PL. 101. ODONTOGLOSSUM LEEANUM.
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs ovate obtuse, nearly two inches long, pea-green, compressed, diphyllous. Leaves oblong-ligulate, acute, channelled towards the base. Scape radical, produced in the axil of a leaf investing the base of the pseudobulb, and terminating in an erect many-flowered raceme, furnished with small ovate bracts at the base of the pedicels, and having a few more elongated bracts below. Flowers stellate, about three and a half inches across, handsomely spotted; sepals slightly wavy, lanceolate, attenuately acuminate, narrowed to the base, clear bright yellow, deeper at the tips, dotted all over with rather small brownish crimson spots, which are here and there somewhat larger, those towards the apical part being less crowded by the smaller spots, the dorsal sepal with three red lines at the base; petals similar in form and colour, the larger less crowded spots being more evident, and the base marked by three lines of red; lip ovate-lanceolate, about two-thirds the length of the sepals, attenuated at the apex, bright yellow, deeper at the base, where there are a few red streaks, and with a large brownish crimson blotch towards the front, and a few marginal spots, the disk appressed to the column at the base, and bearing a thick linear keel, which extends into two rhomboidal toothletted lamellæ. Column sulphur-yellow, with a few reddish-brown spots, and a pair of falcate subulate ears or wings at the apex.
Odontoglossum Leeanum, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xvii. 525; xix. 694.
This is one of the most distinct Odontoglots that has come under our notice; and its prettily-spotted flowers are so attractive that every grower will be anxious to procure it. We believe, however, that the plant from which our drawing was made, is the only one known at the present time. It is in the possession of W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, in whose honour it has been named, and who is very fortunate in being the possessor of such a gem. There is little doubt of its being a natural hybrid. The plant was imported along with many others, none of which, however, have produced flowers approaching it in beauty.
Odontoglossum Leeanum is of evergreen habit, with pseudobulbs about two inches high, of a pea-green colour. The leaves also are of a lively light green colour, and about ten inches in length. The sepals and petals are of a pale yellow margined with orange, and spotted with rich red-brown, the lip yellow, also spotted with the same colour. It blooms during the winter months, and lasts for several weeks in beauty, forming a most effective contrast to the white flowers of O. Alexandræ and O. Pescatorei. The plant requires the same treatment as the two species just named, and blooms in the same way.
We paid a visit to the Downside collection of Orchids in June of the present year, and were greatly surprised to see the progress that had been made as regards the erection of new houses for each section of Orchids, and the pains and trouble which had been taken to make each house complete as regards ventilation, stages, and tanks for the reception of rain-water; even the paths are made to do their part towards the growth of the plants, as well as to provide for the comfort of those who have to do the work, as well as of the visitors, who may walk on them without wetting their feet, a paving brick with a scored surface being used, so that the water thrown down remains in the depressions of the surface, and gives off by evaporation a continuous supply of moisture to the atmosphere, which is what the plants require in the summer season when in full growth.
There was one long house filled with Masdevallias in grand beauty—a glorious sight, embracing all the best species and varieties that can be procured. Close by was the Odontoglossum house, with the plants on the side tables one mass of bloom; and besides these, there was a fine lot of Odontoglots, including some good forms, blooming in full beauty, in another house. Here also was the finest Cattleya house we have yet seen, there being many hundreds of flowers, consisting of Cattleya Mossiæ, of which there were some of the grandest varieties we have met with; also some fine examples of C. Warnerii, rich in colour, intermixed with C. Mendelii in variety, C. gigas, with its bold richly coloured flowers, and many fine specimens of Lælia purpurata in full beauty. In the same house was a fine lot of specimen Vandas, placed on the centre table, they were in fine health, and with their graceful foliage towering above them, and their distinctly-coloured flowers, altogether formed a pleasing contrast to the Cattleyas.
The India house was gay with species of Aërides and Saccolabium, among which were some very rare ones, too numerous to mention. There was also a fine house devoted to Phalænopsis, as well as one for Dendrobes, many of which were in bloom. Next to these was a structure devoted to a good collection of Lycaste Skinneri, and other kinds that require the same treatment. Much credit is due to Mr. Lee’s gardener, Mr. Woolford, for the great interest he takes in maintaining the health of the plants under his care.
Mr. Percival’s Cattleyas.—We have received from R. P. Percival, Esq. of Southport, a box containing a fine series of Cattleya Mossiæ, C. Mendelii, &c. Mr. Percival informs us that he has now (June) as many as three hundred and thirty-six blossoms of C. Mossiæ open; and taking the flowers sent us as a sample, they are of a very fine strain, and must present a gorgeous coup d’œil in the Orchid house. Accompanying the Cattleyas was a grand spike of Odontoglossum vexillarium splendens, with very large flowers fine in form and deep in colour.—B. S. W.
