ffa Si; V 0 ?

THE

CONTAINING A BKIEF DESCRIPTION

OF

UPWAEDS OF TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY

OECHIDACEOUS PLANTS

5fOTICES OF THEIR TIMES OF FLOWERING AND MOST APPROVED MODES OF TREAT^LENT ;
ALSO, PLAIN AND PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO THE GENERAL
CULTURE OF ORCHIDS; AND REMARKS ON THE HEAT,
MOISTURE, SOIL, AND SEASONS OF GROWTH
, . AND REST, BEST SUITED TO THE

SEVERAL SPECIES.

TOGETHER WITH

BY

V

BENJAMIN SAMUEL WILLIAMS,

GAEDEJs^ER TO CHAELES B. WAENEE, ESQ. HODDESDON, HEP.TS.

LONDON:

CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193 PICCADILLY.

MDCCCLII,

LONDON :

PRINTED BY G. BARCLAY, CASTLE ST. LEICESTER SQ.

TO

CHARLES BORHAM WARNER, Esq.

FELLOW OF THE HORTICULTTJEAL SOCIETY OF LONDON,
ARE

RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED
BY

HIS OBEDIENT SERVANT,

B. S. WILLIAMS.

The following papers were written nearly four years
ago,, at the suggestion of Mr. Bellenden Ker^ who had
commenced the cultivation of Orchids, and whose gar-
dener then employed was not conversant with their
treatment. At first it' was intended that the observa-
tions should have been printed in a small volume ; but
the papers were afterwards offered to the Editor of the
Gardener^s Chronicle/^ in which publication they
appeared under the title of Orchids for the Milhon."^^
They were preceded by the following remarks^ made
by the gentleman at whose suggestion they were
written.

" Being desirous of growing a few of the more showy
Orchidaceous plants^ but as neither myself nor my then
gardener was acquainted with the mode of their cul-
tivation^ I applied for some information on this head to
Mr. Williams^ the gardener of my neighbour^ Mr.

PRE PACE. /

vi

PKEFACE.

Warner^ and who kindly^ from time to time, gave me
such instruction as was necessary for a beginner.
There is a notion amongst gardeners that the cultiva-
tion of these plants is attended with great difficulty ;
that different houses for different climates are necessary ;
and that the secret of good culture is only known to
few; that, in fact, no one but those having a large
establishment, and a gardener expressly skilled in Or-
chidaceous culture, should attempt to grow them. Mr.
Bateman, in the preface to his great work, intimates
that their cultivation is to be left to the aristocratic,
whilst the more humble florist is to be confined to his
Carnations, Auriculas, Dahlias, and such-like flowers.
Mr. Williams^ plan seemed to me very simple, and also
that one house might easily be made to answer the
purpose, if properly managed; at least for those who
are not ambitious of possessing a very large collection,
or of growing such as are most impatient of culture.
Having derived much advantage from the instruction
afforded to me, I recommended Mr. Williams to make
notes of his mode of culture, and since these were
written I have advised him to publish them. I trust
that, to humble beginners like myself, I have done
good service by this advice ; and I cannot but think
that ere long many will be induced to attempt the cul-
tivation of this beautiful tribe of plants, who, for want
of plain instructions, have hitherto been deterred from

PREFACE.

vii

making a beginning. A very small house is sufficient^
hot-water pipes or tanks are now cheap^ and a small
boiler may be had for 21. 10s,, or less; and glass
(thanks to Sir Kobert Peel) is also within the means of
the humblest gardener ; and those who refer to Mr.
Rivers^ account in your paper of how to make cheap
lights^ and build cheap houses^ will find that for 40/._, or
less^ a very sufficient Orchid-house, with hot-water
apparatus, may be put up.

