Part 10

Raised Blinds for Orchid Houses.—During the summer months we have found Raised Blinds very beneficial to the growth of Orchids, especially to those requiring cool-house culture. When the hot summer’s sun is shining upon the glass, it is very difficult, where Raised Blinds are not employed, to keep the temperature sufficiently low. The glass roof of the structure upon which the sun is shining becomes very hot, even when shaded with ordinary blinds; but if Raised Blinds are used a current of air is allowed to pass over the entire surface of the roof, and the glass is kept comparatively cool. The effect of this is to decrease very appreciably the internal temperature of the house; and the moisture, which would otherwise be dried up by the burning heat of the sun, produces a nice humid genial atmosphere in which Orchids delight. Having thus far referred to the advantages to be derived from the use of this method of shading, we may now explain briefly the mode of construction. Supposing that the house to be furnished with Raised Blinds is an ordinary span-roofed structure, it is necessary in the first place to provide a second ridge elevated about six inches above the top of the existing one. This should not consist of a solid plank, but of a strip of timber sufficiently strong to bear the weight and strain of the blinds and roller, and should be supported on blocks of wood placed at intervals in order to allow the current of air from below to find an outlet, which would not be the case if a solid ridge-board were adopted. Having arranged for the ridge, the next thing is to provide supports for the rollers; either wood or iron may be used for this purpose, but we have found iron to be the lightest looking and the most durable. Where the length of the rafters does not exceed say eight feet, half-inch rod iron will be found to be strong enough, and this should be cut into proper lengths, with the lower end turned up in a semi-circular form, so as to catch the roller when it descends, and prevent it from running off the supports. These supporting rods should be fixed to the bars or rafters of the house, about six inches above the woodwork, by being welded to vertical iron stays, which latter should be flattened out at the base, and provided with holes so that they can be screwed to the rafters or bars of the roof. In this way a strong support for the blinds to roll upon will be formed; the blinds themselves can be attached to the elevated ridge in the ordinary way, and the gearing usually employed for the purpose will be found to answer well for pulling them up or down. Many Orchid growers have already adopted these Raised Blinds with very beneficial results.—B. S. W.

CYPRIPEDIUM POLITUM. [Plate 36.] Garden Hybrid.

Epiphytal. Acaulescent. _Leaves_ radical, distichous, coriaceous, oblong, acute, palish green thickly chequered with dark bottle-green markings, the under side dull reddish purple. _Scapes_ solitary in the leaf axils, pubescent, purplish, terminating in a lanceolate sharply keeled bract, from which the solitary blossom emerges. _Flowers_ medium-sized, peculiar in form, rather showy; _dorsal sepals_ ovate-acute, ciliate, the inner surface polished, suffused with reddish purple in the lower part, whitish towards the tip, traversed by numerous green veins of which the alternate ones are longer and stouter than the rest, all of them distinctly marked on the outer surface; _lateral connate sepals_ smaller, ciliate, greenish white with green veins, rather shorter than the lip; _petals_ linear-oblong, about two and a half inches in length, glossy, deflexed (more so than in the figure), ciliate with a fringe of unequal black hairs, bright wine-red, greenish towards the base, where it is marked with several Indian-purple warts most abundant near the upper edge, exterior surface green; _lip_ narrowly pouch-shaped, nearly as long as the petals, suffused in front with the same purplish red tint, and marked thickly with green veins at the sides and back, the basal auricles erect, obtuse, interior surface green, dotted with wine-red, the incurved margins of the claw greenish yellow, with reddish spots. _Staminode_ transverse, yellowish green, with two large exterior teeth in front and a small inner tooth, light brown with green markings.

Cypripedium politum, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, N.S. xiv., 525.

This new Lady’s Slipper is one of a batch raised some few years since by Robert Warner, Esq., of Broomfield, near Chelmsford, who has been successful in producing several very good forms by the process of hybridisation. The plants are of dwarf habit, free-growing, and free-blooming, each small growth bringing forth its flower. This _Cypripedium politum_ has been flowered for several years past by Mr. Warner, and thus its characteristic features and its constancy are well ascertained. There are also some other distinct kinds obtained through the same cross, some of which we hope to figure on a future occasion. We should expect that the cross was made between _C. barbatum superbum_ and _C. venustum_.

