Part 11

There can be no doubt that the species of _Phalænopsis_ rank amongst our finest Orchids, on account of the purity and soft tinting of their blossoms and the profusion in which they are produced. Unfortunately, at present, we only possess a limited number of them. During the last few years, indeed, many new kinds, which are giving a fresh interest to the genus, have been introduced by our collectors; and, although it is barely possible that any new introduction should surpass the old species, yet it is gratifying to know that there are yet to be found distinct and novel kinds of great beauty. _P. Stuartiana_, which we now bring under the notice of our readers, is a very fine and well-marked species, recently imported from the East by Messrs. Low & Co., of Upper Clapton, and named by Professor Reichenbach in honour of Mr. Stuart Low, who is one of the largest importers of this class of Orchids. Our plate, which represents the variety called _P. Stuartiana nobilis_, was sketched from a plant now in the fine collection of William Lee, Esq., of Downside, Leatherhead, who purchased it when in full beauty from the Messrs. Low, and we have to thank Mr. Lee for his kindness in allowing the drawing to be made. It is to be hoped that collectors may find more of it in its native country, although we believe it to be very rare, and, like many other recent discoveries to be probably a natural hybrid produced by insect fertilisation. We have no doubt that there are yet many fine forms of _Phalænopsis_; and if we could but obtain the scarlet one, which some years ago was reported to have been seen by a collector who was not able to bring it home, what a grand acquisition that would be!

_Phalænopsis Stuartiana nobilis_ resembles _P. Schilleriana_ in the young growth, its newly developed leaves being of the same shape and colour and similarly spotted, but the older leaves assume more of the character of _P. amabilis_; while the flowers, instead of being mauve-coloured, are pure white, with the inferior halves of the lateral sepals yellow and boldly spotted with cinnamon-red, as also is a portion of the lip, the side lobes of which bear smaller and more closely set spots. We have little doubt that this plant is a wild hybrid between _P. Schilleriana_ and _P. amabilis_, as though the young leaves come spotted, they afterwards change to the colour of those of _P. amabilis_, as already described.

This plant requires the same treatment as _P. Schilleriana_, and is best grown among sphagnum moss in baskets suspended from the roof, care being taken to give it a good supply of water during the growing season. It should have the heat of the East India house, and should at all times be kept moist at the roots, for if allowed to become dry, it will loose its lower leaves. If the plants are in a healthy and free-growing condition, flowering does not injure them; but, if at all sickly, they should not be allowed to blossom until they regain strength and vigour, as they are naturally free-flowering plants, and under such circumstances might bloom themselves to death. The moss about their roots must be sweet and in a living state; when it becomes decayed it should be removed, the roots washed, and the plant replaced in clean live moss with fresh free drainage, so that the water, of which a considerable quantity is required, may never become stagnant. Shading is an important element in the successful cultivation of these plants; therefore the sun, when at its full power in summer, must never be allowed to shine upon them, but in winter a little sun-heat is beneficial, and they then require all the light which it is possible to give them. Neither drip, nor water in any other form, must be suffered to reach the hearts of the plants, as it causes them to rot.

Insects are troublesome at times. The thrips, if allowed to multiply, will greatly disfigure the plants, causing damage by depriving them of the juices which should go to sustain their vigour. When free from such pests, and in a healthy condition, the leaves of the Phalænopsids have a pleasing appearance; and, if they are well looked after, it will not be difficult to keep them clean, the more especially as being of large size, they can be readily operated upon.

ODONTOGLOSSUM KRAMERI. [Plate 40.] Native of Costa Rica.