Knowing the pleasure derived by many in the
humblest classes from the cultivation of flowers, and
how much talent, patience, and ingenuity, are often
displayed by such amateurs, I feel gratified by the hope
that I may possibly be the means of increasing the
harmless amusement of many. It is not likely that
Mr. Williams^ instructions will interest or inform those
cultivators — Mr. Mylam, Mr. Blake, Mr. Bassett,
Messrs. Veitch, RoUisson, &c., or others at the head
of the great collections of this country ; it is merely for
the benefit of the beginner that they are intended. As
regards the fitness of Mr. Williams to instruct, the
best proof I can offer of this is, that for some years he
has exhibited, both at Chiswick and in the Regent^s
Park, and a reference to the prize lists will show that
he was always successful, and, during the past years,
obtained 23 gold and 12 silver medals for Orchids,
and 14 silver ones for Perns. Mr. Warner's coUec-

viii

PEEFACE.

tion not being so large as those of many others, it was
only the last two years that Mr. Williams competed in
the highest class of twenty plants/^

Since the first appearance of these observations, I
have revised them, and have added notices of several
desirable, showy, and new species ; and the following
pages will contain short and plain, but, it is believed,
accurate descriptions of more than 260 of the best Orchids
now in cultivation. I cannot resist this opportunity of
expressing my gratification at finding that it has come to
my knowledge that the publication of these papers
has already induced several persons to commence the
cultivation of this interesting class of plants.

Any reader of this Manual w^ho may be interested
in the commencement and progress of the culture of
Orchids in this country, will find a clear and useful
summary of information on this subject in an article
on Ephiphytes in the " Penny Cyclopedia.'^

THE

ORCHID. GROWER'S MANUAL.

INTKODUCTION.

The nature and the habits of Orchidaceous plants are now
better known than they were some few years ago, and we
have become acquainted with the conditions of their growth
in the countries where they are indigenous. There they
are exposed to a dry season, during which they are at rest ;
and to a rainy season, when the heat is higher, and the
air moist nearly to saturation. To grow Orchids in any
perfection, their native climate must, to a certain extent,
be imitated ; viz. they must have a period of rest in a dry
and comparatively cool atmosphere,, and during their growth
and flowering they should be exposed to a high moist
atmosphere ; but as they principally grow on the trunks
and branches of trees, it is important that they should be
exposed to a free current of air, and also to the light : this
is essential, except in some few species which require
shading, to prevent the plants being exposed to the direct
action of the sun's rays, which is apt to scorch the leaves.
The great heat and moisture are only necessary while the
plants are in vigorous growth, and this period should be dur-
ing spring and summer, the best periods of rest being from

B

2

ORCHIDS.

about November till February ; and it is the long period of
rest which predisposes the plant to blossom. Of course, the
rules as to the periods of growth and rest can only be
stated in general terms. There are certain kinds which do
not entirely cease growing throughout the whole year.
And again, even of those which do go to rest periodically, on
the completion of their growth, it does not always happen
that their time of rest corresponds with that at which
the largest numbers go to rest.

Directions for the period of Growth,

When the growing season commences, raise the tem-
perature of the East India house, or house in which the
greatest heat is maintained, to 65° by night and 70° by
day ; by sun heat it may be allowed to range to 75°,
and as the days lengthen, so the temperature may be per-
mitted to increase ; and during the months of May, June,
July, and August, it should range from 70° to 75^ by
night, and from 75° to 80° by day, and. by sun heat to 85°,
or even 90° : this will not do any harm, provided the
plants are shaded from the direct rays of the sun. The
Mexican or cooler house should be 60° by night, and from
65° to 70° by day ; and as the days lengthen, so the tem-
perature may be allowed to increase ; and duiing the
months of May, June, July, and August, the night heat
may range from 65° to 70°, and by day from 70° to 85°.
Great attention should, at the same time, be paid to the
state of the atmosphere, as regards moisture ; at all times
of the year this is of much importance to the successful
growth of the plants, for they derive the greater part of
their subsistence from the moisture in the air, so that
wherever any plants are growing, the atmosphere should
be well supplied T\ith moisture : this is obtained by pour-
ing water over the tables, walls, and paths of the house

WATEE.

3

every morning and afternoon ; and by keeping the hot-
water tanks full, this will cause a nice gentle steam to rise,
which is of great value whilst the plants are in a vigor-
ous state of growth, especially as regards the East Indian
Orchids, such as Aerides, Saccolahiiuns, Vandas, Phalce-
nopsis, Dendrohiwns, and many others requiring a high
temperature, with a considerable degree of moisture. The
Mexican Orchids, most of which come from a cooler climate,
not so saturated with water, of course require less heat and
moisture, but these should have a considerable degree of
warmth during their growing season.