_Cypripedium politum_ is a plant of compact habit and of free growth. The leaves are of a distinct and well-marked character, as will be seen in the very accurate portrait furnished by our artist. They are oblong, acute, about five inches long, and somewhat over an inch broad, of a beautiful light green, barred and chequered with a very deep or bottle-green, which gives it a very pleasing appearance; the under-surface is stained with a deep reddish wine-purple. The downy flower-scapes are also purple, some six to eight inches in height, each supporting a solitary flower, in which the dorsal sepal is ovate, polished, flushed in the lower part with purplish red and spotted with purple at the base, the upper part white, and the whole traversed by bright green veins which are alternately long and short. The petals are oblong, broadest at the apex, of a bright wine-red, polished, with black hairs along the margin, and Indian-purple warts near the upper edge, greenish towards the base and along the lower edge. The pouch-shaped lip is nearly as long as the petals, purplish red with a coppery tinge, glossy, veined with green at the sides and back. The flowers are produced during January and February, a season when they are much in request for decorative purposes. The Cypripediums are very useful for furnishing a supply of cut flowers, as they will keep fresh for several weeks in water, and will last for at least six weeks on the plant.

These interesting plants are of easy cultivation, and occupy but little space, hence they may be accommodated in every small collection, and may be grown without much expense. The species and varieties forming the _barbatum_ group, to which this plant belongs, all require similar treatment. They may be grown either in the Cattleya or East India house, and are best cultivated in pots. Some of our Orchid-growers prefer to plant them in sphagnum moss, others in peat; for ourselves, we prefer to use good fibrous peat, ample drainage being provided. We have seen them thrive well in fibrous loam. The plants must be kept above the rim of the pot, as they root freely over the surface of the rough material. Since they have no fleshy bulbs to support them, and their growth is continuous almost throughout the year, they require to be liberally supplied with water at the roots; for this reason the pots must be well drained.

Insects require to be constantly searched for. The scale sometimes appears upon the plants, but may easily be subjugated by sponging the surface with clean water. Their greatest enemy, however, is the red thrips, which must be hunted up and destroyed if the health of the plants is to be maintained, but it may be easily kept under if promptly, perseveringly, and vigorously attacked.

Dendrobium macrophyllum.—We have received two splendid spikes of this magnificent Dendrobe, with flowers of an unusually fine colour, from a well grown specimen, such as we might expect from so experienced a grower as Mr. Penny, of the Royal Gardens, Sandringham, who has been one of the most successful exhibitors of specimen Orchids at our London shows, where he has, with the large collections staged by him, carried off nearly all the leading prizes. We hope at some future period to be able to figure this fine Dendrobium, the sepals and petals of which are of a rose-magenta colour, and the lip of the same colour, with a purplish crimson throat. We received with the Dendrobe a fine spike of the white-lipped form of _Odontoglossum Hallii_ in grand condition, the sepals and petals being of a very bright golden yellow with rich markings of a brownish crimson colour. This variety forms a splendid contrast with the white-flowered _O. Alexandræ_ and _O. Pescatorei_, of which kinds there is a fine collection at Sandringham. The Prince of Wales is a great admirer of these as well as of other good Orchids.—B. S. W.

CYPRIPEDIUM CHLORONEURUM. [Plate 37.] Garden Hybrid.

Epiphytal. Acaulescent. _Leaves_ radical, distichous, coriaceous, oblong acute, closely tessellated with dark hieroglyphic markings on a light green ground, the under surface reddish purple. _Scapes_ solitary in the central leaf-axils, pubescent, reddish purple, one-flowered, with a very short ovate bract. _Flowers_ large, with expanded petals, rather attractive in colour; _dorsal sepal_ broadly ovate, bright yellow-green with white margin, and a narrow purple central stripe, on each side of which are about four strongly marked dark green longitudinal veins, connected by finer transverse veins; _lateral (connate) sepals_ small; _petals_ oblong, broader upwards, two and a half inches long, and three-fourths of an inch wide, with green longitudinal veins, and a dark purple central line, on one side of which (the upper half) they are washed with wine-purple, and have a yellowish buff margin, and a few black warts near the base, where they are ciliated; on the other (lower) half very slightly tinted with purple, the cross veins more apparent, and the margin green; _lip_ rather large, shortly pouch-shaped, heavily stained with wine-purple, and freely marked with bold reticulations of a darker purple, the upper angles yellowish at the margins. _Staminode_ transversely reniform, pale green, with dark green feathery markings in front.

Cypripedium chloroneurum, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, N.S., xiv., 525.

This is one of the most distinct of the new hybrid Lady’s Slippers that have been recently introduced to the notice of Orchid-growers; it will also be appreciated as one of the most useful, being of a neat free-growing and abundant-blooming habit of growth. The Cypripediums are everybody’s plants, that is to say, any one who has a place adapted for their cultivation can manage them without difficulty. Many growers make them their especial care and study, procuring every species and variety that can be obtained, and thus forming a very interesting and diverse group.