PL. 102. PLEIONE HUMILIS TRICOLOR.
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs lagæniform or bottle-shaped, that is, ovate with the neck narrowed, at the flowering period leafless. Leaves produced subsequently to the flowers, oblong-oblanceolate, five-nerved, membranaceo-herbaceous, of a dark green colour, paler beneath, the base enclosed in a tubular sheath. Peduncles short, one-flowered, furnished with sheathing bracts, the upper of which is oblong-lanceolate, petaloid, longer than the ovary, and becoming at length contracted, leaving the peduncle exposed. Flowers proportionately large, showy, four inches across and three inches deep, produced before the leaves are developed; sepals narrow-lanceolate, spreading, and of a delicate blush or pale rosy purple tint; petals similar in form and colour, recurved; lip large, obovate, emarginate, closely frilled at the edge, and distinctly fringed with long hair-like teeth, sulphur-yellow, the central portion having about six longitudinal fimbriated veins, alternating with a corresponding number of pale tawny brown lines, the broad margin wavered by irregular divergent bars and blotches of the same colour. Column free, erect, winged.
Pleione humilis tricolor, Reichenbach fil. MS.
Pleione is a small genus, an offshoot of Cælogyne, distinguished, perhaps, mainly by habit, which we are pleased to bring before our readers, since the species form a charming group of dwarf-growing free-blooming plants, easy of cultivation, and blossoming at a time—autumn and winter—when flowers are most useful. They may, indeed, be grown on a shelf in any warm house. Several of them are very beautiful in colour, such as P. Wallichiana, which is of a deep rose; P. Reichenbachiana, lilac-purple and magenta; P. maculata, white and crimson; P. lagenaria, mauve and white; besides which there are several others of almost equal beauty. In those we have here mentioned, however, we get a charming contrast, and they flower about the same time. In their native country the Pleiones are called Indian Crocuses, a very appropriate name for them, as they are low-growing and destitute of leaves when flowering. In our houses this apparent defect can be met by intermixing them amongst Ferns, setting their flowers just above, and the Ferns as a carpet or border for them. The variety of P. humilis, figured in the accompanying plate, is a most beautiful one, which was bloomed at the Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, and was named by Professor Reichenbach. It is quite distinct from those already mentioned, and it blooms very freely in winter, which makes it a desirable plant for cultivation.
Pleione humilis tricolor is of dwarf deciduous habit, with dark green foliage, attaining about six inches high, which is cast off after the growth is completed: these leaves have about five principal nerves, with five intermediate ones extending from the base to the apex. The flowers proceed from the base of the curious flask-shaped pseudobulbs, and grow on scapes about three inches high, the flowers being large in proportion to their stature. The sepals and petals are of a pale rose colour, while the lip is pale yellow, distinctly spotted with dull brownish orange. The blossoms are produced during January and February, and last about two or three weeks in beauty. This plant is best grown in a pot with good drainage, of which, in the first place, the pots should be half filled; then mix some good fibrous loam and peat, with a little sphagnum moss and sand, and use this as a compost. They must have a good supply of water during the growing season, but when the pseudobulbs have matured their growth, they must be kept nearly dry until they show signs of flowering, when a little moisture will help them to swell. After the blossoms have faded, they require potting into fresh material, when they will soon begin to grow, and send new roots into the fresh soil. We always pot them afresh every year, since they lose all their roots. If requisite, several bulbs may be placed in a pot on the top of the soil. They must never be over-potted, indeed, we think they look better in small pots.
All the kinds we have mentioned require the same treatment, and will do well in a cool part of the East India house. We grow them in the Cattleya house, but they must be near the glass, and shaded from the bright sun, which soon affects their foliage, and if this happens, the bulbs will not be so plump and vigorous, and the result will be that the flowers will not be either so fine, or so numerous, or so well-coloured.
Vanda teres.—We recently received from J. Broome, Esq., Wood Lawn, Didsbury, Manchester, some fine spikes of blossoms of this most beautiful Vanda, and were surprised to hear that the plant had borne over two hundred and fifty flowers. What a glorious spectacle! On one of the spikes there were five of these charming flowers, each measuring three inches across. We saw this plant last year, and a most wonderful old specimen it is. It is trained cylindrically, and forms a grand massive plant, curious, withal, on account of its terete dark green climbing stems, thinly clothed with leaves, which are also terete, and of the same colour. No doubt it is one of the most distinct-looking of Orchids, and one, moreover, that few growers succeed in flowering well. It requires to be grown vigorously, with all the light that can be given to it in the growing season, during which period it should be well supplied with moisture. When at rest in winter it should have very little water, but should receive all the light and sun that can be secured for it, in order to cause the stems to ripen. When it shows signs of flowering, water may be supplied in order to induce the plant to throw out its flower-spikes more freely and with greater vigour.—B. S. W.