Water.

This should be administered with great care, especially
in the case of plants just starting into growth, as, if
watered too profusely, the young shoots are apt to be
affected by the moisture of the house, and liable to what is
termed damping off; whilst, therefore, the shoots are
young, only enough of water should be given to keep moist
the peat in which the plants are grown. As they ad-
vance in growth, more may be given ; and when the pseudo-
bulbs are about half grown, they may have a good supply
at the roots. My practice is to shut up the house in the
spring of the year about three o'clock ; and in May, June,
July, August, and September, I shut it up about an hour
later, when the heat of the sun is on the decline. I then
usually give a gentle syringing with water, as nearly as may
be of the same temperature as that of the house. In fine
weather, the temperature from sun heat will increase fre-
quently as high as 95°, or even more ; but I have never
experienced any injury from this, so long as the house was
saturated with moisture, in which case there is no fear of
any injury to the plants. The house should be dried up
once a-day, if possible, by means of ventilation. In

4

OKCHIDS.

syringing, be very careful not to wet the young shoots too
much. The syringe should be furnished with a fine rose,
so as to cause the water to fall on the plants in imitation
of a gentle shower of small rain ; but this syringing should
only be done after a hot summer's day. Those plants
which are growing on blocks of wood should be sj-ringed
twice a-day in the summer time ; and I also find it a good
method, during the growing season, to take the blocks
down, and dip them in water till the wood and moss are
thoroughly soaked. Plants in baskets should likewise be
taken down and examined, and if they are dry, they should
be soaked in the water. This is also a good mode of get-
ting rid of many insects that harbour in the moss, such as
the woodlouse and cockroach ; when the moss is soaked,
they will come to the top, and then they may be easily
killed. Rain or pond water is the best.

On the Cultivation of Tropical Orchids.

Among Orchids some are termed terrestrial, growing in
earth ; such as the genera Phajiis, Calanthe, Bletia, Cyrto-
podium, Cypripedium, &c. : all draw support from the
ground. Epiphytes, the other class, inhabit trees and rocks ;
from which, however, they derive little or no nourishment.
These are by far the most numerous and interesting.
They are found adhering to the arms of living trees, whilst
some of them delight in very elevated situations upon high
trees. Others, again, grow upon low trees, some on rocks
and mountains, some on trees overhanging a river, and
some near dripping rocks. The latter, of course, require
a particularly damp atmosphere to grow in ; others are
found in woods, where scarcely any sun can penetrate;
these like a shady moist atmosphere, whilst those in more
elevated situations do not need so much shade as the last.
A knowledge of the different habitats of the various species

MODE OF POTTING, AND MATEEIALS.

6

is essential to the careful grower, so that he may, as far as
his means permit, place them in circumstances similar to
those in which they make their natural growth ; and it is,
perhaps, to inattention on this point that the want of suc-
cess in the culture of some of the orchidaceous plants, hy
even the most successful of our cultivators, is to be attri-
buted.

Mode of Totting , and the Materials to he used.

When the season of rest is over, many kinds will re-
quire repotting : but I have not confined my practice to
that time only ; no season can be determined on absolutely
as the proper one for this operation. The months of
February and March are the best times to pot some of
them, that is, after the resting season. Those that do not
need potting should be top-dressed with good fibrous peat,
removing the old soil from the top without breaking the
root of the plants. This also affords the means of getting
rid of many insects which harbour in the old soil. The
pots should be thoroughly cleansed from the mould, moss^
and dirt, too often seen covering those in which Orchids
ai^e growing. Previously to potting the plants, they should
not receive any water for four or five days. Some, how-
ever, should be potted at a period somewhat later, viz. just
as they begin to grow. All the species of the genera
Phajus, Calanthea, Dendrobium, Stanhope, Cyrtojoodiim,
Brassia, Miltonia, Sohralia, Bletia, Oncidium, and many
others, require this treatment. Lcslias, Cattleyas, Sacco-
lahiums, Aerides, Vandas, and similar plants, should be
potted just before the commencement of their growing
season. The chief point to be attended to in all potting
is that the pots may be well drained ; the best material for
drainage is potsherds or charcoal. Before potting, be par-
ticular to have the pots perfectly clean inside and out, and