Our present subject was raised by Robert Warner, Esq., in whose collection at Broomfield it has been blooming very abundantly, and it was from Mr. Warner’s plant that our drawing was taken. The variety resembles the one figured on plate 36 in being of free-blooming habit, and also in being very attractive in regard to its foliage as well as its flowers. Many hybrid Cypripediums have been raised in this country of late years by the Messrs. Veitch and Sons, and also by other growers. Some of these have proved to be very beautiful and effective subjects, and no doubt there are others coming forward that have not yet bloomed. Many splendid novelties may yet be gained by crossing those kinds that have flowers of distinct forms and colours, and, as many of the varieties bloom simultaneously, the hybridiser will find abundant opportunities for carrying out his plans.

These plants appear to be easily raised from seeds, and to reach the flowering stage sooner than most other seedling Orchids.

Some of the Cypripediums thrive well in a cool house, and by fertilising these with the best of the stove species, a new set of cool-house forms would probably be obtained. Such a result would be one of considerable importance to Orchidists, as no doubt, if varieties of a different character to those we already possess could be obtained, some of our enthusiastic growers would take up their cultivation in good earnest. At present the majority of the Lady’s Slippers require a warm house.

_Cypripedium chloroneurum_ is a dwarf compact-habited plant, with evergreen foliage about six inches in length, beautifully variegated with closely chequered markings of dark and light green. The flowers are produced in January and February, and continue on for several weeks. The colours are distinct and attractive, the broad flat dorsal sepal being of a bright lively pale green striped with darker green nerves and bordered with white, the petals suffused with purple on the upper half and marked with black marginal warts, and the purplish lip freely ornamented with bold dark purple reticulations, altogether presenting a remarkably effective appearance.

This novel hybrid grows freely when potted in rough fibrous peat with good drainage. When in vigorous growth it requires a liberal supply of water at the roots. Propagation is accomplished by dividing the plants after they have finished blooming and are ready to start into fresh growth; they can then be divided with safety by cutting off a back growth with a leading shoot in front of it, but care must be taken in cutting that the remaining portion of the plant is provided with an eye so placed as to break and form a new growth. When this young growth has been made, the divided plant may be shaken out from the old soil and potted. The offshoots should be placed in small pots until the following year, when, if they have made good growth, they may require to be repotted. They must be kept moist and in a plump condition, as they have only slender resources of their own to rely upon, but they root freely. As the plants get established they will require larger supplies of water, for which reason good drainage must be secured.

Aërides Leeanum.—This novelty has bloomed in the collection of G. W. L. Schofield, Esq., of New Hall, Hey, Rawtenstall, near Manchester, producing four flower-spikes. It is a beautiful object, its spikes of richly-coloured rosy pink blossoms hanging gracefully from the plant. It is very distinct from any other species of _Aërides_, and will doubtless become a great favourite. One of its great recommendations is that it blooms in the winter, which is not the case with the generality of these plants, their usual flowering season being during the spring and summer months. _A. Leeanum_ is a small growing plant, but produces its spikes of blossoms very freely; and requiring, as it does, but a limited space for its accommodation, it will be a most useful introduction for amateur cultivators.—B. S. W.

DENDROBIUM BIGIBBUM. [Plate 38.] Native of Tropical North-east Australia.

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ long, slender, erect, fusiform, one to two feet in length, closely invested between the nodes with dry light brown sheaths, the older ones swollen at the very base. _Leaves_ oblong-lanceolate, sub-acuminate, five ribbed, of a deep green colour, and a somewhat coriaceous texture, a few only (five or six) being developed towards the extremities of the stems. _Racemes_ erect or curving, six to twelve flowered, nearly a foot in length, usually produced from the upper nodes of the old leafless stems, but sometimes from the apex of the younger leafy stems. _Flowers_ large, showy, rich rosy purple; _sepals_ oblong acute, flat, of a rich purplish magenta, the lateral ones united at the base into a short blunt spur below the setting on of the lip, above which spur is a gibbosity, occasioned by a similar swelling at the base of the lip (whence comes the specific name _bigibbum_); _petals_ large, roundish, spreading, recurved, of the same colour as the sepals; _lip_ three-lobed, the lateral lobes incurved, the retuse middle lobe somewhat reflexed, rich crimson-purple veined with darker purple, the base decurrent and gibbose, and the disk with three white papillose crests. _Columns_ compressed, grooved, the back united with the sepal.

Dendrobium bigibbum, _Lindley_, in _Paxton’s Flower Garden_, iii, 25, fig. 245; _Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 4898; _Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ_, vi., 302; _Warner_, _Select Orchidaceous Plants_, 2 ser. t. 8; _Van Houtte_, _Flore des Serres_, xi., t. 1143; _Bateman_, _Second Century of Orchidaceous Plants_, t. 169; _Williams_, _Orchid Growers’ Manual_, 5 ed., 165.

