PL. 117. LÆLIA HARPOPHYLLA.
Epiphytal. Stems slender, terete, six inches to a foot high, invested with sheathing bracts, monophyllous. Leaves ligulate, acuminate, about an inch in breadth, dark green. Peduncle issuing from a longish terete sheath, and having raceme about six inches long. Flowers four to seven in a raceme, rather small in size, but highly coloured, and very attractive; sepals lanceolate, acute, one and three-quarter inch in length, and of a bright orange-vermilion; petals similar in size, form, and colour; lip three-lobed, the side lobes erect plane, of the some orange colour as the sepals, with the acute upper front angle whitish and somewhat drawn out, the margins just meeting over the column, the middle lobe creamy white, the disk marked with four orange-coloured lines, about twice as long as the side lobes, linear acuminate, recurved, with a crispy margin; keels nearly obsolete.
Lælia harpophylla, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, 1873, 542; Floral Magazine, N.S., t. 372; Garden, xxiii., 116, t. 400.
This, observes Professor Reichenbach, is one of those curious plants which “are not decided species, and yet they must be named and registered. It would be Lælia cinnabarina, if it had not a stem as thin as that of a showy Pleurothallis, a single acuminate leaf, and much narrower and straighter parts of the flower.” * * * “Perhaps it is a mule between a Brassavola and Lælia cinnabarina?” Whatever its origin and direct relationship, there is no doubt that it is one of the most distinct and beautiful of Orchids, as it affords a colour that is not only rare, but exceedingly effective. The flowers may be considered small as compared with the majority of the species of Lælia, which, indeed, are generally large-flowered, and rank among the most gorgeous and showy of Orchids, but even in this species they measure fully three inches across. It is a singular fact, that most of the orchidaceous species with orange-vermilion flowers have blossoms smaller than those of other colours. We have often noticed this fact amongst the Orchids that we have met with, and, indeed, it my be observed through nearly all the genera, that there are no large-sized flowers of this orange or vermilion colour. We are, however, hopeful that our energetic collectors may succeed in importing some having this character. It is true the Sophronites grandiflora bears highly coloured vermilion-scarlet flowers which may be considered large in proportion to the size of the plant, and a most charming Orchid it is, but we should, nevertheless, welcome some examples, at least, of these brilliant and startling colours among those larger-growing subjects which produce larger flowers.
Our figure of this charming Lælia was taken from a finely-bloomed specimen in the well-grown collection of F. A. Philbrick, Esq., of Bickley, under the care of Mr. Heims, who has succeeded in flowering it very successfully. It was a very rare plant a few years ago, and then commanded a high price; but of late years there have been received large importations of it, and it may now be purchased at a more reasonable cost. The varieties vary to some extent in the size of their flowers and in the particular shade of colour, which is found to be the case with nearly all the imported Orchids.
Lælia harpophylla is an evergreen species, with thin stems and long narrowish pointed foliage, of a dark green colour; it grows a foot or more in height, the flower-spike proceeding from a sheath at the top of the stem, and rising about six inches above it, several flowers growing together on the spike. The blossom is of a beautiful bright orange-vermilion, and the lip is edged with white. It is a free-flowering plant, blooming in March, April, and May, and continuing its inflorescence for four or five weeks.
We find it to succeed well potted in fibrous peat, to which must be added good drainage, and a liberal supply of water during the time of its growth. The soil should also be kept moist through the resting season, so that the bulbs and foliage may be kept plump, as the bulbs being very thin, they require a more constant supply of nourishment than those of plants which have bulbs of a more substantial character. We have grown these plants in the Cattleya house, as near the light as possible, for they grow weakly if far off the light, though they require shading from the burning sun. They must also be kept free from insects.
Lælia amanda (Cattleya Rothschildiana).—This fine species, or natural hybrid, is cultivated under the two names above quoted, as we learn from a letter which accompanied some flowers of the plant, for which we are indebted to W. E. Brymer, Esq., Ilsington House, Puddleton, near Dorchester, and of which our artist has taken advantage to secure a drawing for the Orchid Album. The flowers somewhat resemble in character those of Cattleya maxima, but the stems (pseudobulbs) and foliage are quite distinct, being two-leaved, while the flowers are more chaste-looking than those of that species. The plant is very beautiful, and is a decided acquisition to this class of Lælias, the flowers being bright rose veined with rosy purple, and produced in October, at a season when there are but few Orchids in bloom, which makes it all the more valuable.—B. S. W.