6

OECHIDS.

the broken potsherds should be washed : after this is done,
select a pot according to the size of the plant ; do not give
them too much pot room. Some plants will require shift-
ing once a-year; others it will not be necessary to shift
oftener than once in two or three years : but if a plant
become sickly or soddened with wet, the best way to bring
it into a healthy state is to turn it out of the pot or basket,
and wash the roots carefully with some clean water, cutting
off such of the fibres as are dead ; then to repot it, not
giving it much water till ^the plant begins to make fresh
roots. The best pots are those in ordinaiy use. Some
employ slate pots, but they are not, in my opinion, so good
for Orchids as those made of clay.

In potting large plants, there should be a small pot
turned upside down in the bottom of the large one ; then
fill in with potsherds or charcoal broken up into pieces,
about two inches square for large plants ; — smaller plants
should not have pieces so large ; then introduce potsherds
till within three or four inches of the rim, and afterwards
put on a layer of moss to prevent the peat from impeding
the drainage, and to let the water pass off quickly. This
is of great importance, and if it is not attended to the water
will jecome stagnant, and the soil sodden, which is fatal to
the growth of the plant. The grand point to be observed
in the successful culture of Orchids, as well as of other
plants, is good drainage ; without that it is hopeless to try
to keep the plants long in a healthy condition. The best
material for potting the different kinds of epiphytes in is
good, rough, fibrous peat and sphagnum moss ; after the
layer of moss is applied, then fill up with peat. This
should be broken into lumps about the size of a hen's egg :
I always use broken potsherds or charcoal mixed with the
peat. The plant should be elevated above the rim of the
pot two or three inches, taking care to have all the pseudo-

MATEEIALS FOR TEERESTRIAL ORCHIDS.

7

bulbs above the soil ; then put some peat on the top of the
roots so as to cover them, employing a few small pegs to
keep the soil firmly in the pot. After the plants are pot-
ted I fix a stick in the centre of the plant, to keep it firm.
In shifting, I carefully shake off all the old soil I can ^^ith-
out injming the roots, and am careful not to give too much
water at first ; but after the plants begin to make more
root, they have a good supply. The best material for
those in baskets is sphagnum moss and broken potsherds.
The basket should suit the size of the plant ; but do not
have it too large, for it will not last more than two or three
years, at which time, probably, the plant will require shift
ing into a larger one. There should be placed a layer of
moss at the bottom of the basket, then a few potsherds,
then fill up with moss and potsherds mixed. Take the
plants carefully out of the old basket without breaking the
roots, shake off all the old moss, place the plant on the new
material, about level with the top of the basket ; put a stick
in the centre, to keep it firm, and finish by giving a gentle
watering.

Those plants that reqmre wood to grow upon should
have moss attached to the blocks, if by experience they are
found to require it; some, however, do better on bare
blocks, but they need more moisture, as they are then
entirely dependent on what is obtained from tlie atmo-
sphere. In fastening them firmly on the blocks, have some
copper nails and drive them into the block : then, with cop-
per wire, secm'e the plants firmly to the wood. As soon as
they make fresh roots they will cling to the block, and the
wire may be taken away.

The Material for Terrestrial Orchids.

These require a stronger compost than the epiphytical
kinds. They should be. potted just when they begin to

8

ORCHIDS.

grow, after the resting season ; they do not need so much
drainage as epiphytes. The compost I use for them is
imfj loam chopped into pieces about the size of a walnut,
leaf-mould, and a little rotten cow-dung; these are all
mLx:ed well together. The plants require a good-sized pot ;
put about two inches of drainage at the bottom, on that a
layer of moss, then some of the rough peat, and finish with
the compost above-mentioned ; place the plant one inch
below the rim of the pot; water sparingly at first, but
when the plants are about six inches high they may have a
good supply.

Treatment of Fresh-imported Plants.