PL. 103. DENDROBIUM DRACONIS.
Epiphytal. Stems robust, jointed, the internodes nearly covered by the sheathing base of the leaves, striate, nigro-hirsute, about a foot in height. Leaves leathery, dark green, oblong-lanceolate, about three inches long, obliquely notched at the apex. Flowers in short three to five-flowered racemes, terminal or borne in the axils of the upper leaves, conspicuous from their fine ivory-white colour and distinct eye; sepals lanceolate, acute, entire, spreading, the dorsal one erect; petals also pure white, broader, ovate-lanceolate, spreading, the tips often recurved; lip three-lobed, the lateral lobes short, roundish-ovate, white, pencilled with cinnabar-red, the middle lobe three times longer, elongate-oblong, apiculate, the veins thickened, the margins crenulate and undulated, the disk minutely downy, and like the lateral lobes marked with a tuft of longitudinal cinnabar-red lines; spur funnel-shaped, horizontal, about equalling the sepals. Column short, greenish.
Dendrobium Draconis, Reichenbach fil., Botanische Zeitung, 1862, 214; Id., Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xix., 598.
Dendrobium eburneum, Parish MS.; Bateman, in Botanical Magazine, t. 5459; Id., Second Century of Orchidaceous Plants, t. 166; André, Revue Horticole, 1883, 132, with coloured plate.
Some confusion in reference to the name of this handsome Dendrobe has arisen in gardens where it has for about twenty years been known as Dendrobium eburneum. This name, a MS. one of the Rev. C. P. S. Parish, was attached to it in the Botanical Magazine for 1864, and by mistake attributed to Professor Reichenbach, who had published the name D. Draconis for the same plant in the Botanische Zeitung for 1862. The name Draconis, of course, takes precedence.
The plant which we now introduce to our readers under its correct name, is a most beautiful Indian Dendrobe, one which is quite distinct in growth, belonging to the nigro-hirsute group of which Dendrobium formosum is an example; it is, however, smaller, and a much better grower, and, in fact, more closely resembles D. infundibulum and D. Jamesianum, both in its habit and its flowers, which are produced very freely, as may be seen from the faithful representation of the plum and flowers which our artist has made. The drawing was taken from a specimen which bloomed in the Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, one of a large importation we received last year as D. eburneum, the true name of which, on submitting flowers to Professor Reichenbach, we learned to be D. Draconis. We have subsequently bloomed others with much larger flowers. It will become a most valuable plant for decoration, as its blossoms last so long after being cut, and being white it will be always in request.
Dendrobium Draconis grows about a foot in height. It is an evergreen plant, with dark hairy stems, producing deep green foliage and short racemes of flowers. The sepals and petals are pure ivory-white, and the lip is also white, with a bright vermilion throat. It flowers in May, June, and July, and lasts about six weeks.
This plant does well in pans or pots suspended from the roof of the East India house, near the light, as like all the Dendrobes it requires all the light possible in order to ripen its stems, but the burning sun must be kept from it. We have grown it in the stove hanging under a plant of Stephanotis, where there is little shade from the foliage of the Stephanotis, and with this treatment it has bloomed very freely. The best potting material for it consists of rough fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, with a liberal supply of water at the roots in the growing season. When the growth is completed give just enough to keep the stems in a plump state. It will grow either in pots or baskets suspended from the roof, and also on blocks of wood with live sphagnum moss about the roots, but under the latter circumstances when in vigorous growth the plants will require more water and attention.
Orchids at Sandringham, the residence of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.—A short time since we paid a visit to Mr. Penny to see the Orchids at Sandringham, and were much struck with the many fine specimens we saw in bloom, the mass of flowers on some of them, and the colour and size of the blossoms; they gave one the idea of being well cared for. Mr. Penny is quite an enthusiast among good plants, and appears to have selected some most beautiful species and varieties of the Orchid family, especially among the forms of Odontoglossum Alexandræ and O. Pescatorei, the fine drooping spikes of which are cut and sent to the Princess, who is a great admirer of them as decorations, intermixed with the bright Epidendrum vitellinum majus and Masdevallias, of which there is here also a well-grown set of plants. The Epidendrum vitellinum majus was conspicuous for its large spikes of bright orange-scarlet flowers; and we saw some splendid varieties of Masdevallia, with fine bright colours and large flowers. We noticed some well-grown plants of Odontoglossum vexillarium, with the flowers five inches across, and good in colour; Cattleya Mossiæ in good bloom, some of the flowers measuring eight inches across, of fine substance, shape, and colour; fine plants of C. Mendelii and C. gigas; some good plants of Lælia anceps, promising well for bloom in the autumn; and well-grown plants of L. anceps Dawsoni. This choice collection includes many other good Orchids grown for the purpose of cutting and used for decorating the mansion. The great aim of Mr. Penny is to grow those kinds that are most useful and lasting for that purpose. We quite fall in with him in this respect, as there are no flowers that are better adapted for decorative purposes than those Orchids which last long after being cut.—B. S. W.
