Part 8

The treatment which we find to suit the plant, is to grow it in a basket suspended from the roof, as it requires and enjoys all the light that can be given to it; but, of course, it needs to be shaded from the burning sun. The most suitable material in which to grow the plant is sphagnum moss and fibrous peat. It requires also a good supply of water in the growing season, so that it must be thoroughly drained. It thrives best in a cool house in which the same temperature is maintained as is found congenial to _Odontoglossum Alexandræ_, and others of that class.

Odontoglossum Londesboroughianum.—We have been under the impression that this species was not so good as it was first reported to be, but we are now of a different opinion. There are no doubt many varieties of the plant, as is the case with nearly all Orchids. In their native countries they are produced freely from seeds, all of the variations not being equally good. If our collectors could only pick out the best, when in bloom, we should be saved many disappointments, but of course they cannot spend their time in doing this. We were agreeably surprised when we paid a visit to the collection of G. W. Law-Scholefield, Esq., New-Hall-Hey, Rawtenstall, near Manchester, to see a fine spike of the _O. Londesboroughianum_ with twenty-five of its large blossoms, much finer than any we had ever seen before. The sepals and petals are yellow, barred with brown; the lip is large, of a bright golden yellow, and very showy, and, as the long spikes hung drooping among the white and coloured flowers of the other Orchids the effect was very good. No one could complain of having such a species as this, for it is a most showy flower.

Cypripedium insigne.—When calling at Mrs. Haywood’s, Norris Green, Liverpool, a few weeks ago, we were pleased to see a fine specimen of this old Orchid, which was two feet in diameter; on nearly all the numerous scapes there were two flowers, and very fine ones they were. Mr. Bardney, the gardener, informed us that they come so every year, which makes this plant the more interesting, as the character of the species is merely to produce one flower on a stalk. This plant was grown in the grand conservatory, in which there was a most wonderful display of blossom, in fact, the grandest lot of greenhouse flowers we ever remember to have seen in winter, consisting of Pelargoniumns, Primulas, Camellias, Cyclamens, and the _Luculia gratissima_, with 40 or 50 heads of bloom. There are not many Orchids at this place, but, what there are, are doing well, and are well looked after.

ZYGOPETALUM GAUTIERI. [Plate 28.] Native of St. Catherine’s, Brazil.

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ oblong, deeply furrowed, the younger ones ancipitous, attached to a branched creeping rhizome. _Leaves_ fascicled, distichous, the outer ones shorter, the central ones narrowly elongate-oblong, plicate with a strongly developed costa, ten to twelve inches long, bright green. _Scape_ issuing from the centre of the leaf-tufts, and terminating in a drooping raceme of three to six flowers, furnished with elongate-oblong amplexicaul bracts, those subtending the flowers being nearly as long as the pedicels. _Flowers_ large, showy, green blotched with brown, the lip purple with darker purple ruff in front of the column; _sepals_ and _petals_ oblong, acute, nearly equal, the petals directed upwards, all pale green transversely barred and blotched with purplish brown; _lip_ broad, three-lobed, furnished with an obtuse spur, the lateral lobes erect, rich deep purple, forming a crenated unguliform ruff or frill around the column, the middle lobe very large, two inches across, roundish, broader than long, apiculate, deep bluish purple, lighter at the edge. _Column_ short, half surrounded by the purple ruff, arcuate, the anther case yellow, with a projecting point at the apex.

Zygopetalum Gautieri, _Lemaire_, _Illustration Horticole_, t. 535; _Williams_, _Orchid Grower’s Manual_, 5 ed., 311.

This genus of Orchids does not comprise so many species as many others, but among those which are known and introduced, are some which make very useful autumn and winter flowering subjects, and which are well adapted for decorating our stoves and Orchid houses. Amongst them occur some of the oldest of cultivated Orchids, such as are generally to be met with in good old-fashioned places. We remember to have seen plants of _Zygopetalum Mackayi_ and _Z. crinitum_ some thirty years ago, also of _Z. maxillare_—grand specimens with from seventy to a hundred flowers upon them, and a magnificent sight they were, with their numerous spikes hanging around the foliage, as represented in the plate, and being similar in colour.