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ nearly orbicular, much compressed, ancipitous or sharply two-edged, one and a-half inch in diameter, pale green. _Leaves_ solitary, oblong-lanceolate, acute, keeled, six to eight inches long, one and a-half to two inches broad, light green, with a smooth even surface. _Scapes_ radical, four to six inches long, shorter than the leaves, three to five flowered, drooping or ascending, flexuous, pale green, with small appressed bracts and longish peduncles. _Flowers_ one and a-half inch or more across, and delicately coloured; _sepals_ oblong acute, rosy lilac with a white margin; _petals_ about equalling the sepals in size, and similar to them in form and colour; _lip_ with a short stout neck, deeply hollowed in front, with two erect calli, the lateral lobes semi-ovate, narrow, deflexed, the much larger middle lobe three-fourths of an inch broad, roundish reniform, emarginate, bearing at the base a pair of erect lamellæ, the unguis or neck yellow spotted with red, the front lobe deep rosy lilac, marked near its base with two semi-circular bands of white and purplish rose. _Column_ short, thick, white in front.

Odontoglossum Krameri, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, 1868, 98, with woodcut; _Hooker fil._, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 5778; _Bateman_, _Monograph of Odontoglossum_, t. 24; _Williams_, _Orchid Growers’ Manual_, 5 ed., 236; _Floral Magazine_, t. 406 (as O. Kremeri.)

This is a most charming small-growing Orchid, with remarkably pretty delicately coloured flowers. It is at the present time very rare in collections, and, in fact, had become almost lost to cultivation, but fortunately during the last year a small number of plants was imported into this country and distributed. Our drawing was made from a plant which formed part of this importation, and which produced its chastely coloured blossoms in the Victoria Nursery. Many years ago we remember to have seen a fine lot imported by the late George Ure Skinner, Esq., but since then it has until last year disappeared from our notice. We are, however, glad to see it again making its appearance in our Orchid-houses; for, as will be seen by reference to our illustration, it is a plant of a most distinct and pleasing character, and will be a real acquisition to the group of Odontoglots, of which numerous highly popular species are at present in cultivation.

_Odontoglossum Krameri_ is a plant of compact-growing habit, with small flattened light green pseudobulbs, each producing from the top a solitary leaf of a pale green colour. The plant generally attains about ten inches in height. The flower spikes or peduncles are freely produced from the base of the pseudobulbs after they have completed their growth, several flowers being produced on each peduncle. The sepals and petals are of a rosy lilac colour, margined with white; the lip is also rosy lilac, but of a darker shade, flushed with yellow and marked and spotted with purple at the neck, and having two semi-circular bands of dark purplish rose and white near the base. The plants continue in bloom for several weeks.

We have found this species to thrive well in the Cattleya house, planted in small pans or pots with good peat and sphagnum moss. It might possibly do in a cooler structure, but we have as yet only cultivated it in the Cattleya house, and this treatment has been found to suit it. It requires to be kept moist during the growing season, but when at rest should have only just sufficient water to keep it in a plump condition. The plant possesses one great advantage—that of blooming during the autumn months, when such flowers are so much in request. It has also another good quality—that of occupying but a small space, so that any cultivator who has a spare niche in his Orchid house can grow it without any inconvenience.

Cattleya Trianæ.—R. B. Dodgson, Esq., of Blackburn, has kindly sent us a wonderfully fine series of flowers of the different varieties of _C. Trianæ_, including some of the grandest that have yet come under our notice. Of two or three of these our Artist is preparing plates, which will be issued in due course in the _Orchid Album_. The variety named _C. Trianæ Dodgsoni_ bears most beautiful flowers, which are quite distinct from all that we have previously seen, the sepals and petals being large, and of a pure white, while the lip is of a rich magenta colour, with the throat rich orange, white in the upper part. _C. Trianæ Osmani_ is also a very fine variety, the flowers being rich in colour, the sepals and petals rosy pink, and the lip large, of a bright magenta colour; it is in fact altogether a wonderfully fine flower. There were several other varieties sent, including one which we have selected as the original _C. Trianæ_; this we shall first bring under the notice of our readers, and the other two will follow.—B. S. W.