PL. 104. ONCIDIUM FORBESII.
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs oblong obtuse, compressed, sulcate, two inches long, of a dull brownish green, each bearing one leaf from the apex. Leaves lanceolate acute, leathery, eight to ten inches long. Scape radical, bearing a many-flowered panicle. Flowers large, numerous, very showy, measuring about two and a half inches in both directions, handsomely marked; sepals obovate, recurved, about an inch long, deep chestnut brown, with indistinct transverse bands and marginal indications of yellow, the lateral ones connate; petals larger, about an inch and a half long, and an inch and a quarter wide, roundish-obovate, the margin undulate, the base suddenly narrowed into a claw, the central parts wholly deep glossy chestnut-red, the edge for about a quarter of an inch in width yellow, closely marked by short irregular transverse bars of chestnut-red; lip with a longish narrow claw, and large transversely reniform deeply bilobed front segment, an inch and three fourths broad, which is coloured like the petals, the claw spotted with yellow and red, crested, the crests usually consisting of five rugged equidistant warts, the two middle of which are sometimes wanting. Column with small angulate wings, banded with lines of violet.
Oncidium Forbesii, Hooker, Botanical Magazine, t. 3705; Lindley, Folia Orchidacea, art. Oncidium, No. 60; Williams, Orchid Grower’s Manual, 5 ed., 254.
The genus Oncidium is a very large one, and there are many species well known in cultivation, but the one we now illustrate belongs to a section in which there are few that are so distinct in colour. The flowers are not so large as in O. crispum, of which there are many distinct varieties, differing in size and colour—variations which often depend on the vigour of the plants. The same may be said of O. Forbesii, the stronger the bulbs the finer the blossoms. Our sketch was taken from a well-grown plant in the collection of E. Bonny, Esq., Downs Park Road, Hackney, who is forming a choice collection of Orchids.
Oncidium Forbesii is an evergreen species, with pseudobulbs of a greenish brown colour; the foliage is of a dark green, and the flowers are chestnut-brown, with the sepals and petals irregularly margined with bright lemon-yellow. It blooms at different times of the year, and lasts for several weeks in perfection. We find the plants do well in small pans or baskets, and also on blocks of wood. When grown in pans or baskets we have found them grow freely in good fibrous peat, with pieces of charcoal on the top of the peat, as they like to work their roots in among the charcoal, and should have plenty of drainage, and but very little peat earth. When cultivated on blocks they require more water in the growing than in the resting season.
These plants are not long-lived under our artificial treatment. There is something wanted that we do not or cannot supply, and hence it is difficult to keep them for any long period in a thriving condition. They seem, indeed, to wear themselves out by over-flowering or other causes which are very difficult to find out. The same thing happens in the case of some other Orchids. The bulbs of these plants should, if possible, be kept from shrivelling. They often seem inclined to shrivel after they have bloomed freely, and sometimes they lose their roots, especially when they have their flower-spikes left on too long. If the plant is not in a vigorous condition, it should not be allowed to bloom. We find they do best at the coolest end of the Cattleya house, kept as near to the glass as possible, but shaded from the hot sun, with sufficient water to keep them moist during the growing season.
Insects should be assiduously kept in check, for cleanliness is a great point in the culture of all Orchids. The plants are subject to the attacks of white scale and thrips. In all cases every effort should be made to keep the roots of the plants from being eaten off, as this would soon cause the bulbs to shrivel and the plants to dwindle away.
Mr. Bull’s Exhibition of Orchids.—We have been particularly pleased with this grand Exhibition. We thus see what the perseverance, courage, and enterprise of one man can do in bringing together a magnificent show of these gorgeous flowers for the gratification of the public—a show which enables them without any personal inconvenience to gaze upon and admire the wonderful floral products of distant lands. Indeed, even if the visitors to Mr. Bull’s exhibition had travelled to their native habitats, they could not have seen the plants under the same advantages, for many of them grow on high trees and rocks almost out of sight, and the different genera are nowhere to be found associated, except artificially, as Mr. Bull has them in his Orchid house. There in the month of June we saw some thousands of blossoms of different kinds of Cattleya, Odontoglossum, Oncidium, Lælia, Vanda, Masdevallia, Anguloa, Epidendrum, Sobralia, Cypripedium, Aërides, Saccolabium, Dendrobium, Phajus, Cœlgyne, Brassia, Calanthe, Chysis, Cymbidium, Disa, Lycaste, Maxillaria, Phalænopsis, Sophronitis, Thunia, and various other genera, groups of each kind being in many cases arranged in masses of different colours; the whole being intermixed with Ferns, Palms, and other fine foliaged plants, the combined effect was grand in the extreme—as those persons who know Orchids will readily imagine, while those who are not acquainted with their varied forms and lovely colours would not possibly be able to form any idea of the wonderful display of beauty produced by such an arrangement of such materials. We often see when there are Orchids at Flower Shows that the visitors flock around them, admiring their beauties of form and colour, but in the flower tent such a glorious and gorgeous effect as that produced by Mr. Bull’s display is never realized. We could say much more in respect to this Exhibition, but space will not permit.—B. S. W.