The species which we now desire to bring to the notice of our readers, is a very lovely one, which has been sometimes considered as a variety of _Zygopetalum maxillare_, but the flowers are larger, and it not only blooms much earlier, but continues in blossom for several weeks. In addition to this, it is a much freer grower than _Z. maxillare_. We have had different plants in flower for several months, and then they seemed as though they would continue blooming much longer; in fact this species seems to flower whenever it makes its young growth—a peculiar feature which renders it the most useful of its class.

Our plate was prepared from a plant which bloomed in the fine collection of Mons. D. Massange, of Marche, in Belgium, under the care of Mr. Wilcke, who is one of the most successful continental growers of Orchids. We had the pleasure of seeing specimens from M. Massange’s grand collection, exhibited at the great show held at Brussels in July, 1880.

_Zygopetalum Gautieri_ is a dwarf growing kind, attaining a height of about twelve inches, and is provided with distinct plaited green foliage. The flowers are large, and borne several together on the spikes; the sepals and petals are green, blotched with purplish brown, while the lip is of purplish blue, edged with a lighter tint of the same colour.

There are several varieties of this species, varying from very pale violet to a rich purplish blue, the variety here figured being one of the darkest-coloured forms we have yet met with. The flowers are particularly showy, and last a long time in perfection.

It is of easy cultivation, and not only free-growing but also free-blooming. It does well in the Cattleya house, planted in peat and moss, with good drainage, and it may be grown either in a pot or a basket, or on a block of wood, or on the stem of a tree fern, on which latter it is frequently imported from its native country. In its wild state, it appears naturally to creep up these fern stems, and it must look very beautiful growing in this way, since its drooping spikes cannot fail to have a good effect when thus seen hanging among the green foliage. It requires a good supply of water during the growing season, but, when at rest, less will suffice. The plant needs plenty of light, but it must be shaded from the fierce sun-rays during the summer months.

Lælia anceps Dawsoni.—One of the best specimens we have had the pleasure of seeing of _L. anceps Dawsoni_ is in the collection of R. S. Dodgson, Esq., Blackburn; it had four spikes of buds when we saw it in November last; since then we have received a spike of three flowers, and a very fine variety it is. Mr. Osman informs us that the plant has ten expanded blossoms. It is one of the best plants and as good a variety as we have met with; the sepals and petals are large, pure white, and of great substance; the lip is bright rosy purple edged with white, the throat orange, veined with purple. No doubt there are different varieties in cultivation which were imported along with this some years ago. Mr. Dodgson’s plant is grown suspended from the roof, and from its appearance this seems to be the best method of growing it to perfection. It likes plenty of light all the year round, and should be just kept shaded from the burning sun.

CŒLOGYNE MASSANGEANA. [Plate 29.] Native of Assam.

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ pyriform, three to four inches in height, smooth, bearing two leaves at the apex. _Leaves_ persistent, cuneate-oblong, acute, stalked, somewhat plicate, a foot and a half high including the stalk, and four inches broad. _Peduncle_ pendulous, produced from the base of the pseudobulbs, one and a half to two feet long, nigro-asperate; _bracts_ cuneate-oblong obtuse, much shorter than the pedicels. _Flowers_ showy, in loose racemes of two dozen or more, yellow with a brown lip; _sepals_ ligulate obtuse, somewhat keeled outside, light ochre-yellow; _petals_ linear-ligulate, of the same colour as the sepals; _lip_ three-lobed, concave, the side lobes semi-ovate, acute in front, of a beautiful maroon-brown with ochre-coloured veins, the middle lobe creamy white at the edge, with a large brown disk, short, transversely oval with an apiculus, and having three light yellow rather prominent toothletted keels extending from the base to the anterior lobe, and “six confluent rows of green retuse many-angled cells, reminding one of human molar teeth” in front of them. _Column_ light ochre-yellow, streaked with brown, winged in front, the anther-bed with a retuse membranous border.

