Part 4

There is at Downside a grand collection of _Phalænopsids_, which are especially well managed by Mr. Woolford, the gardener. They are great favourites with Mr. Lee, and he has built a house to meet their special wants. This is undoubtedly a good plan to adopt where there is such a fine and comprehensive set of plants as are to be found in this establishment, since they require different treatment to most other Orchids. They have thick fleshy leaves, and the stems of the plant are also fleshy, while, unlike many Orchids, they have no thick pseudobulbs from which to derive support; hence it follows that they require more moisture than many others. We do not, however, agree with giving them so much as we often see supplied. One great advantage of having a separate house for them is that their individual treatment and wants can be more carefully studied and more exactly met.

We have seen _Phalænopsids_ grown well amongst other East Indian Orchids. For instance, we exhibited a plant so grown of _Phalænopsis grandiflora_ for ten successive years at the Chiswick and Regent’s Park Exhibitions, and at several shows during each year, and it generally bore from sixty to seventy blossoms. This was the variety imported from Java, which we consider the best, as it produces more flowers than the variety from Borneo. We see that growers now-a-days are obliged to put several plants together in order to make a specimen fit for exhibition. There were others who about that time also exhibited these large plants, and, amongst them Mr. Kinghorn showed at Chiswick a wonderful specimen, bearing the best flower-spike we have ever seen.

_Phalænopsis amabilis Dayana_ requires the same treatment as _P. grandiflora_ and _P. amabilis_, and will do either in a pot, basket, or pan, suspended from the roof. It will also thrive on the side stages, but in this case requires to be elevated so that the roots can hang free, for they are abundant rooting plants. If suspended from the roof the plants have more room to throw out their thick fleshy roots, and in this way they approach nearer to the manner in which they grow in their native habitats, for they are found on the branches and stems of trees, where they obtain a free circulation of air. When thus suspended they get without restraint the fresh air that circulates through the house. They can also be cultivated on blocks, but under these circumstances they will require to be more freely supplied with moisture. These are plants that like plenty of light, but they must be shielded from the sun by shading. The best material to grow them in is sphagnum moss, with good drainage, and they require to be kept moist all the year round. In warm weather they of course require more than in winter, when just a sufficient quantity to keep the moss in a moist condition will be all that they will need. It is imperative never to allow water to reach the heart of the plant, for that will sometimes induce it to rot, and will often cause the leaves to go spotted.

The plants must, of necessity, be kept free from insects. Sometimes the thrips will attack them, but this should be cleaned off. To be thoroughly successful with Orchids they require constant watching. Cockroaches are a great pest to all those that throw out thick fleshy roots, which they injure by gnawing them off, thereby weakening the constitution of the plant. J. S. Bockett, Esq., of Stamford Hill, has one of the finest grown collections of _Phalænopsis_ we have ever seen, but this, of course, has been in process of formation for years, and the plants have become large established specimens.

ONCIDIUM GARDNERI. [Plate 12.] Native of the Organ Mountains of Brazil.

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ oblong-ovate, furrowed, about two inches in height, dark green, purplish beneath. _Leaves_ oblong-lanceolate, acute, coriaceous, about six inches long, growing two together from the apex of the pseudobulbs. _Scape_ one and a half foot high, including the panicle of handsome flowers, lateral, that is, springing from the base of the pseudobulbs. _Flowers_ showy, of medium size, deliciously fragrant; _sepals_ oblong, acute, the lateral ones semi-connate; _petals_ twice as large as the sepals, roundish in outline, clawed at the base, the edges undulated, and as well as the bars across the sepals of a light chestnut or bronzy brown colour with a narrow margin of pale yellow; _lip_ large, three-lobed, the middle lobe large, transversely emarginate, bright yellow, with a belt of confluent parallel oblong chestnut brown blotches just within the margin, the lateral lobes auriculæform, obsolete, yellow; the crests of the lip consist of two pairs of tubercles with the intermediate space warted. _Column_ furnished with dwarf roundish wings.

Oncidium Gardneri, _Lindley_, _London Journal of Botany_, ii., 662; _Id._ _Folia Orchidacea_, art. _Oncidium_, 19; _Reichenbach fil._, in _Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ_, vi. 728.

This charming Orchid is very nearly related to _Oncidium curtum_, _O. prætextum_, and _O. amictum_. It belongs to an extensive genus of Vandeous Orchids, many of the species of which are exceedingly beautiful on account of the brilliancy of their flowers, which are mostly of a bright yellow colour, often prettily spotted, and generally produced in graceful spikes or panicles. No collection should be without some of the best and most ornamental of them. The figure which we now publish represents a very charming Brazilian species, one of the best forms of the plant we have seen. Our drawing was made from a specimen in the select and varied collection of W. Vanner, Esq., of Chislehurst, who was kind enough to permit our artist to avail himself of it. This collection occupies several houses which are respectively filled with species belonging to the different groups or classes, and among which are some very rare specimens, all well cultivated by Mr. Milford, the gardener, who, for many years has been a successful grower of Orchids.