PL. 105. MASDEVALLIA HARRYANA ATROSANGUINEA.
Epiphytal. Stems slender, short, tufted. Leaves persistent, leathery in texture, with a nerveless elongate oblong-spathulate obtuse or somewhat acute blade, which is channelled at the base, keeled behind, of a dark green colour, narrowed downwards into a short petiole, three to four inches long, grooved in front, and invested at the base by long membranous brownish sheaths. Scape erect, about a foot high, striately pencilled with purple, furnished with a few appressed sheathing bracts, bearing a solitary flower at the top. Flowers richly-coloured and strikingly handsome; tube a quarter of an inch wide and three-quarters of an inch long, dull orange-yellow stained with rosy purple in front, the mouth more closed than in some other forms; dorsal sepal upwards of two inches long, narrow nearly to the base, filiform upwards; lateral sepals deflexed, broadly and obliquely flacate-lanceolate, acuminate, two and a half inches long, and nearly an inch wide, of a rich glowing crimson flushed with magenta; petals and lip small, hidden at the base of the tube.
Masdevallia Harryana atrosanguinea, Hort. Williams.
Of the genus Masdevallia a few years ago there were but a very limited number of species known in cultivation, but it is now becoming a very comprehensive one, thanks to the perseverance or our energetic collectors, who have striven hard to bring the plants home, and have in a great measure succeeded, although with many of them the task of importation has been very difficult.
The variety we now bring before our readers is one of the best forms of the Masdevallia Harryana group. The figure was taken from a fine plant in the collection of R. Warner, Esq., Broomfield, who is a most successful grower of Masdevallias, and blooms them with fine flowers and brilliant colours. They are cultivated in pits after they have bloomed in summer, and in autumn are brought back into the Odontoglossum house, where they complete their growth and bloom in spring. They require rough fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, and a good supply of water nearly all the year round. They must never get dry, as they are found in shady places, where the atmosphere is always moist. We find them to succeed well with the same treatment as Odontoglossum Alexandræ, but not in so cool a temperature as some growers keep these plants in. They do not, however, like to be kept too close, so that a little air must always be given, avoiding cold draughts, which are injurious to all Orchids, whether grown in cool or warm houses. The rule applies in this respect in both cases.
As regards shading none of these plants like the hot sun, but they need all the light that can be given them, without exposing them to bright sunshine. The blinds ought never to be let down when there is no sun, as the shade will draw them up dwindling and weakly, whereas if they have plenty of light they grow robust, and bring better flowers of a finer colour. This is the case with those at Broomfield, as Mr. Warner uses a very thin shading, and being in a fine open country place they get the pure air and clear light which is so beneficial to them. We believe the plants delight in this treatment, for we do not often see them doing so well in close places or in large towns as when they are located a few miles in the country. Most Orchids, indeed, thrive, fairly well in towns, provided their wants are attended to, but the treatment of course should be different, as when grown in close places they require more ventilation, and all the light that can be secured, whereas when grown in a country place like Broomfield, observation and experience must decide as to the necessities of the locality and its surroundings. Even then the cultivator requires much practice and forethought, in order to produce the best results, especially as the temperature varies so much in different situations: for instance, when, on the one hand, the houses are on a high hill exposed to all weathers, or, on the other hand, are in a sheltered spot on a hill-side, or in a valley, in all which localities there will be experienced considerable differences of temperature and light. The sun, moreover, varies in power. Orchid growers should find out the peculiarities of place and climate in which they are placed, and act accordingly. This is one of the great secrets in the successful cultivation of all plants, not of Orchids only; and in order to ensure success, all those points must be studied and acted on. Many growers are fully aware of these requirements, but others are not so well informed.
Masdevallias are free-growing and free-rooting plants, and are easily increased by dividing the tufts just as they are about to make their growth; but it must not be expected that these will flower well until they get established, which they will do best in small pots after being divided. The second year the growth will be stronger and as they get established larger pots may be given to them as required. Rough fibrous peat, sphagnum moss, and good drainage should be given, and the roots must be kept moist. Insects should be kept under. They are subject to attacks of green fly on their young growths and flower spikes, and of thrips on the leaves, which must be kept under, or the growth will be crippled.