PL. 118. ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ COOKSONII.
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs oblong-ovate, compressed, diphyllous. Leaves ligulate-oblong, acute, channelled and narrowed towards the stalk-like base, of a cheerful green colour. Scape radical, supporting a many-flowered raceme exceeding the leaves, and having small acute bracts at the base of the pedicels. Flowers large and beautifully spotted; sepals ovate acuminate, the dorsal one rounded at the base into a short broadish claw, the margins revolute and undulate, white, with a few bold irregular blotches of brownish crimson, of which one is placed near the apex, and another forms an irregular transverse bar across the centre; the internal ones narrowing towards the base; petals broadly ovate acuminate, narrowed into a claw at the base, the margins entire, undulated, white like the sepals, with three or four rounder and smaller spots; lip oblong-ovate, with the shortly cuspidate apex recurved, the margins toothletted and much crisped, white, with a rich yellow stain on the disk, and a broad brown-crimson blotch on the anterior portion, the edges of the produced lobes inflected yellow striped with red, and broken up into a few short acute teeth; from its base proceed three blunt yellow ridges, of which the central one stops short with a blunt point, and the two side ones are continued into acute projecting yellow horns, having about midway an erect tooth on the upper margin. Column arcuately clavate, yellowish, winged, the wings white stripped with brown, toothed in the upper part, the teeth large, irregular, and set on behind the margin of the brownish prominent edge of the stigmatic cavity.
Odontoglossum Alexandræ Cooksonii, Williams and Moore, supra.
It is with the greatest pleasure that we are now enabled to present to the notice of our readers an illustration of this most splendid variety, which is, no doubt one of the best of the spotted forms of the Princess of Wales’s Odontoglot, Odontoglossum Alexandræ (crispum). We are greatly indebted to N. C. Cookson, Esq. of Wylam-on-Tyne, in whose honour it is named, for his kindness in sending such ample materials for figuring so splendid a variety. We are constantly receiving examples of charming forms of this beautiful Odontoglot, which is sought after so much by those who grow cool Orchids, for the plants take no more, or but little more room or heat than the commonest greenhouse plants. Indeed, they are quite easily grown when they get the proper treatment, and are planted in proper material. They must be kept cool during the summer months; and in winter the thermometer may range from 45° to 55°.
Odontoglossum Alexandræ Cooksonii is en evergreen plant, growing like O. Alexandræ itself, along with which it was imported. The sepsis and petals are white, irregularly and heavily marked with brownish crimson; while the lip, which is of the some colour—white, and spotted with brownish crimson, bears in addition a golden yellow crest. It flowers during the summer, and lasts for about six weeks in bloom, requiring the same treatment as O. Alexandræ, which has been fully explained under Plate 47 of our first volume.
The Orchids at Dunlop House, Ayrshire, the seat of T. D. Cunningham Graham, Esq., include several wonderful specimens that have been many years attaining their present size; while it is remarkable to find such plants in perfect health. We were delighted to find such an example as may here be seen, of Angræcum sesquipedale, which from its size must have been one of those brought from Madagascar some years ago by the Rev. W. Ellis. This plant was nearly four feet in height, with two breaks at the bottom, and six flower spikes, perfect as a specimen, and such as those who are fond of well-grown plants would consider worth a long journey to see. Opposite to this were some remarkably fine plants of Vanda suavis, one of which is nine feet high in the main stem, with seven fine growths of four feet high, and five smaller growths. We believe we may safely say that this is one of the finest specimens we have ever seen. Vanda tricolor is nearly equally fine, having the main stem eight feet high, supplemented by four growths four feet high. There are besides other fine Orchids in the same house, and some good foliage plants, of which there is a fine collection. We have often heard it stated that Orchids cannot be successfully grown unless there is a house set apart for them; but the fact that these Vandas, Angræcums, &c., are grown in company with ordinary stove plants, at once upsets this notion, and proves that any one having a good stove may cultivate in them these most beautiful Orchids, which, we may add, are nearly always in bloom.