This plant belongs to one of the most noble and popular, one of the most showy and beautiful genera of the whole family of Orchids, and one among the flowers of which nearly every colour occurs—bright yellow, pure white, rich crimson, bright purple, soft mauve, rich orange, nankeen, and many others being found among the many and various habited species of Dendrobes.

_Dendrobium bigibbum_, the subject of our plate, is a species of a remarkably beautiful and showy character, which, until within the last few years, has been somewhat rare. In 1876, however, we received a large consignment from our collector, Mr. Goldie, who was then on his way to New Guinea, and who met with it growing on an island in Torres Straits, it having hitherto, we believe, been found only on the mainland of Australia. These plants were very fine, some of the specimens being of enormous dimensions, with stems quite two feet long, and from one and a-half to two inches in circumference. The specimens from which our figure of one of the most charming forms of this species which we have yet seen, was prepared, were kindly sent to us from the fine collection of the Marquess of Lothian, at Newbattle Abbey. Dalkeith, where it bloomed in September last in full beauty, amongst many other notable Orchids which are well cultivated by the intelligent gardener, Mr. Priest, who takes great delight in the careful management of his plants.

This species of _Dendrobium_ is partially deciduous, the fully ripened stems sometimes losing the whole of their foliage, while the young growths retain their leaves until the following year. It grows from one to two feet in height, and produces its racemes of flowers sometimes from the top of the young growths, and sometimes from the old stems, in the latter case often bearing many spikes on the same stem. The flowers are of a rich rosy purple, and last in perfection for a considerable period. It is a most useful subject for associating with a button-hole bouquet, single flowers being shown off to great advantage by placing a light-looking fern frond behind them. The racemes of flowers last a long time after being cut if placed in water, and are most useful in all floral decorations. By growing several plants, successional blooms may be had at different periods.

This Tropical Australian species is best grown in a warm house, as the plants require a good amount of heat—70° to 80° while growing—and plenty of light, but the burning rays of the sun must be kept from them. They thrive best when planted in pans or baskets amongst rough fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, and suspended from the roof of the Orchid house. During the summer season they require a liberal supply of water, but in winter should have only sufficient to keep the stems plump. The plant will also succeed on blocks of wood, but, if grown in this way, it will in hot weather need watering twice a day, and once a day at other times. Some cultivators have been unsuccessful with this species, but we have found it to thrive well in a house where Crotons, Dipladenias, Stephanotis, etc., are grown; the Dendrobes seem to enjoy the moisture transmitted to them by the stove plants which are generally syringed in warm weather, and the dew arising from this operation appears to suit the Orchid. The syringe is also useful in subduing the red spider, which will sometimes attack the young growth. Insects often infest those kinds of _Dendrobium_ that are grown in strong heat, but they must by this and other means be kept under.

Such treatment suits almost all the popular Dendrobes, namely, _D. Devonianum_, _D. Wardianum superbum_, _D. chrysanthum_, _D. superbum (macrophyllum)_, _D. crassinode_, etc.; and the plants are found to be much stronger by reason of hanging near the glass well exposed to light, in which position they can be syringed on warm days—this moistening not only invigorating their growth, but being also a means of keeping insects under control.

PHALÆNOPSIS STUARTIANA NOBILIS. [Plate 39.] Native of the East.

Epiphytal. Acaulescent, the plants clinging to their supports by stout flattened roots. _Leaves_ coriaceous, distichous, ligulate-oblong, acute, channelled, equitant at the base, the upper surface marbled with transverse grey blotches which disappear with age, the under surface purplish red, similar in size to those of _Phalænopsis Schilleriana_. _Scape_ radical, bearing a many-flowered (120 or more) branching panicle of very handsomely and peculiarly spotted blossoms. _Flowers_ nearly three inches across, expanded, cream-coloured at first, becoming white; _sepals_ oblong, or ovate-oblong, about an inch in length, the dorsal one white, the lateral ones white along the upper side, the lower side being yellow thickly spotted with cinnamon-red; _petals_ much broader, narrowed near the base, white; _lip_ three-lobed, with a four-horned yellow callosity at its base, the lateral lobes oblong, rounded, the middle lobe oval, with an anchor-like extremity, the apex terminating in a pair of narrow recurved laciniæ, all the lobes yellow at the base, white upwards and handsomely spotted with rich cinnamon-red. _Column_ clavate, white.

Phalænopsis Stuartiana, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, N.S. xvi., 748, 753, fig. 149; Moore, _Florist and Pomologist_, 1882, 49, t. 559.

_Var._ NOBILIS; flowers larger in all their parts, marked with fewer and larger spots; front lobe of the lip rhombic.

Phalænopsis Stuartiana _var._ NOBILIS, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, N.S. xvi., 748.