Cœlogyne Massangeana, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, N.S., x., 684; _Floral Magazine_, 2 ser., t. 373.

The plant which we now bring under the notice of our readers belongs to a rather extensive genus of Orchids, some of the species of which are very beautiful, while others are not worth cultivating as decorative plants. That which is now before us, is, however, an exceedingly handsome and very remarkable species, which was imported from Assam, by MM. Jacob-Makoy & Cie., of Liège, Belgium. Our illustration was taken from a very fine plant, which produced no fewer than eight of its long pendulous racemes of flowers, some of these having as many as twenty-seven blossoms on them. This grand specimen was grown in the notable collection of Mons. D. Massange, at the Château de Baillonville, near Marche, in Belgium, in whose honour the species was named by Professor Reichenbach. We had the pleasure of seeing this extraordinarily fine plant, growing under pot-culture, in M. Massange’s Cattleya house, and since then we have received the materials from which our artist has made the capital representation which accompanies these remarks. In regard to its botanical affinities it stands near to the Bornean _Cœlogyne asperata_, which is sometimes called _C. Lowii_.

One remarkable feature of this _Cœlogyne Massangeana_ is the extraordinary shortness of time which it takes to develope its rather ample spikes of flowers; these are often pushed up from the pseudobulbs in their corkscrew-like fashion, and become extended to their full length in a very few days, the buds swelling off at once, and the flowers very soon appearing in full beauty, in which state they continue for four or five weeks.

We have seen a wonderfully fine example of this plant in the grand collection of R. Smith, Esq., Brentham Park, Stirling; this was suspended from the roof, and bore several fine flower-spikes. Mr. Smith regards this as one of the most beautiful Cœlogynes in cultivation. When we saw the plant, it was overhanging a wonderful specimen of _Cattleya exoniensis_, a grand variety, and there were also many other fine Cattleyas in the same house.

_Cœlogyne Massangeana_ is a free-growing evergreen plant, with stout pseudobulbs from three to four inches in height, each supporting a pair of light green plicate leaves, which are about eighteen inches high, and about four inches broad. The flower-spikes are produced from the base of the pseudobulbs, and, when the plants are in vigorous health, they frequently attain the length of eighteen inches, or sometimes two feet. The sepals and petals are of a light yellow-ochre colour; the lip rich brown, its upper part or side lobes creamy yellow, lined with brown. The plant flowers at various times of the year. We have more than once had it in bloom twice in one year, and it continues for several weeks in a state of freshness and beauty.

In its native country, Assam, this species is found growing on the branches and stems of trees. Here, provided it receives proper treatment, it is a very free-growing Orchid, and is also easy of increase, as it often produces two growths from one bulb. It will thrive either in a basket or in a pot, but, when in bloom, it should be suspended from the roof in order that it may be seen to the best advantage, to accomplish which, if it be grown in a pot, some wire may be fixed around the rim by which to hook it up. When growing it may occupy any part of the Cattleya house, but it should be placed so that it can obtain plenty of light. When hung up near the glass it must be shaded from the burning sun. With us it thrives well in good fibrous peat, and we have found it to be a free-rooting plant, requiring to be kept moist during the growing season; indeed, we never allow the plants to become too dry, but just supply them with sufficient moisture to prevent them from shrivelling. Every effort must be made to keep the foliage clean, and free from insects, in respect to which the cultivator should adopt and act up to the golden maxim—“Prevention is better than cure.”

Cymbidium eburneum.—In our remarks on this plant, under Plate 25, we have inadvertently referred to it as producing but one flower on a scape. This, however, is not quite correct; as, although the scapes each usually bear but a solitary blossom, we have known them to produce two, or sometimes even three flowers.—B. S. W.