_Oncidium Gardneri_ is a compact growing plant, furnished with dark green pseudobulbs, which are from two to three inches in height. The foliage is also dark green in colour, and about six inches in length. The flowers are very freely produced in branching spikes or panicles, and are generally developed in June and July, lasting for several weeks in perfection. The sepals and petals are brown, narrowly margined with pale yellow. The lip is large, of a bright golden-yellow colour, margined with bright brown oblong parallel blotches. The flowers, moreover, are deliciously scented. There are many varieties of this plant, all of which are worth growing, since they take up but little space, and when grown in quantity, produce a good effect. We saw about fifty spikes of the different varieties, some in bloom, and others showing, in the collection of C. G. Hill, Esq., of Arnot Hill, near Nottingham, and we shall not soon forget the effect produced, as the group of plants appeared to be one mass of bloom. By cultivating plants of this character space may be economised, since they grow as freely on blocks as in baskets. We also find them to thrive well in small pans suspended from the roof of the Cattleya-house or in any situation affording them the same temperature, with very slight shading from the sun. They are best grown near the glass, so that they may get all the light possible. As a root medium, a mixture of good sphagnum moss and fibrous peat suits them best, but the plants must have good drainage, since they must be kept moist during the growing season, though when at rest a more limited supply will suffice—just sufficient being given to keep the bulbs plump, for on the other hand, it is not a plant that likes to be dried up. The bulbs sometimes shrivel when they flower too freely; if this is observed do not allow the blossoms to remain too long on the plants, as they will keep a good time in water when cut from the plant. Being of a graceful character they are well adapted for the decoration of drawing-room stands, in which, if intermixed with foliage and other flowers, they help to produce a very charming effect. Indeed no flowers are so useful as Orchids for decorative purposes, as they last so long when cut.

Lælia Dominiana rosea.—This is the finest hybrid _Lælia_ that has come under our notice. It is the result of a cross between _Cattleya Dowiana_, and _C. exoniensis_, and the parentage is very evident in the novel form thus obtained. The lip is like that of _C. Dowiana_, of a rich purple-crimson, crisped at the margin; the sepals and petals are of a pale lilac colour. It is a most beautiful _Lælia_, and is named in honour of Mr. Dominy, who has been most successful in raising seedling Orchids. There have been many wonderful hybrids brought out by the Messrs. Veitch and Sons, through the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Dominy, who has long been known as one of the oldest and most successful of Orchid growers, and whose name will be kept in remembrance as long as Orchids are cultivated.—B. S. W.

DENDROBIUM SUAVISSIMUM. [Plate 13.] Native of Burmah.

Epiphytal. _Stems_ (or pseudobulbs) about a foot long, cuneately-fusiform, tapering below into a longish stalk-like base, bluntly angulate, bearing one or two pairs of leaves at the top, and invested below with close ovate membranaceous bracts. _Leaves_ somewhat coriaceous, oblong-ligulate, cuneate at the base and acute at the apex. _Flower-spikes_ ten to twelve inches long, bracteate at the base, terminal or nearly terminal, produced freely on the two-year-old stems. _Flowers_ large, showy, numerous, of a brilliant yellow; _sepals_ ligulate acute, bright golden yellow; _petals_ broader, cuneately-oblong, obtusely-acute, of the same colour as the sepals; _lip_ (labellum) deep bright yellow, marked on the disk with a broad curved band of rich dark sanguineous purple, almost black, cucullate, cuneate-oblong at the base, where it is folded over the column, roundish and emarginate in front, undulate and ciliolate at the margin, densely asperulous with erect acute papillæ forming a close crispy covering over the surface.

Dendrobium suavissimum, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, N.S., i. 406; v. 756.

This fine Dendrobe, of which Reichenbach remarks:—“I believe it is one of the best _Dendrobia_ ever imported,” was introduced in 1873 by Mr. Low, of Clapton, as recorded in the _Gardeners’ Chronicle_ for 1874 (N.S., i. 406), where it was first described. It is again referred to in the same publication in 1876 (N.S., v. 756), where the German Professor remarks:—“The species stands indeed, as has been stated before, close to _Dendrobium chrysotoxum_. The flowers are smaller, the fringe is made by much shorter papillæ, the chin is shorter, the petals are narrower, the lip does not expand to an open mass, but its lateral parts keep bent over the base, thus forming a cucullate body so as to allow the beautiful dark blackish spot to be seen, and which contrasts so well with the deep yellow of the flower. There are also a few blackish streaks on each side of the base of the lip.”