These, when unpacked, should be sponged over every
leaf and bulb, and all the old decayed parts taken
away. There are many insects that will harbour in them,
such as the cockroach, and the different kinds of scale,
which are great enemies. When they are clean they
should be laid on dry moss and placed in some shady part
of the house, where it is rather cool and diy. Too much
hght, heat, and moisture at first is injurious to them.
The moss should be gTadually moistened, and when they
begin to grow and make roots they should be potted or put
on blocks or in baskets, but care should be taken not to
have the pots too large ; over-potting is dangerous.

As soon as they begin to gi'ow, those which come from
the hotter parts of India should be put at the warmest end
of the house, but they should not have too much moisture
at first : those which come from the more temperate re-
gions should be kept at the coolest part of the house, and
they should not be allowed to stand under any drip, as this
frequently rots the young shoots as soon as they appear.
Such plants as Vandas, Saccolabiums, derides, Angrcecums,
PhalcBjiojms, are fastened on blocks as soon as they are

OKCHID-HOUSES.

9

received, and I place them so tliat the plants hang down-
wards, in order that no water may lodge about them, till
they begin to gi'ow and form new roots : this is much the
safest mode of treating these valuable Orchids. This is
also the mode adopted by Messrs. Rollisson of Tooting, who
are among the most successful growers of these plants.

Remarks on the most suitable House for the Culture of the
OrchidecB,

Mr. Warner's house stands north and south ; it is
60 feet long, with a span-roof, 24 feet wide and 13 feet
high ; in the centre is a glass division, so as to make two
houses, one for those that come from the warmer parts of
India, next the boiler, and the other for those which come
from cooler climates, and which require less heat and
moisture. There are two middle tables, each 4 feet
7 inches wide, 2 feet 8 inches high, for plants, and a path
3 feet wide rmis up the centre of the house. Along each
side are slate cisterns for holding rain-water, and under
these are three rows of 4-inch hot- water pipes ; on the top
of the cisterns is a table for plants, and up each side of
the house there is a path 3 feet wide. York stone suits
best for the floor of the house, because it holds more
moisture than slate, but slate is best for tables ; the latter
should be made with a ledge, so that they can hold water
during the summer, but in winter they should be dry : the
water should never be permitted to be long on the shelves
at a time. I change it once a-week. I put a layer of
small stones, about the size of bantams' eggs, in the water,
to set the pots on, and in this way a good drainage is
maintained.

For heating an Orchid-house nothing is better than
hot water ; three rows of 4-inch pipe should run round the
house, and two round each centre table, inside of the

10

ORCHIDS.

brickwork on wliicli the table rests ; and there should
be an open tank in the centre, vdth means for turning off
the water when moisture is not required. Small iron ven-
tilators, made to open and shut, should be inserted in the
brickwork on each side, so as to allow the heat and mois-
ture to pass into the house when required. At each end
of the middle tables there should be a hole, provided with
a sliding door, large enough for a man to enter under the
tables, to examine the pipes at any time when they are
out of order.

Glazing.

The laps here are close. The squares are 3 feet long
and 11 inches vdde, sheet glass, 21 oz. to the foot. On
both sides there should be upright sashes, containing glass
15 inches high and 11 inches wide. The south end of
Mr. Warner's house is glazed, and the north end is brick-
work, for climbing Ferns and Orchids. Each sash-bar of
the roof should have a small groove in it, to allow the
-water to run down to the bottom of the bar, where a small
zinc gutter should be provided to receive it; if this be
not attended to, the latter will drip on the plants, which
is very injurious to them.

Ventilation.

This is of great importance ; for if cold air is allowed
to pass among the plants they will not thrive, and all care
which has previously been bestowed on them will be in
vain. Means of ventilation should, therefore, be pro\dded
for, near the ground, close to the hot-water pipes, in order
that the air may be warmed in entering the house. In
the houses here there are three ventilators on each side of
each house, two at the south end in the brickwork, and

VENTILATION AND CISTEENS.

11

two at the north end near the top of the house. The ven-
tilating shutters are made of wood, about two feet long,
one foot \vide ; sliding slate ventilators answer perhaps
better: there should be two glass ventilators at the
south end near the roof, as the top-lights of the house
are not made to slide.

