara, and, consequently, must be cultivated in the warm house, and kept in a moist atmosphere during the season of its growth; when at rest, however, a smaller quantity of water will suffice, but it should never be allowed to shrivel, as, when once its condition becomes bad, it is very difficult to restore its health.
Odontoglossum Alexandræ flaveolum.—Whoever expected ten years ago to see a yellow-flowered Odontoglossum Alexandræ (?) No one, we should think, unless it were by a great stretch of the imagination. However, here is one from the fine collection of G. Hardy, Esq., of Timperley, Manchester. The flowers in every respect resemble those of O. Alexandræ, except in their colour, which is a bright canary-yellow. The spike before us bears fifteen expanded flowers, and is one of the greatest surprises we have had the good fortune to meet with for a long time. It is true that distinct varieties of this “the Queen of Orchids” are turning up almost every day, but one seldom has a chance of seeing an entirely new break of colour of this sort. We believe that a variety with yellow flowers bloomed some time ago in the Broomfield collection, but the colour was not so decided in Mr. Warner’s plant as it is in the case now before us.—B. S. W.
PL. 35. ODONTOGLOSSUM ANDERSONIANUM.
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs ligulate-pyriform, costate, two or three inches high. Leaves broadly linear, acute, about a foot long, of a light green colour, two from the top of each pseudobulb, with occasionally another from its base. Scape radical, spreading, more or less drooping, supporting a branching raceme about two feet long. Flowers resembling those of Odontoglossum Alexandræ, but smaller, prettily spotted; sepals ovate-oblong, acute, slightly crispy, creamy white, heavily and irregularly blotched on the lower half with bright chestnut-brown, the attenuated upper half unspotted; petals similar in form and colour, the blotches which are also on the lower half smaller, and more thickly placed; lip from a cuneate base, pandurate, narrow in front, apiculate, distinctly wavy and toothed, creamy white, yellow at the base, with fewer and smaller brown spots; disk deep yellow, with a prominent crest dividing in front into two divergent horns. Column greenish towards the base, brown in front, the wings and anther-case white.
Odontoglossum Andersonianum, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, 1868, 599; Id. 1872, 41; Floral Magazine, 2 ser., t. 45.
The charming Odontoglossum Andersonianum, supposed to be a wild mule between O. Alexandræ (crispum) and O. præstans or O. gloriosum, is one of the many prettily spotted Odontoglots which have been introduced into our collections during the past few years, and among which new varieties are continually appearing. One of the best forms of this plant which has come under our notice is that represented in the accompanying plate, prepared from a very beautiful specimen which bloomed last year among many other fine Odontoglots, well cultivated in the collection of Messrs. William Thomson & Sons, of Clovenfords near Galashiels.
The Odontoglossum Andersonianum is a compact-growing plant, with pyriform pseudobulbs two to three inches high, pale green leaves, and gracefully drooping branched flower-spikes about two feet in length. The sepals and petals are at first creamy white, spotted with purplish brown, the lip being also white, but less heavily spotted. The plant is of free-blooming habit, the flowers continuing fresh and perfect for a period of five or six weeks. It is exceedingly difficult to recognize this form until it produces its blossoms, as its growth is remarkably similar to that of O. Alexandræ. Indeed there are many forms and varieties of this particular group which it is impossible to recognize until their flowers are seen; and, though cultivators may sometimes feel assured of the identity of individual plants, the production of flowers not unfrequently proves them to be mistaken.