PL. 106. MAXILLARIA LUTEO-ALBA.
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs large, about two and a half inches high, ovate obtuse, compressed, clustered, bearing at the apex a solitary leaf. Leaves stalked by the folding of the basal portion, oblong obtuse, a foot long or more, of a dark green colour. Peduncles radical, about half the length of the leaves, invested throughout with green sheathing bracts. Flowers large and peculiar in form, triangular in outline, and measuring about six inches from the top of the dorsal to the top of the lateral sepal, brownish externally; dorsal sepal linear-oblong, acute, three inches long, of a tawny yellow in the upper two-thirds of its length, the basal third white, lateral sepals of the same form, size, and colours, but twisted; petals two, erect, or somewhat projecting like two horns, ovate oblong, about half as long as the sepals, white at the base, with a few splashes of purple, yellow at the tip, with a blotch of pale brown of about equal size between; lip concave at the base, hairy, the margins undulated, three-lobed, the lobes obtuse, the lateral ones short, erect, yellow, striped with purple, the front one oblong, emarginate, recurved, the central portion convex, yellow, the margins paler, whitish. Column short, curved, creamy-white.
Maxillaria luteo-alba, Lindley, Orchidaceæ Lindenianæ, 20; Reichenbach fil., in Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematiceæ, vi., 516; Id. Bonplandia, ii., 15, 280.
The Maxillarias form a genus of Orchids not much appreciated by many growers, but of late there has been greater variety introduced among them, and they are becoming more popular in cultivation. Some of the better and more showy kinds are quite worth bringing before our readers, as they are free-growing plants, and most of them may be kept along with the cool Orchids.
Our figure of Maxillaria luteo-alba was taken from a plant we flowered at Holloway, and exhibited at one of the meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society, and for which we were awarded a First Class Certificate. We bloomed it many years ago, but we found that Orchid growers of the present day had many of them not seen it. We find it very useful for cutting purposes, as it flowers when the plants are small, which in our opinion is far better than making large specimens. When they get too large we cut them into several pieces, and grow them on again for blooming. The flowers having stalks about six inches long, may be cut without damaging the plants; they are extremely useful for button-hole bouquets, which are so much in request at the present day.
Maxillaria luteo-alba is an evergreen plant, with dark green foliage, and grows about eighteen inches high. The flowers proceed from the base of the pseudobulbs at different times of the year. The sepals and petals are of a yellowish brown, and the lip yellow margined with white, the throat being striped with purple.
We find this species succeeds well in the cool house, with Odontoglossum Alexandræ; good fibrous peat suits it well, and it requires good drainage, with a liberal supply of water at the roots when it is in vigorous growth, as it is a free-rooting plant. After the growth is completed it should have only sufficient water to keep the pseudobulbs in a fresh plump state. A little shade is beneficial to the foliage of the plant in summer, but it should be grown as fully exposed to the light and as near to the glass as possible. Under this treatment it will be found to grow freely.
Renanthera Lowii.—This noble plant, also known as Vanda Lowii, has bloomed very finely in the collection of Baron Alphonse de Rothschild, at Ferrières, near Paris, this being the finest and best grown specimen we have seen. The main stem is about six feet high, with four growths from it, and every leaf is perfect, which is rarely the case. It bore eleven of its charming pendulous spikes or racemes of flowers, each spike extended to the length of nine feet; it had a noble appearance. with its reddish brown flowers, marked by irregular lines of greenish yellow; but the most curious part connected with the inflorescence of this plant is, that at the base it produces two blossoms of a tawny yellow, spotted with crimson, quite dissimilar from the others. The plant in question is a most remarkable one, and we may say that it is the finest specimen we have had the good fortune to behold. Great credit is due to Mr. Bergman for the production of such a specimen. The eleven spikes were, we understand, cut and sent to the Baroness in London. Gardening is well carried on at Ferrières; every department is well kept. There are many thousands of plants grown for purposes of decoration, which is kept up through the whole year. The mansion is a splendid structure, and the grounds are beautifully laid out, abounding with fine trees, and provided with lakes. In fact, it is one of the finest and best kept garden establishments we have seen, and great praise is due to those who have the management of it.—B. S. W.
PL. 107. SACCOLABIUM CURVIFOLIUM.