Every Orchid -house requires to be shaded. The
best material for shading is canvass, and there should
be blinds on each side of the house, with a strong lath
at the top to nail the canvass to, w4th a roller at the
bottom. The canvass must be nailed to the roller, but
care should be taken in doing this that the awning
roll up regularly from the bottom to the top. I never,
however, allow the canvass to be down, except when the
sun is powerful, for I find that too much shade is injurious
to most kinds of Orchids. The awning will also be useful
in the winter season for covering the house during a frosty
night, being a great protection to those plants that are
near the glass. It is advisable to have a covering on the
top of the house for the protection of the canvass when
rolled up, in order to keep it from the wet.

Slate cisterns, for collecting the water which falls on
the roof, are very important in a house. We have cisterns
on each side of the house over the hot-water pipes, which
keep the water at the same temperature as that of the
house.

The best houses for the culture of the Orchids, in my
opinion, are those with span roof, facing east and west, and
not more than 10 or 11 feet high in the centre, 17 or
18 feet wide, and about 60 feet long, with a glass division
in the centre to separate them into two houses. One for
those that come from the East Indies, which ought to be
next to the boiler ; and the other house for those that
come from cooler regions : there ought to be upright

12

ORCHIDS.

saslies on both sides of the house, with glass from 15 to
20 inches high, and not made to open. Many of the
Orchid-growers object to the side-sashes, and generally
recommend brickwork, with the roof laid on the brickwork,
and no glass on either side ; but, in my opinion, that is not
the best plan, and I would recommend any one about to
build an Orchid-house to have upright sashes on both sides,
and glass at the south end and brickwork at the north
end. I have found by experience that Orchids cannot
have too much light ; that this is the only way to get good,
stout, ripe bulbs for flowering. Small houses are the best
for Orchids. There are several large houses in different
parts of the country, but in no instance have T seen the
plants gi'ow well in them. These large houses take twice
the heat to keep them at the right temperature ; and, after
all, they do not seem adapted to the wants of the plants.
I w^ould advise those who have large houses and their
Orchids not doing well, to pull them down, or turn them
into some other purpose, and try smaller ones for Orchids ;
the expense would soon be saved by diminished cost of
pipes and fuel.

Treatmsnt of Plants in Floiver, and the best Mode of
protractmg their Bloom,

There are many Orchids that may be removed w^hen in
flower to a much cooler house than that in which they are
groTO, or even in a warm sitting-room. The following are
among the advantages of keeping them during their period
of flowering in a cool and dry atmosphere, rather than, as
is frequently the case, in a hot and moist house : in the
latter, the flow^ers do not last nearly so long as they do
when moved to a cooler house or a warm room. Perhaps
there are not many cultivators who have studied this point
more than myself, and I never found the plants injured by

EEMOVAL OF PLANTS IN FI.OWEK.

13

this treatment. Some imagine, that if they are put in a
cool place they wiU be injured; but this, in my experi-
ence, has not occurred. During the time they are in a
room, the temperature should not be below 50°. At night
the room should be kept quite dry, and before they are
removed from the stove they should be put at the coolest
end of it ; or, if there be two houses, those that are in the
hottest should be moved to the coolest for a few days
before being taken into the room, and they should be
allowed to get nearly dry, and should receive but very little
water— only enough to keep the roots moist. The flowers
should not receive any moisture.

I name a few that I have tried in a room during the
months of May, June, July, and August. I have kept
Saccolahium guttatum in this way five weeks, Aerides
afflne the same time ; A. odoratiim or A. roseum, and some
of the Dendrobiums, viz. nohile and ccBrulescens, I have
kept in a room four and five weeks. D. moniliforme, D.
macTophyllum, D. pidchellitm, D. Buckerii, and D. se-
cundum, last a much longer time in bloom if they are
kept cool. Brassias and Oncidimns, Epidendrums, Odonto-
glossums, Cyrtochilums, Tricliopelia tortilis, Lycaste Skin-
nerii, L. aromatica, L. criienta, Maxillaria tenuifoUa, As-
pasia lunata, and all the Cattleyas, succeed well in a cool
room or house, and last for a much longer time in flower.
I have kept Lcelia majalis in a cool room four and five
weeks, and L. Jiava will keep a much longer time in blos-
som than in the warm house. When the bloom begins to
fade they should be removed to the stove, where they
may be placed in the coolest end, with plenty of
shade : they ought to be kept there for about ten days, for
if they are exposed to the sun they are very apt to become
scorched.