Mr. Dorman’s Orchids.—When visiting this grand collection last month (March) we noticed the rare _Epidendrum Wallisii_ in flower. Mr. Coningsby, the gardener, informed us that the flowers on this plant had been open since November, and they still looked fresh. _Lælia flava_ was also good. _Galeandra Devoniana_, a plant one seldom sees in bloom, was quite at home here, flowering and growing luxuriantly. _Lycaste Skinneri alba_, with its pure white flowers looked very charming; this was an extra fine variety, with flowers as large as any we remember to have seen. In addition to these there were many fine things in flower, which space will not permit us to mention. Mr. Dorman’s Orchids are looking remarkably well, and are well cared for, both employer and gardener being enthusiastically fond of them.—H. W.

ANGRÆCUM EBURNEUM. [Plate 41.] Native of Madagascar and Bourbon.

Epiphytal. _Stem_ erect, leafy, producing roots from the lower part and from between the bases of the lower leaves. _Leaves_ distichous, ligulate, very oblique at the apex, coriaceous, of a shining green colour, striated, about two inches broad, carinate below and overlapping each other at the base. _Peduncles_ axillary, furnished with dark sheathing scales, and bearing an erect spike of numerous large flowers of peculiar form and appearance, all pointing in one direction and placed alternately back to back in a distichous or two-ranked manner. _Flowers_ of a thick fleshy texture, green, with a broad conspicuous white lip; _sepals_ and _petals_ lanceolate, pale green, the dorsal sepal and the petals reflexed, the lateral sepals patent; _lip_ large, broadly cordate, cuspidate, ivory white, the centre concave, and bearing a cleft acuminated ridge; _spur_ tapering, considerably longer than and parallel with the dorsal sepal, dark green. _Column_ short, thick, greenish white.

Angræcum eburneum, _Du Petit-Thouars_, _Orchidées des Iles Australes d’Afrique_, t. 65; _Lindley_, _Botanical Register_, t. 1522; _Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 4761; _Paxton’s Magazine of Botany_, xvi., 90, with woodcut; _Bateman_, _2nd Century of Orchidaceous Plants_, t. 111; _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, 1873, 216, fig. 46; _Williams_, _Orchid Grower’s Manual_, 5 ed., 88, with woodcut.

Angræcum superbum, _Du Petit-Thouars_, _Orchidées_, tt. 62-4.

Limodorum eburneum, _Bory_, _Voyage_, i., 359; t. 19.

A grand Orchid which was first introduced to this country from Madagascar by the Horticultural Society of London, through their collector, Mr. Forbes, in the third decade of the present century, that is, more than fifty years since. It is, without doubt, one of the finest of the species, and when well grown forms a noble plant, its long spikes of attractive flowers, in company with its bold and characteristic foliage and its majestic habit of growth, imparting to it an aspect of dignity which no one can fail to recognise. Indeed, the magnificent appearance it has when placed on the central stage of the East India house is quite sufficient to win for it the favour of Orchid fanciers.

Wherever space can be given to it, it should always be grown, as it blooms during the winter months and continues in perfection for many weeks longer than any other of its family that has come under our notice. Our drawing was taken from a very fine specimen, producing three well developed spikes, in the collection of D. B. Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks, Kent, who is a great lover of Orchids, and is forming a nice collection of them.

_Angræcum eburneum_ is, as we have before noted, from Madagascar, and consequently requires the heat of the East India house. It is of comparatively easy cultivation. The strap-shaped leaves grow to about eighteen inches in length, and are of a pleasant glossy, light green colour; the flower spikes are produced from the leaf axils on each side of the stem, and extend to the length of eighteen inches, bearing many flowers of which the broad cordate lip is of a conspicuous ivory white. The plants will sometimes produce as many as four spikes at one time. The blooming period is in December, January, and February.

There is in cultivation another variety of _Angræcum eburneum_, called _virens_, but is not nearly so handsome and effective a plant as the type, its flowers being of a greenish white, but the spike has a somewhat more graceful contour, and the foliage is of a dark green colour, so that it also is worth cultivating where room can be found for its accommodation.