After leaving these grand plants we entered the principal Orchid house, wherein we also found many well-grown plants. We specially noticed Dendrochilum filiforme, a fine specimen, which had produced a great number of its drooping spikes. Vanda cœrulea was finely in bloom, as were Phalænopsis violacea, with its pretty violet coloured flowers, and P. grandiflora, a fine plant of a good variety. We were also glad to see the rare Cœlogyne ocellata maxima, a chaste and pretty Orchid. Arundina bambusifolia, was well in bloom, with four spikes of its light rose sepals and petals, and rich magenta lip. There were many fine Cattleyas and Lælias making good growths for next year; also Cypripedium superbiens, a fine specimen, and one of the best of the barbatum section. Next to it was a very large C. Dominianum, a pretty free-blooming hybrid, which continues flowering from the same spike for some months, a new flower coming on as soon as one goes off. There are many interesting plants grown at this place, and Mr. Kemp, the gardener, seems to take great interest in them, which is the way to ensure success.—B. S. W.
PL. 119. CYPRIPEDIUM SPICERIANUM.
Epiphytal. Stemless, with spreading distichous evergreen foliage. Leaves few, oblong-ligulate, sub-acute, heeled beneath, and there purple-spotted towards the base, six to eight inches long or more, thick and leathery in texture, of a dull glossy green colour. Peduncles erect, issuing from an oblong compressed basal sheath, dark reddish-purple, puberulous, eight to ten inches high, the flower emerging from an ancipitous linear-oblong obtuse bract shorter than the purplish three-ribbed ovary. Flowers about three and a half inches across, with a large pouch or lip; dorsal sepal large, standard-like, the base green, hairy, cuneate, suddenly expanding into an ovate, bluntly apiculate, transversely oblong lamina, two inches broad, the sides of which are recurved, auriculæform, white, or in some forms tinted with pink, the keel or central line being marked with a well-defined purple stripe; lateral sepals short, connate, ovate, acute, whitish-green; petals ligulate or linear-oblong, laterally deflexed, the margins neatly wavy, but most so upon the upper side, pale yellowish-green, with a median purple line and numerous purple freckles over the surface; lip large, the pouch somewhat bell-shaped, with round everted auricles on each side, and a broad acute sinus in front, glossy, olive green, with the anterior part dark reddish-brown. Column short, hairy. Staminode subquadrate, obsoletely three-lobed in front, mauve-purple, with a white border, and yellow markings in the centre.
Cypripendium Spicerianum, Reichenbach fil., in litteris ad cl. Veitch, December, 1878; Id. Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S. xiii., 363; Id. L’Illustration Horticole, t. 473; Id. Xenia Orchidacea, t. 231; Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S. xiii, 40, fig. 7 (woodcut); Hooker fil., Botanical Magazine, t. 6490; Moore, Florin and Pomologist, 1882, 179 (woodcut); Garden, xvii., 169 (woodcut); xxiii., t. 378 (coloured figure of blush variety).
There is, no doubt, that this Lady’s Slipper, which was first received in England by Herbert Spicer, Esq., of Woodlands, Godalming, in whose honour it is named, is one of the most interesting and distinct species that has been introduced of late years. It was also at one time very rare, and realised high prices, being much sought after in consequence of its being so different from the other species known in cultivation; but now that it has been brought home in larger quantities it is more accessible. The plant may be cultivated in any warm moist house, and is of free-growing habit, as well as free in producing its blossoms. There are several slight variations differing in the size and colour or their flowers. That which we here figure has the dorsal sepal white, while some plants have a shade of rose colour towards the base. Our drawing was taken from a plant in the Nurseries of Messrs. Hugh Low & Co. of Clapton, who received a fine importation about two years ago. Messrs. F. Sander & Co. have also added to our stock of this species; and we learn from them that “it grows on almost perpendicular rocks, from which the plants are loosened with sticks, and so let down, during the months of May and September. The water runs over these rocks—not in streams, of course, but sufficient water hangs round the plants to keep the soil and moss which is about them as wet as water itself. During the winter months this Cypripedium should not be grown hot.”
Cypripedium Spicerianum is a dwarf evergreen plant, with light glossy green foliage, six inches or upwards in length, and throws up its flowers on purplish downy stalks, some eight or ten inches above the foliage. The flowers are very peculiar, from the singular twisting of the dorsal sepal, which is white, or in some varieties suffused with rose, green at the very base, and having a broad purplish stripe along the centre; the petals, which are prettily waved especially along the upper edge, are green, with a central stripe and numerous dots of purple; and the lip is large, and of a brownish-green. The staminode in this species is very brilliant and conspicuous, being of a beautiful mauve-purple, with a white border. The plants bloom during September and October; and when a number of them can be obtained, and their growth regulated, they may be kept flowering for a much longer time, as each individual blossom lasts several weeks in beauty.