Epiphytal. Stem dwarf, erect, densely leafy. Leaves crowded, distichous, linear, obliquely præmorse, with an acute apex, deflexed, channelled towards the base, pale green. Racemes erect from the upper axils, six inches long, densely flowered, the peduncles pale green, bracteate, the pedicels red, six-angled, with a small ovate bracteole at the base. Flowers bright cinnabar-red, about an inch across, somewhat concave; dorsal sepal obovate, with a claw-like base, entire; lateral sepals somewhat broader at the base, and unequal-sided, all spreading, and of a uniform dense cinnabar-red; petals of the same form as the dorsal sepal, and of a similar tint of colour; lip with a cylindraceous obtuse spur over a quarter of an inch long, to the front side of which is attached a tongue-like linear lamina, truncately-emarginate at the apex, and having a central paler orange rib with two knobs at the top of the spur-tube; at the back of the spur are two short erect lobes, which are convex outwardly, and with a boss or protuberance on the inner surface; lip more orange than the sepals, the processes at the end of the spur yellow; spur of the same colour as the lip. Column short, deep red, semi-terete, the angle winged upwards, the anther-case tinted with violet.
Saccolabium curvifolium, Lindley, Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants, 222; Bateman, Second Century of Orchidaceous Plants, t. 130; Lemaire, L’Illustration Horticole, xii, t. 493.
Saccolabium miniatum, Hooker, Botanical Magazine, t. 5326—fide Bateman and Lemaire.
The Saccolabium rank among the richest and most beautiful of the Orchid family; indeed, there are some magnificent species among those cultivated in our Orchid houses, which we hope to figure as time passes on. In the present illustration we introduce to our subscribers one of the small growing kinds, and one of the most distinct which we have seen as regards its habit and the colour of its flowers. Our figure was taken from a well-grown plant in the fine collection of W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, whom we are glad to observe is collecting and cultivating, along with the other East Indian kinds, the best species and varieties of this genus that can be obtained.
Saccolabium curvifolium is a dwarf and compact-growing evergreen plant, seldom seen more than a foot in height, with foliage of a light green colour, about four or five inches in length. It is a free-blooming kind, producing in May and June its bright orange-scarlet flowers, which continue in a fresh state for weeks. It is a very slow growing plant, and is seldom seen forming large specimens. Sometimes masses of it are imported, and these when set upon blocks of wood form charming specimens. We saw one in the collection of the Comte de Germiny, in France, which was most beautiful—two feet in height, and well bloomed; this specimen, which was suspended from the roof of the house, had a remarkably fine effect.
This plant will do either on blocks of wood or in small suspended pans or baskets, so that, it gets all the light possible. We find the best material to cultivate it in is sphagnum moss and a few pieces of charcoal intermixed, and it must have good drainage; it requires very little moss, as the roots like to enjoy the moist atmosphere of the house. The species is found growing on trees where the roots get the full benefit of the light and air; and if we imitate this as nearly as possible as regards their roots, we shall not go far wrong. Of course in our Orchid houses the treatment varies, and consequently the plant will require a little shade. The temperature required is that of the East India house.
Stanhopea gibbosa.—We have received from Alfred G. Wallis, Esq., of Balham, a grand spike of this great beauty. The plant, Mr. Wallis informs us, is growing in a wire basket about fifteen inches in diameter, and has borne five spikes of flowers, four of them with two flowers on a spike and one with one flower. The flowers are large, about six inches across; the petals are yellow, barred and blotched with crimson, the sepals assuming a darker tint of the same colour. Mr. Peacock was also successful in flowering this plant in June of the present year. It is a great pity Stanhopeas are not more popular among Orchid cultivators, as they form a very showy group of plants, their only drawback being the short time they continue in flower, and their very powerful and unpleasant odour.—B. S. W.
Disa grandiflora.—We received a wonderfully fine spike of this superb Orchid from Mr. Thomas Speed, the Duke of Devonshire’s gardener, at Chatsworth. The spike was two feet six inches in length from the pot, and bore twelve flowers of large size and fine colour—a bright scarlet and crimson, the lip veined with pink, which gives a nice contrast. It is a most charming cool-house Orchid that every one may grow who has an ordinary greenhouse. Mr. Speed is a most successful cultivator of this fine plant. We saw the first small plant he had to begin with some years ago, and this plant has gone on improving, and many offshoots have been taken from it which have also made fine specimens. The Disa really seems to be no trouble to cultivate. The way in which Mr. Speed treats it is to grow it in a common greenhouse, where it gets plenty of fresh air and light, and here it requires nothing but plenty of water in the growing season. It is grown in sphagnum moss and rough fibrous peat and loam. There is no doubt that this plant does not get shifted from the place where it was found to do well. This is a great secret in plant culture. When a plant is found doing well, let it remain where it is, unless on trial another place is found to be equally suitable. Few people grow this Disa well. The reason is, that they keep it in too warm a house, and coddle it too much. If they would follow Mr. Speed’s plan, there is no doubt they would succeed, if the plants are kept free from insects, and provided with sweet material about their roots.—B. S. W.
PL. 108. CATTLEYA TRIANÆ FORMOSA.