The Angræcums form a very interesting genus in the great Orchid family; and although amongst those that have bloomed in this country there are not many that we consider to be worth growing as ornamental plants, yet some, on the other hand, are very beautiful, and these we hope to be able to figure in due course. There have been several new introductions of late, and no doubt there are many yet to be acquired. We are glad to notice that Sir Trevor Lawrence is getting up a collection of all the best kinds, but it is found that some of them are difficult to obtain, and they are none of them so readily imported alive as many other Orchids are. They are mostly found growing on trees in their native country, different species being met with on the same trees. It was very interesting to hear the late Rev. W. Ellis talk of these plants, of which many years ago he brought home living specimens of some of the most beautiful of the species, such as _Angræcum sesquipedale_, _A. Ellisii_, and others.

_Angræcum eburneum_ is best cultivated in a pot as it is a large growing plant, and produces thick fleshy roots. We find sphagnum moss to suit it well, but it must have good drainage as it requires a liberal supply of water during the summer months, for if it be allowed to shrivel the bottom leaves wither and decay; in the winter, on the other hand, it should have merely sufficient to keep the moss damp and the plant in a plump condition. It requires the same general treatment as the large growing Vandas, such as _Vanda suavis_, _V. tricolor_, and others. The plants are not subject to the attacks of insects, their thick fleshy leaves appearing to have no attraction for these pests.

Cattleya Trianæ.—We have received from E. Wright, Esq., Gravelly Hill, Birmingham, a very fine form of this splendid _Cattleya_; the flowers were six inches in diameter, the sepals and petals broad and of a rosy pink colour, the lip of a rich magenta and beautifully fringed, having the throat bright orange colour and the upper part rose-pink. It is altogether a desirable and charming flower. The varieties of this species are very useful, as they bloom in winter, when there are but few other Cattleyas in flower.—B. S. W.

DENDROBIUM SUPERBUM [MACROPHYLLUM]. [Plate 42.] Native of the Philippine Islands.

Epiphytal. _Stems_ (pseudobulbs) stout, cylindrical, striated, the nodes of the flowering ones marked by the persistent scarious sheathing bases of the fallen leaves, drooping, and often attaining considerable length. _Leaves_ alternate elliptic-oblong, acute or obtuse, subcordate at the base, nervose, thin in texture, two-ribbed. _Flowers_ very numerous, usually in pairs from the joints of the stems, which form long floral wreaths; _sepals_ lanceolate, plane, the lateral ones produced at the base, of a deep rich purplish magenta, varying in intensity in different forms; _petals_ broadly oblong-ovate, somewhat undulated, of the same colour as the sepals; _lip_ pubescent, cordate-ovate, acuminate, convolute at the base, so that with the extended front lobe it assumes something of the shape of an oblique-mouthed funnel, the margin denticulate, the basal portion of an intense sanguineous purple, appearing like two deep blotches; the front lobe purplish magenta, marked with longitudinal ribs, connected with finer transverse veins of a deeper purple, and having a transverse three-lobed callosity. _Column_ short, included.

Dendrobium superbum, _Reichenbach fil._ _MSS._; _Id._, _Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ_, vi., 282; _Williams_, _Orchid Grower’s Manual_, 5 ed., 180.

Dendrobium macrophyllum, _Lindley_, _Botanical Register_, 1839, misc. 46; 1844, misc. 62; _Id._ _Sertum Orchidaceum_, t. 35; _Pescatorea_, t. 40; _Paxton’s Magazine of Botany_, viii., 97.

Dendrobium macranthum, _Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 3970; _Planchon_ in _Flore des Serres_, viii, t. 757.

This is a magnificent Orchid, especially in the case of its finer varieties, whether superior on the score of size or colouration. It was first bloomed by the Messrs. Loddiges in 1839, in their wonderful plant emporium at Hackney, having been introduced by them from the Philippine Islands. A grand variety called _giganteum_, having flowers of immense size, is figured in Mr. R. Warner’s _Select Orchidaceous Plants_ (1 ser., t. 26); and in respect to colour, the form of which we now give an illustration, is one of the richest and most effective we have yet seen. The materials from which our figure was prepared were obligingly sent to us by Mr. C. Penny, gardener to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, at Sandringham. It will be at once seen that the specimen in question was a well-grown example, and we understand that the plant yielded two similarly well furnished wreaths, bearing as many as forty blossoms. Besides this there are many other Orchids of superior merit to be seen in the collection at Sandringham gardens, these plants, the magnates of the vegetable world, being highly appreciated both by the Prince and the Princess of Wales.