This interesting novelty requires the same treatment as C. Stonei, that is, to be potted in rough fibrous peat, intermixed with some charcoal and sphagnum moss; good drainage must also be afforded, as the roots must be kept moist during the growing season; in fact, they should never be allowed to get dry, as it has no thick fleshy bulbs or stems to support it. We find it do well in a warm house with other Cypripeds. Pot culture is the most suitable for it, but it will succeed in baskets suspended from the roof, if shaded from the sun.
Odontoglossum Alexandræ.—We have received a splendid variety of this popular Orchid from J. S. Bockett, Esq., of The Hall, Stamford Hill. The inflorescence was very distinct, and consisted of flowers of good form and substance, with the margins beautifully serrated. The sepals and petals were white flushed with rose, the sepals being in addition spotted with reddish brown, and the white lip was also spotted with brown. The flowers were, moreover, nicely regulated on the spike, so that the entire inflorescence had a particularly good appearance.—B. S. W.
PL. 120. DENDROBIUM DEAREI.
Epiphytal. Stems stoutish, many-leaved, two to three feet high, marked by numerous furrows, and invested by the sheathing leaf bases. Leaves densely placed, oblong-ligulate, emarginate at the apex, leathery in texture, two inches or more in length, sub-deciduous. Racemes numerous (six to nine) on one stem, issuing from the uppermost joints, each bearing from ten to eighteen flowers, terminal or sub-terminal. Flowers three inches across, pure white, exceedingly chaste and delicate, attached by three-winged ovaries; sepals lanceolate, acuminate, keeled; petals rhomboid-oblong obtuse; lip oblong obtuse, apiculate, the anterior part crenulate, with an obtuse angle on each side towards the base, which is somewhat cucullate, pure white, like the rest of the flower, but with a small blotch of pale green on the disk, crossed by about half a dozen green lines; spur or chin extinguisher-shaped. Column much dilated at the base.
Dendrobium Dearei, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xviii., 361.
This new species, which was imported last year, has now bloomed in many collections, and has proved to be one of the most beautiful and chaste amongst white-flowered Orchids—one that every Orchidophilist will admire, since it has so many good qualities to recommend it, being free-blooming, of a pure white, and lasting long in flower; moreover, each flower can be cut separately for button-hole or bouquet use, and the plant is also very effective for decorative and exhibition purposes during the summer months. Thus, by having a goodly number of plants, it may be brought in for several successive months; and the stronger the plant is grown the finer will be its flowers. The individual plants vary somewhat, which may be caused partly by some specimens being weakly, and in that case they will improve as they gain strength. It appears to be a very free grower, but time must prove that, and also if the plants are of long duration or not. Many of our Dendrobes last but a few years, and then require to be re-imported. Our sketch is from a well-grown plant in the grand collection of Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P., where we saw several other examples in bloom, some of them being very strong, and bearing as many as thirty flowers on a single stem.
Dendrobium Dearei, named in compliment to Colonel Deare, by whom it was first brought forward, is partly deciduous, losing the older leaves after it has bloomed; this is its aspect at present, but when we get it into a good growing state its foliage may perhaps stand for a longer time. It produces its flowers in spikes from the top of the stem, and also from the side towards their upper end, many together on the spike; they are pure white, with a little delicate green blotch and veins in the hollowed-out throat. The blooming season occurs during the summer months, and the individual flowers last for several weeks in beauty.
This species will do either in baskets or pots, filled with rough fibrous peat, sphagnum moss, and good drainage, to which a few small lumps of charcoal may be added. It will also thrive on blocks, with live sphagnum moss about the roots; but cultivated in this manner the plants require a more abundant supply of moisture during the growing season. It is a plant that likes to be grown near the light, and the East India house seems to suit it well. Both those in pots and those in baskets require to be kept moist at the roots during their period of growth; and, like other species of Dendrobe, this enjoys a good season of rest to cause it to flower more freely. The plants must be kept free from insects, and can be propagated by dividing the clusters of stems, leaving two or three to each division. After they are separated they should be put into a shady place until they begin to grow, when they may be allowed more light.
Masdevallia Chimæra.—We saw a wonderfully fine plant of this curious Orchid in the collection of the Marquis of Lothian, at Newbattle Abbey, Dalkeith, N.B. The plant was suspended from the roof of the house, and bore several finely expanded flowers, each measuring twenty inches across from the tip of one tail to that of the opposite one. The flowers were large in all their parts, of a dark purple colour, beautifully spotted and clothed on the interior surface with dark hairs, which is a peculiar feature of this section of the Masdevallias. Mr. Priest was kind enough to send us some flowers of this species for figuring, but unfortunately they withered before they reached us. It has always been so when flowers of this species have been sent to us, as they last for so short a time when cut from the plant.—B. S. W.