_Dendrobium suavissimum_ is one of the most beautiful species of the yellow-flowered section of this vast genus, and one that is much admired and sought after by Orchid growers. The accompanying plate is a good representation of the plant, and from this it will be seen that it is one of the most attractive of summer-flowering Orchids. Our sketch was taken from a specimen exhibited by us during the present year, at the Royal Botanic Society’s Garden in the Regent’s Park.

Formerly this was a very rare plant, but within the last few years it has been sent home in considerable quantities by collectors, and it has in consequence become comparatively cheap. In growth it resembles _Dendrobium chrysotoxum_, but the flowers are much more showy; in _D. chrysotoxum_ they are wholly yellow, whereas in this species there is a large sanguineous purple blotch on the lip, forming a striking contrast to the rich golden yellow of the sepals and petals; in addition to this they are sweet-scented. The plant is of free-flowering habit, and when well-grown produces finely-developed flower-spikes. We have seen as many as three spikes proceeding from a single stem.

In habit of growth _Dendrobium suavissimum_ is very compact. The stems or pseudobulbs are about a foot in height, and furnished with one or two pairs of dark green leaves at the apex. The flower-spikes proceed from the tops of the two-year-old bulbs, and average from ten to twelve inches in length. The stems will sometimes produce spikes for several years in succession. The flowers last from two to three weeks in perfection if kept from damp.

Like other Dendrobiums, this species is found growing on the trunks and branches of trees in positions where it gets plenty of light and air. With us it thrives well grown in a basket suspended near the roof, so as to obtain all the light and air possible; the bulbs thus become well matured. The best material for growing it in is sound sweet fibrous peat, with a good supply of drainage. The plants should be watered liberally at the roots during the period of growth, which is after they have done blooming. The temperature that suits them best is that of the East India-house while they are making their growth; but when the growth is completed very little water should be given them until they begin to show their spikes in spring, when it may be increased, as it will assist them to produce stronger spikes. The plant is propagated by division; two or more old bulbs should be taken off with a young growth in front. Insects should be well looked after, and when found be speedily removed.

TRICHOPILIA SUAVIS ALBA. [Plate 14.] Native of Central America.

Epiphytal, _Pseudobulbs_ roundish-oblong or obcordate, thin, _i.e._, very much compressed, clustered, monophyllous. _Leaves_ broadly oblong, acute, leathery in texture, almost sessile, of a pale green colour. _Scapes_ radical, two to four-flowered, pendent. _Flowers_ large, showy, and fragrant, each emerging from the axil of a thin ovate bract. _Sepals_ linear-lanceolate, acute, somewhat undulated, spreading, and, as well as the similarly-formed _petals_, of a pure white colour; _lip_ large, rolled up closely at the base, suddenly expanded upwards so as to become funnel-shaped, and then spread out into a large oblique limb, which is three-lobed, with the edges wavy and crisped, the middle lobe larger, slightly deflexed and emarginate or bilobed: _Column_ elongate, terete, bearing at the back of the anther a hood of three fimbriated lobes.

Trichopilia suavis, _Lindley_, in _Paxton’s Flower Garden_, i. 44; 53, t. 11; _Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 4654; _Van Houtte_, _Flore des Serres_, viii. 761; _Lemaire_, _Jardin Fleuriste_, iii. 277; _Reichenbach fil._, in _Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ_, iii. 553, et vi. 681.

_Var._ ALBA: flowers pure white, the lip with a yellow blotch in the throat.

Trichopilia suavis alba, _Hort._

This plant belongs to a small genus of Vandeous Orchids, some of the species of which are exceedingly pretty, and well worthy of a place in every collection. Dr. Lindley calls _Trichopilia suavis_ “a delicious Orchid,” and says that “the flowers emit the most delicate odour of hawthorn.” The fragrant and richly spotted flowers make it a great favourite amongst growers, and no doubt it is one of the best and most showy of the species yet known. The variety _alba_, of which we have now the pleasure of publishing an authentic figure, the first which has appeared, is new to cultivation, and is also extremely rare. Our plate was prepared from a specimen which flowered in the fine collection of Dr. G. Boddaert, of Ghent, Belgium, who kindly allowed us to have a drawing made from it.

_Trichopilia suavis alba_ was imported, with the typical _T. suavis_, and is a compact evergreen plant, with foliage attaining from six to ten inches in height, and three inches in width, and of a light green colour. The pendent flower-scapes are produced from the base of the bulbs, and bear two or three, or sometimes four, flowers, which thus hang over the sides of the pan or basket in which the plant is cultivated. When suspended from the roof of the house they thus have a very charming appearance. The sepals and petals are pure white; the lip is white, with a pale yellow stain in the throat. The plant blossoms during May and June, and lasts about two weeks in perfection. We have flowered this variety during the present year, and it was very much admired by every one who saw it.