Epiphytal. Stems oblong, club-shaped, furrowed, the lower parts enveloped in whitish membranaceous sheaths. Leaves solitary, coriaceous, ligulate-oblong, obtuse, emarginate, deep green. Scape two to three-flowered, proceeding from a terminal oblong compressed bract or sheath. Flowers large, six inches in depth and seven inches in breadth, richly coloured; sepals lanceolate, acute, about three-fourths of an inch broad, blush or very dilute rosy-purple; petals much broader—two and a half inches, having the margins much undulated, of the same blush or pallid purple hue as the sepals; lip well displayed, convolute at the base so as to enclose the column, and of a pallid purplish colour, the apical portion roundish, emarginate, and expanded, nearly two and a half inches across, the margin including the portion surrounding the throat, very much undulated so as to form a crenate-lobate frill, the surface for about two-thirds of the front of a deep rich magenta-purple, the disk and throat orange-yellow, the upper edge paler, and the magenta tint passing backwards in streaks over the disk.
Cattleya Trianæ formosa, Williams MS.
We now present to our readers a portrait of a most splendid variety of Cattleya Trianæ, of which them are numerous handsome forms, varying in colour from rose to crimson and magenta, and also to pure white, with intermediate tints. During the past five years there have been very large importations, but none that we have seen surpass the varieties we have already in cultivation, such as Dodgsoni, Osmanii, Russelliana, and Williamsii. These varieties are most difficult to improve upon, but probably we shall get other splendid forms among the large importations as they come to us from the different districts which the species inhabits. The Trianæ section has given us a grand lot of varieties for winter decoration especially; there are very many distinct types among them, and they come into blossom at a time, during the dull months of winter, when flowers are wanted to make our houses gay. Our drawing was taken from a very large specimen that has been grown and bloomed by us for several years, and which we consider one of the most beautiful varieties in cultivation—we believe our plate will show us to be fully justified in so doing.
Cattleya Trianæ formosa is a free and strong-growing evergreen kind, attaining fifteen inches high, with dark green foliage and strong sheaths. The flowers are of large size and substance, and are thrown well up so as to have a bold appearance, much more so than many others of its class. The sepals and petals are of a blush pink, and the lip rich rose-magenta, being beautifully frilled and edged with a lighter tint of the same colour, two and a quarter inches in diameter, have the throat orange veined with a deeper orange. The flowers are produced in February and March, lasting for several weeks in beauty.
It thrives best in a pot with rough peat and good drainage, and requires the same treatment as C. Mossiæ and C. Trianæ, beginning to grow after it has finished blooming. These make their flower sheaths in summer, much earlier than most of the Cattleyas, which secures to this section more light and heat in which to finish off their growth before winter sets in. Their pseudobulbs must be kept dry during winter, as if allowed to get wet they will probably rot away; therefore, when their growth is finished, give only sufficient water to keep the pseudobulbs in a plump state.
Orchids at Gouville.—The Comte de Germiny, Chateau de Gouville, France, has a noted collection of Orchids, which we recently had the pleasure of visiting. We found many grand specimens that interested us exceedingly, including fine Cattleyas, Lælias, Saccolabiums, Aërides, Vandas, Angræcums, Cypripediums, Phalænopsis, &c. We gave a short notice of this splendid establishment in our second volume, and now confine our remarks to the specimens we saw in flower. Of Cattleya labiata pallida there were two wonderful specimens, with over one hundred pseudobulbs on each; the first had forty-eight expanded flowers on it, and the other twenty-eight, a most gorgeous sight. Contrasting well with these were several good plants, in full bloom, of Epidendrum nemorale majus, with their drooping spikes of showy delicate rose-coloured flowers. These were backed up with a fine specimen of Sobralia macrantha, bearing thirty spikes of its rich purple and crimson flowers, of a large size. Then came Epidendrum vitellinum majus, suspended on a block, with twelve spikes of its bright orange-scarlet flowers, which always form a fine contrast with the surrounding colours. Near this were fine specimens of Cattleya crispa superba, and a specimen of Cattleya Mendelii. There were also some fine Vandas in full beauty, as well as Oncidiums with bright yellow blossoms, and Dendrobium suavissimum, with orange yellow and brown spotted flowers. A fine specimen of Epidendrum prismatocarpum was showing fourteen spikes. M. Rondeau, the energetic gardener, informed us that they had at one time three hundred and ninety expanded flowers of Cattleya Mossiæ, Mendelii Warnerii, and others, which must have been a gorgeous sight; also Cattleya citrina, different plants, that produced fifty-two of their yellow fragrant flowers. It is always a delight to a lover of good plants to visit a place where gems like these are the pride of the owner; and in this case we found that the Comte de Germiny not only has a good knowledge of his plants, but took the greatest interest in showing them to us.—B. S. W.