PL. 121. CATTLEYA LABIATA PALLIDA.
Epiphytal. Stems (pseudobulbs) erect, club-shaped, furrowed in age, eight to ten inches high, monophyllous, evergreen. Leaves oblong obtuse, leathery in texture, about ten inches long, of a lively green colour. Scape two-flowered, issuing from a short oblong bluntish sheath. Flowers large, six to seven inches deep, and six inches broad, superbly coloured; sepals lanceolate, three and a half inches in length, plane, recurved at the tip, of a delicate magenta blush, the lateral ones slightly smaller, of the same colour, with a paler central band, streaky; petals broadly ovate (two and a half inches wide), finely undulated at the margin, narrowed towards the base, of the same colour as the sepals, but with the base of the costa whitish; lip upwards of three inches long, obovate, the basal lobes connivent over the column, faintly stained with magenta, the front edge at the mouth of the tube spreading, of a creamy yellow, and undulated; the front lobe roundish, expanded, very finely undulated, deeply emarginate, the blush-tinted edge enclosing a band of creamy yellow, which becomes narrower towards the apex, where the roundish blotch (one and a half inches wide) of rich deep magenta runs out nearly to the margin, behind which, and extending backwards within the throat, is a radiate series of orange-yellow veins, with magenta coloured veins on each side within the tube. Column clavate, enclosed by the base of the lip.
Cattleya labiata pallida, Hort.; Williams, Orchid Growers’ Manual, 5 ed., 122.
The fine variety of Cattleya labiata here illustrated, which was introduced many years since, is still quite rare, indeed, as much so as the type itself. It is a most beautiful variety, and the plant, though seldom seen, is a most useful one, since it blooms at a time when there are comparatively few Orchids in flower, although some other of the Cattleyas that have been introduced during the last few years blossom at the same time. The plant from which our drawing was taken bore forty-eight expanded flowers, and was a grand example of good cultivation. It was grown in the superb collection of the Comte de Germiny, at Gouville, France, and was most perfect as regards foliage and flowers. Mr. Rondeau, the gardener, seemed delighted to show us this plant, as he might well be, as it made a grand floral picture. We gave a description of this fine collection after our visit to Gouville, as noted under Plate 108.
Cattleya labiata pallida is an evergreen plant, with the stems or pseudobulbs about eight inches in height, supporting one thick bright green leaf, about ten inches in length, and is one of the most compact-growing Cattleyas we have. The sepals and petals are of a deep rose colour, the lip of a yellowish white, with a large patch of bright magenta, the fore part margined with pale rose, and the throat bright orange. It blossoms in July, August, and September, and continues in beauty from three to four weeks.
This plant is best grown in a pot, with rough fibrous peat, perfect drainage being secured by filling the pots three-parts full with crocks, and mixing a few lumps of charcoal with the top of the drainage, and also with the peat, as this keeps the latter more open; the roots, moreover, like to cling to it, so that it is very beneficial to the plants. The plants should be well elevated above the top of the pot, and then the roots will run all over the soil among the charcoal and fibre, which they delight to grow in. When potted in this way the material keeps sweet for a much longer time, as the water is directly carried away and cannot become stagnant about the roots. The great secret is to have good drainage and sweet material for the roots to work in. If the soil gets bad remove it, and give the plants a fresh supply without injuring the roots.
Cattleyas do not like to be kept too moist at the roots even in their growing season; and when their growth is completed only just sufficient must be applied to keep their bulbs and foliage plump. We find it beneficial when Cattleyas are in vigorous growth to syringe the plants slightly between the pots, and should they have roots outside syringe these also a little, as it will invigorate them. Care must be taken not to wet the young growths, as water is apt to rot them, or cause than to damp off. It is an excellent method in the hot days of summer to pour water on the tables every morning and afternoon, giving air whenever there is an opportunity. Let them have all the light possible, using the blinds during the time the sun is hot, but never allowing the blinds to be down when the sun is on the decline. A great deal of the success of the plant depends on getting strong and well matured growth, which also causes the flowers to come more freely, to open of a brighter colour, and to last longer in bloom.