_Trichopilia suavis alba_ was exhibited by J. S. Bockett, Esq., of Stamford Hill, at one of the meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society, and was awarded a First Class Certificate of Merit.

The Cattleya house is the best position for the plant, but it should be placed at the coolest end. It will flourish either in a basket or pot, in a compost of fibrous peat, with good drainage, but it must be well elevated above the rim, so that the flowers may hang down according to their natural habit. Propagation is effected by division of the plant after blooming; two or three bulbs should be severed from the original plant, or more if a larger specimen is desired.

Aërides odoratum majus.—This fine old Orchid was shown by Mrs. Arbuthnot at the Chislehurst Exhibition, on the 16th of July, and in this case it was a most wonderful example of good cultivation. The plant was one mass of its beautiful racemes of flowers, about fifty in number, many of them measuring fifteen inches in length. The flowers are white, tipped with pink, and are produced in long graceful spikes which overhang the foliage and produce a most charming effect. The perfume given off by this variety is very delightful, and was in this case most refreshing to those who passed by, many of whom wondered where the pleasant odour came from, as it was shown among the stove and greenhouse plants. This plant was two and a half feet in diameter, and three feet in height. Great credit is due to Mr. Mitchell, the gardener, for his skill in cultivating so fine a specimen. We often wonder why this plant is not more popular at our exhibitions, especially as it is easy to grow, taking very few years to make a good specimen, and being purchasable in small sizes for a few shillings. When not in bloom, it is, moreover, an attractive plant.—B. S. W.

VANDA PARISHII. [Plate 15.] Native of Moulmein.

Epiphytal. _Plant_ evergreen, dwarf. _Stem_ a span high, stout-growing, densely leafy. _Leaves_ distichous, broadly ligulate-obtuse, with an unequal bilobed apex, very stout and fleshy in texture. _Scape_ stiff, erect, bearing a spike of several showy blossoms. _Flowers_ large, distinct in character, prettily spotted; _sepals_ and _petals_ cuneate-oblong, acute, somewhat undulated, of a greenish-yellow colour, decorated with numerous round reddish-brown spots, white inside at the base; _lip_ furnished with linear-ligulate auricles at the base, and produced into a short gibbous spur, white, with a pair of orange-coloured stripes, the larger anterior part violaceous, rhomboid, gibbous below the apex, with a keel along the median line, and a violet-coloured conical callus at the base. _Column_ white, the caudicle ligulate, the glandule triangular.

Vanda Parishii, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, 1870, 890.

This glorious thing, as Professor Reichenbach calls it, was first discovered by the Rev. C. Parish in 1862, and then lost sight of, but was rediscovered in 1870, from which discovery, we presume, the first plants were obtained by Mr. S. Low, of the Clapton Nursery; since then we have received living plants of it on several occasions, and the plant now figured was from one of these importations. It is a small and distinct growing _Vanda_, and is well worthy of a place in every collection on account of its compact habit of growth, which resembles that of a _Phalænopsis_. The Vandas are for the most part large growers, but, as will be seen from the accompanying figure, _Vanda Parishii_ is an exception to the general rule. Our plate was prepared from a plant which bloomed in the collection of the Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, M.P., of Birmingham—a gentleman who is making a grand collection of Orchids, and is a great admirer of them. The plant above referred to was a well-grown specimen, bearing a good spike of flowers.

The leaves are about eight inches in length by four inches in breadth, and of a lively green colour; and the flower-spike reaches from ten to twelve inches in length, the flowers being as large as those of _Vanda gigantea_ and _V. lissochiloides_. The sepals and petals are greenish-yellow, freely spotted with reddish-brown; the base of the lip, which is keeled, is white, the front lobe violet-mauve, faintly margined with white. Altogether it is a very distinct species, and is very strongly scented, with a peculiar odour; it lasts for several weeks in bloom.

_Vanda Parishii_ requires about the same treatment as other Vandas, and should be grown in the East India-house, in sphagnum moss, with plenty of drainage. It would appear never to attain more than about a foot in height, being unusually short and stout in growth. It is best grown in a basket or pot suspended from the roof, and should be well shaded from the sun. It revels in a good supply of water during the growing period, which extends over summer and autumn; but in winter only just sufficient water should be given to keep the moss damp, for if allowed to become over-dry it will shrivel, having no pseudobulbs to support it. Thrips and scale are sometimes found on this plant; these should be diligently searched for and destroyed, as the leaves, being of a fleshy nature, would otherwise soon become disfigured by the onslaught of these pests.