LÆLIA ELEGANS ALBA. [Plate 30.] Native of Brazil.

Epiphytal. _Stems_ terete, somewhat club-shaped, about eighteen inches in height, the weaker ones bearing one, the stronger two, leaves at the apex. _Leaves_ solitary or in pairs, ligulate-oblong, from six inches to a foot in length, very thick and leathery in texture, of a bright green colour. _Scape_ two to three-flowered, issuing from a terminal oblong compressed bract, about three inches in length. _Flowers_ white and crimson-purple, large and very handsome, about six inches in expansion; _sepals_ oblong lanceolate, acute, plane, pure white; _petals_ rather shorter than the sepals, broadly-lanceolate, undulated at the margins, pure white; _lip_ three inches long, three-lobed, the lateral lobes rolled over the column, the front portion spreading, undulated, and marked within the edge with a blotch of crimson-purple, the middle lobe roundish, flabellately expanded, crispato-undulate, of a rich crimson-purple, the colour breaking out near the tip into crimson veins on a purplish ground, and extended into a claw-like base through the pale yellowish disk. _Column_ about as long as the convolute base of the lip, enclosed.

Lælia elegans var. alba, _Williams_, _Catalogue_ 1881, 68.

We have here one of the most beautiful of this charming class of Orchids, and one which no Orchid fancier can fail to admire. The showy blossoms of the forms of this species offer many shades of colour, those of the variety before us being exceedingly chaste and delicate. The accompanying figure is a good representation of this charming variety, and was prepared from a sketch of a well-grown specimen which bloomed in the fine collection of W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, under the care of Mr. Woolford, the gardener.

This Lælia grows about eighteen inches high; it is furnished with bold thick foliage of a pleasant green, and produces its blossoms in June and July, continuing for about three weeks in beauty. The sepals and petals are of a pure white, while the lip is of a rich magenta-crimson, the two colours making a well-marked and charming contrast. This delicately beautiful variety is extremely rare.

_Lælia elegans alba_ is like the Cattleyas in its growth, with the exception of the stems being more slender, most of them producing two short leaves about six inches in length. The plants require the same temperature and the same material in which to grow as the allied Cattleyas, and also about the same amount of water during the growing season. The rest required is also the same as for Cattleyas. There are some of the species, such as _L. albida_, _autumnalis_, _majalis_, _pumila_, and others, which will thrive better in a cooler temperature. They are all subject to insects, which should be diligently looked after. White scale is sometimes troublesome, and if allowed to remain on them will disfigure the foliage by causing yellow spots. Thrips will also attack them, and increase very fast if they are not kept under by adopting the usual remedies.

Shading Orchids.—This is a subject of the greatest importance in Orchid culture, and one that is often overlooked until it is too late—the mischief being done. What is required is a strong durable material that will wear well, and, where rollers are used, stand the strain upon it. It must also be understood that shading does not consist of merely daubing upon the glass some opaque material, such as paint, summer cloud, whitening, or the like, which though all very well as palliatives in positions where rollers cannot be used, such as at the ends and sides of a house, are greatly to be deprecated as a shading for the roof, for this reason, that in our English climate we are so subject to sudden changes of the weather, that were such a permanent shading to be used, we should frequently, especially during dull weather, have our plants in comparative darkness when they should be getting all the light possible. This cannot fail to lead to bad results and produce a sickly growth. Some growers use thick canvas; indeed, we have done so ourselves many years ago, but, by experience, we have found out the ill effects of it, for when we employed this kind of shading, we found the plants under its influence became weak and sickly, producing small puny flower-spikes. A lighter shading was then employed, and the difference was marvellous; the plants assumed quite a different aspect. It was at this time that we were exhibiting at Chiswick the fine specimens of East Indian Orchids—Aërides, Saccolabiums, Vandas, Dendrobiums, and many others—such as we seldom see equalled now. Since then we have used thinner shadings, with the best results. Our Vandas thus treated have always been strong and healthy, with broader foliage, producing their flower-spikes as often as three times a year, with the flowers of a good colour, lasting a long time in perfection; in fact we are never without flower, always having a good display. We refer more particularly to the suavis and tricolor section of the genus. Some people imagine Vandas do not flower till they attain a large size, but such is not the case if they are properly grown, and thin shading is used. Our experience leads us to the belief that all Orchids, with a few exceptions, require a thin shading, that is to say, one that, while warding off the direct rays of the sun, will allow the light to enter through it. To arrive at this result we use a strong, durable, cotton netting, woven in small squares, close enough to exclude the rays of the sun, while the light penetrates it with but little interruption. This netting stands exposure to the weather much longer than canvas, and on that account is cheaper in the long run. We have used this material for some years; in the case of Cool Orchids, Mexican, and East Indian kinds, with the best results, the netting being attached to rollers with appropriate gear. For the cool Orchid houses we employ raised blinds, upon which we hope to speak further shortly. The blinds can be managed with but little trouble. In the winter we take them off the house and put them in a dry place until they are required again in the ensuing spring.—B. S. W.