We find Cattleya labiata pallida to thrive best at the warmest end of the Cattleya house. It must be kept free from insects, as cleanliness is with all plants a great help towards successful development. The thrips and white scale attack these, and if not removed their foliage soon becomes disfigured, and the growth is often mortally injured.
PL. 122. CYPRIPEDIUM CURTISII.
Epiphytal. Acaulescent. Leaves distichous, coriaceous, oblong acute, recurved, channelled and equitant at the base, of a dull green, the upper surface boldly chequered with oblong markings of darker green, the under side keeled with the surface paler and unspotted. Scape (peduncle) pubescent, dull wine-purple, with a short compressed ovate bract just below the ovary, which is green striped with brown. Flowers solitary, remarkable for the small dorsal sepal and large pouch; dorsal sepal short, ovate acuminate, curving from the base upwards, greenish with a white edge and about ten greenish-purple nerves; lateral sepals united, very small, ovate, greenish with green veins; petals measuring about four inches from tip to tip, linear-oblong, acute, wavy, recurved at the tips, greenish in the upper, white in the lower half, indistinctly veined with purple, and thickly spotted with small purple dots, the margin copiously fringed throughout with short purple hairs; lip with a large oblong bluntly-rounded pouch (one and a half inch long) of a dull wine-purple with a few prominent darker purple veins, the upper edge of the sac with narrow side angles greenish inside, the basal part with the edges rolled inwards and dotted with purple. Staminode transversely oblong, emarginate behind and having in front an inwardly curved tooth on each side with an apiculus between, pale yellowish green, with darker green reticulations in the centre.
Cypripedium Curtisii, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xx. 8.
This new species is both distinct and rare. It is, moreover, very beautiful and one that every lover of Cypripediums will be looking after. There are some cultivators who do not care for this class of Orchids, and there are some others who grow all the species and varieties they can procure, making the collecting of them a hobby. We can fully understand the pleasurable feelings of these latter, as the plants are ornamental in foliage as well as in flower, thus always keeping up a good appearance; they are also very easy of cultivation, and most of them take but little room to grow in. There are now so many species and varieties—blooming, too, at different periods of the year—that a good display of flowers may always be had from them; and there are some of the species that will do in the Odontoglossum and intermediate houses, added to which their long-enduring quality scores as a great point in their favour. We are never without Cypripediums in bloom.
The specimen we are now figuring was flowered by J. Day, Esq., of Tottenham, who, we are glad to say, after parting with one of the largest and most rare collections of Orchids at that time existing, is now fast forming another collection. We have no hesitation in saying that Mr. Day has, to a greater extent perhaps than any other amateur Orchidophilist, a correct knowledge of the genera and species of Orchids. His first collection was of many years’ standing, and was the most complete as regards species and varieties that we ever saw; he not only had the plants under cultivation, but had besides many drawings taken by artists, and also took pleasure in sketching and painting them himself. We believe he still takes sketches of all the novelties which he himself blooms, as well as of some of those flowered by other growers, being a most proficient artist. All this shows what an intense love he has for this noble class of plants.
Cypripedium Curtisii, as will be seen by our drawing, is an evergreen plant with charmingly spotted foliage. The flowers are well thrown up above the foliage; the dorsal sepal is white veined with green, the petals crimson flushed with green and faintly veined and spotted with purple, and margined with a dense fringe of purple hairs, while the lip is large and of a reddish brown hue. This species blooms in July, and continues in beauty for several weeks. It requires the same treatment as C. barbatum and others of that class, and from its appearance we conclude that it will be found to be a free-growing as well as a free-blooming plant.
Zygopetalum Burkei.—This new species was exhibited by Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, on November 13th, and was greatly admired both on account of its distinct character and novel appearance. The pseudobulbs are about three inches long, carrying long narrow leaves; the sepals and petals are green transversely barred and spotted with brown; and the lip is white, and furnished with a crimson ruff or frill. It has been introduced from Guiana. Altogether this is a most distinct and desirable species, and we hope shortly to figure it.—H. W.
Cymbidium elegans.—W. McDonald, Esq., Woodlands, Perth, has kindly sent us a fine spike of this rare and distinct species. The spikes are very dense, and contain a large number of yellow flowers, which are very distinct. Mr. McDonald informs us that his plant bears seven spikes of flowers, a rather unusual number, and a fact which we think worth recording.—H. W.
PL. 123. LÆLIA GRANDIS.