The Dendrobiums are among the most beautiful and charming of our Indian Orchids, many of the species being of a most graceful habit of growth, and by their brightly coloured flowers imparting a remarkably picturesque character to our Orchid houses. Some of them, moreover, have delicately fragrant blossoms. In very many cases they bloom most profusely, and with their long pendent stems look well suspended from the roof of the house. Our present subject belongs to this latter class, and is one of the most showy and beautiful of the species.

_Dendrobium superbum_, which is more commonly known in gardens as _Dendrobium macrophyllum_, is a deciduous plant, losing its foliage just as it begins to blossom. It is a noble object when growing, producing stems from two to three feet long, furnished along each side with flowers growing in pairs; these flowers are four inches across, with sepals and petals of a lively magenta-rose, and a lip similar in colour, but with a purplish crimson throat. It blooms during February and March, the individual blossoms lasting about a fortnight in beauty. It thrives best when grown in a basket, and suspended from the roof. If hung up when in blossom, amongst the foliage of the other plants, the flowers are shown off to greater advantage, as it naturally blooms without foliage. It grows well in the East India Orchid house, and requires a good amount of heat and moisture during its growing season. After growth is completed it will do well in the Cattleya house during the dormant period, and when it begins to show its flower buds a little water may be given to induce the buds to swell and develop fine flowers. When the flowering season is over it may, if required, be placed in fresh sphagnum moss. It is a free growing plant, and thrives best suspended near the glass in the full light, but shaded from the burning sun. It is, indeed, absolutely necessary to give it all the light possible; and, in summer, a slight syringing when the house is closed will tend to keep the red spider and thrips in check.

Dendrobium Hillii.—There is in the collection of R. Wyatt, Esq., Lake House, Cheltenham, a very fine specimen of this cool Orchid, which has been bearing numerous spikes of blossom, some of the spikes being as much as twenty inches in length. The specimen was a most beautiful object, with its long racemes of creamy white blossoms, which proceed from the apices of its thick fleshy pseudobulbs; it has, moreover, dark green foliage. This plant was growing in the conservatory, and had continued in bloom for about two months, so that it is a most useful subject for winter decoration. It is a very old Orchid, but is worth cultivating, especially as it will grow in a conservatory or in any cool house. There was also in the same collection a very fine variety of _Cypripedium villosum_, one of the best we have seen, the flowers being wonderfully bright in colour, and of large size. Of _Lycaste Skinneri_ there was a well-grown plant, with very fine flowers, the sepals and petals being broad and pure white, and the front portion of the lip bright magenta, with the throat white.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ FLAVEOLUM. [Plate 43.] Native of New Grenada.

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ ovate, compressed, one or two leaved. _Leaves_ elongate, oblong-lanceolate, acute, of a bright green colour. _Scape_ radical, supporting a many-flowered raceme (or panicle) of showy flowers, each subtended by a small ovate-oblong acute bract. _Flowers_ large, differing from other known forms of the species by their yellow colour, about three inches across; _sepals_ ovate-lanceolate, acute, slightly wavy at the edges, pale sulphur-yellow; _petals_ ovate, much undulated at the margins and irregularly toothed, of the same pale yellow as the sepals; _lip_ oblong, the apex truncately rounded and cuspidate, the margins undulated and fimbriated, and the basal angles rounded and produced, all of a bright yellow colour, marked near the centre with about three conspicuous round reddish brown spots, and at the base with fine radiating lines of the same colour, in front of which are two divergent bars or crests. _Column_ arcuate, club-shaped, pale yellow behind, dull brown on the inner face, and furnished with the usual toothed wings at the edge.

Odontoglossum Alexandræ flaveolum, _supra_.

Odontoglossum crispum flaveolum, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, N.S. xiii., 41, 232.