CALANTHE VEITCHII. [Plate 31.] A Garden Hybrid.

Terrestrial. _Pseudobulbs_ fleshy, conical, bluntly angular, four to six inches in height. _Leaves_ deciduous, about two from the apex of each pseudobulb, lanceolate, narrowed both towards the base and apex, plicate or plaited, of a bright green, produced before the flowers. _Scapes_ radical, downy, invested in the lower part with sheathing bracts, and each supporting a tall showy raceme of flowers, sometimes reaching three to four feet long. _Flowers_ abundant, each subtended by an ovate bract, of a very attractive and pleasing tint of rich deep rosy pink, darker in some varieties; _sepals_ oblong lanceolate, the dorsal one erect, the lateral ones spreading, deep rose-pink; _petals_ of the same form and colour, patent, directed upwards; _lip_ adherent to the column, round which it is rolled at the base, front part clawed, and expanded into a squarish four-lobed limb, rich rose-pink, deepening almost to crimson around the creamy white eye or centre, the spur straight, downy. _Column_ small, terete, downy at the back.

Calanthe Veitchii, _Lindley_, _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, 1859, 1016; _Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 5375; _Bateman_, _Second Century of Orchids_, t. 106; _Jennings_, _Orchids_, t. 48; _Floral Magazine_, t. 280; _Williams_, _Orchid Growers’ Manual_, 5 ed., 109.

This Hybrid is one of the most distinct and charming of Orchids, as well as one of the most useful for winter decoration. Our illustration was prepared from some admirably grown materials which were kindly sent to us from the rich collection of William Leach, Esq., of Oakley, Fallowfield, near Manchester, where we have seen as many as one hundred flower spikes of one of the most highly coloured forms of this somewhat variable plant in full beauty; and, intermixed as they were with the white _Calanthe vestita_, the effect produced was exceedingly pleasing and attractive. Mr. Swan seems to have hit upon the most successful method of cultivating these very charming plants, for some of the spikes bore as many as forty flowers. He evidently knows also how to arrange the plants to advantage, namely, by placing them in rows among the foliage of the East Indian Orchids, so that the Calanthes, blooming as they do without their leaves, have their beauty enhanced by the foliage of the associated plants, especially that of the Aërides and Vandas.

_Calanthe Veitchii_ is of deciduous habit, losing its foliage just as it comes into flower. We have, however, occasionally seen it with leaves accompanying its flowers, though its natural habit is to lose them. It produces flower spikes from three to four feet or more in length, and sometimes bears as many as fifty flowers on one spike. The plants are free-blooming and continue in flower for two months. The sepals and petals, as well as the lip, are of a rich rosy pink colour. A gay appearance may be kept up throughout the dull months of winter by having a sufficient number of plants and starting them successively into blossom.