Epiphytal. Stems (pseudobulbs) club-shaped, furrowed in age, about eight to ten inches in height, monophyllous. Leaves oblong-ligulate acute, leathery and rigid in texture, dark green, growing to about ten inches in length. Scape emerging from an oblong pale green compressed bluntish bract or spathe, about four-flowered, the racemes erect. Flowers rather large, measuring upwards of four inches in each direction without being spread out; sepals lanceolate, reflexed and much twisted, of a pleasing nankin or fawn colour; petals somewhat broader than the sepals, also convex and curled, finely toothed at the edge, of the same colour as the sepals; lip three-lobed, the lateral lobes rolled over the column at the base, spreading in front, where they are beautifully veined with magenta-rose, the middle lobe rounded with an apiculus, prettily crispate-undulate, creamy white pencilled over but more sparingly than the side lobes with delicate magenta lines; thus the whole surface of the lip is radiately venose with magenta-rose. Column club-shaped, concealed by the infolding of the lateral lobes of the lip.
Lælia grandis, Lindley, in Paxton’s Flower Garden, i., 60, fig. 38; Id., Gardeners’ Chronicle, 1864, 1202; Flore de Serres, vii., 238, woodcut; Id., xxiii., 297, t. 2473; Hooker fil., Botanical Magazine, t. 5553; Regel, Gartenflora, t. 698; Williams, Orchid Grower’s Manual, ed. 5, 205.
Bletia grandis, Reichenbach fil., in Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ, vi., 424.
We have now the satisfaction of submitting to our readers an illustration of a very distinct plant, one that is little known, and which is extremely rare. The flowers are most remarkable in the singular colour of the sepals and petals, and in the chaste and prettily marked lip or labellum. Lælia xanthina is often sold for this plant, which it much resembles in growth, but the flowers are totally different, as may be seen by a comparison of our present plate with the figure of the true L. xanthina, published in the first volume of the Orchid Album (Plate 23). This comparison will show that the two species are quite distinct in the form of their flowers, as well as in the colour and markings of the lip. We are indebted for the opportunity of figuring it to Baron Schröder, of The Dell, Staines, in whose fine collection it bloomed in June last, and was very much admired by those who saw it.
Lælia grandis is an evergreen plant, with the stems or pseudobulbs about eight inches in height, and supporting a dark green leaf about ten inches in length. The flowers are produced several together from a sheath at the apex of the stems; the sepals and petals are nankin-yellow, the lip cream-coloured distinctly veined over the interior surface with rose colour. The plant blooms in May and June, and the flowers last in beauty for two or three weeks.
This species is best grown in a pot with rough fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, and should have good drainage, which is very essential for securing the healthy condition of the roots of the plant; indeed, unless a plant makes good roots, and they are kept in a healthy condition, there is not much chance of its doing well for any length of time. When Orchids are making their roots, it is important that all insects, and other destructive pests, should be kept away from them, so that their root-points may not be eaten away, but kept in a growing state. We have often seen the roots of Orchids eaten off by cockroaches and wood-lice, both of which are most destructive to the roots of the plants.
This Lælia will also do well in baskets or pans suspended from the roof, or will even succeed on a block of wood; but if grown in this way the plants will require more attention as regards moisture at the roots. It requires the same general treatment as L. purpurata, and should be grown in similar materials.
Cymbidium affine.—At the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, November 13th, there was exhibited by A. Wyatt, Esq., of Cheltenham, a grand specimen of this rarity, bearing two spikes, one with thirteen, the other with six flowers; it is altogether distinct from the other species of Cymbidium, and seems intermediate between C. Parishii and C. Mastersii. The flowers are produced on upright spikes; the sepals and petals are white, and the lip white, having a few rosy purple blotches and stains in the throat and on its anterior part. The style of growth resembles that of C. Parishii, and it has broad foliage as in that species. It was deservedly awarded a First Class Certificate. Our artist has taken a sketch of the plant, and we hope soon to be enabled to present a representation of it to our subscribers.—H. W.
PL. 124. VANDA SANDERIANA.
Epiphytal. Stems short, tufted, densely leafy. Leaves distichous, recurved, rigid and leathery in texture, broadly ligulate, channelled, obliquely cut away at the acute apex, evergreen. Racemes axillary, many-flowered. Flowers huge (fully four and a half inches across), and from the parts lying in one plane having a primâ facie resemblance to those of Odontoglossum vexillarium; dorsal sepal roundish, obovate (one and three-quarter inches by two inches), of a delicate rosy blush on both surfaces, slightly stained with buff-yellow at the base; lateral sepals divergent, but overlapping, obliquely and broadly obovate (two and a quarter inches by three inches), pale nankin on the outer surface, the inner of a deep greenish yellow, with about nine longitudinal prominent veins of a bright purplish crimson, extending from the base to within a quarter of an inch of the tip, and connected by transverse lines of the same colour, breaking off into dots towards the margin; petals much smaller than the sepals, obovate-cuneate (one and a quarter inch by one and a half inch), the principal portion rosy blush like the dorsal sepal, but the lower edge tinged with yellow, and bearing a few purple spots; lip small, less than an inch broad, spurless, the basal part (hypochil) concave, pale purplish red, ribbed exteriorly with nankin-yellow, the front lobe (epichil) shortly stalked, bluntly heart-shaped, with the tip strongly recurved, chocolate-purple, with three prominent ridges or crests extending from base to apex, where the middle ridge just falls short of the two outer ones. Column very short, pale yellowish, almost touching the sides of the concave basal lobes of the lip. Ovary hexangular, pink.
Vanda Sanderiana, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xvii., 588; Id. xx., 440, figs. 67 (habit), 68 (inflorescence).
Esmeralda Sanderiana, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle. N.S., xvii., 588 in note.
We have no hesitation in stating that this is the most wonderful Orchid that has been introduced for many years—one which all growers will be delighted to possess, as it belongs to a most noble section of the Orchid family, of which there have long been many beautiful species in cultivation. That which we now illustrate, however, as regards size, far eclipses its congeners, since it produces the largest and most extraordinary flowers of any that have yet been brought to light. The Vandas are conspicuously beautiful in their foliage as well as in their flowers, and the introduction of this magnificent species will, we cannot doubt, be the means of inducing Orchid growers generally to take a more lively interest in their cultivation. What can be more charming than a fine variety of Vanda cœrulea, or V. suavis, or V. tricolor, all of which, moreover, bloom at the same time, and some of which blossom three times in the year; this, indeed, may be the case with V. Sanderiana, for if we may judge from the remnants of spikes which have bloomed in their native country, and are found on the imported plants, we may reasonably expect the cultivated plants to flower quite freely.
This will be a scarce Orchid for some time to come, if our collectors are not more successful in getting it home, for hundreds of plants have unfortunately been lost on the voyage, and we learn from Mr. Sander that case after case has arrived with all the contents dead; thus of the numerous importations a few plants only have reached England alive. Mr. Sander further informs us that this magnificent Orchid comes from Mindanao, a large southern island of the Philippine group, “where it grows, high up on old trees perched upright between the branches in situations which are not very shady. It requires a good heat and much moisture. It flowers in October in its native habitat; and the blooming of Mr. Lee’s plant would seem to indicate that in Europe also the plant will be autumn or early-winter flowering. This, however, has yet to be proved, as the time of the flowering of Orchids in their native country rarely corresponds with that of their blooming in this country, the difference, in many cases, being as much as six months.”
Our drawing was taken from a fine plant, imported, it appears, by Messrs. Low & Co., and now in the choice collection of W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, who has had the good fortune to bloom this magnificent species for the first time in Europe, under the care of Mr. Woolford. This plant produced three spikes of its gorgeous flowers, one spike having twelve blossoms, and another eight, which, we think, shows that it will bloom freely. Each flower is considerably over four inches in diameter; the dorsal sepal is, like the petals, of a blush-pink colour, but is distinctly larger than the latter, which have a dash of greenish yellow and a few crimson spots along their lower edge; the lateral sepals are also much larger and broader than the petals, being fully two inches in diameter, of a rich greenish yellow, distinctly and beautifully reticulated with purplish-crimson over the whole of the interior surface; the lip is dull brownish crimson, and has three keels along the centre, extending from the apex to the base. The plant blooms in September and October, and continues in blossom during several weeks.
We suppose this Vanda will require the same treatment as Vanda suavis, but time alone can prove this. We recommend it to be grown in the East India house, in a basket, with sphagnum moss and good drainage, and hung up as near the light as possible, since it appears to be a plant requiring that mode of treatment. We have one growing in this way suspended near the glass, and it is making fresh roots, but it does not seem to be fast growing. The fine specimens that have reached this country are from two to three feet high. We find it to keep healthy planted in crocks until the roots make a good start, after which some live sphagnum moss is placed in the pot or basket, and these being provided with plenty of drainage, the roots cannot possibly have any stagnant moisture hanging about them.