14

OECHIDS.

Treatment of Plants previously to being taken to a
Flower Show,

It is my practice to move them to a cool dry house or
room for a few days. If the plants are growing in the
hottest house, I move them to the cooler one. They
should not receive any water for two or three days, and
should be allowed just enough to keep them slightly moist.
"When it is probable that the plants will come into blossom
earlier than is wished, the time of flowering may be suc-
cessfully retarded by taking them to a cooler part of the
house, or even putting them in a greenhouse, keeping
them slightly shaded during the brightest part of the day.
Dendrobiums are very easy to keep back, if they are wanted
to bloom later in the season. Dendrobium nobile, D.
jyiilchellum, D. macroijhyllitm, D. densifionm, D. Farmerii,
D. Pierardii, these generally bloom during winter, but
I have kept them back until June ; and by having a
succession of plants you may have the Orchid-house gay
with Dendrobiums from January to June. All the Den-
drobiums will bear a cool treatment while at rest, and all
can be kept for late flowering. The treatment they require
in a warm greenhouse is to have but little water, only
enough to keep them from shrivelling ; the temperature
should not go below 40°, and the bulbs of the plants must
be kept dry, or the flower-buds are apt to rot. When the
plants are w^anted to flower, move them into the Orchid-
house, and keep them shaded from the sun. Phajus
Wallichii and grandifoliiis may be kept back in the same
way as the Dendrobiums.

Pemarhs on preparing Orchids for travelling to a
Floiver-Shoiv,

These plants require great care in packing and tying.

PACKING FOE EEMOVAL,

IS

for many are very tender. Their flowers being large and
waxy, some of tliem require more packing than others. I
Itaye seen many a plant spoiled by not being carefully
packed, and it is a vexatious thing to have a fine specimen
plant spoiled during its journey to the place of exhibition.
They will travel as well forty miles as ten, if they are pro-
perly packed. I have had a good deal of this work to do,
and a few hints on the subject to young beginners may be
of use to them. Some kinds bear removing much better
than others. The genus Phajus WalUchii and grandifolim
are both bad plants for travelling, if not well packed. I
have seen fine plants brought to different flower-shows,
with their flowers completely spoilt for the want of careful
packing ; though I have shown P. WalUchii these last five
years at the Chiswick and Regent's Park exhibitions, and
they have always been conveyed without injuiy, In pre-
paring them, I first get some strong flower sticks, and put
one to each flower spike ; the stick should be long enough
to go into the earth, so as to remain firm ; the sticks
should be placed at the back part of the flowers, and stand
one or two inches above the flower spike ; then get some
wadding and tie up the stick, afterwards tie the flower-
spike firmly to the stick, add more wadding, putting it round
every flower-stalk, and tie them firm to the flower-spike :
begin at the top of the spike, and tie every flower separately,
so that the flowers do not touch one another. The leaves
of the plant must not be allowed to rub against the flowers.
On arriving at the end of their journey, untie them, remove
the wadding, and tie them in the proper form. In tying,
care should be taken not to rub the flowers.

Saccolahiums and Aerides do not require so much pack-
ing. It is sufficient to put two or three sticks to each
spike, one at each end, and one m the centre, if the spike
be long ; but if short, two will be sufficient. The stick.

16

OECHIDS.

which should only be long enough to support the spike in
the drooping way in which they ai'e growing, should be
fixed firmly in the basket or pot ; a small piece of wadding
should be placed on the top of the stick, to which the spike
should be firmly tied. This will be sufficient to cause
safety. The wadding should not be allowed to touch the
top part of the flowers, as it will stick to them, and be
verv hard to remove.

Yandas require more packing, their flowers being larger,
and further apart ; on the spike place some wadding be-
tween each flower, then fix some sticks firmly in the
basket, and tie the spike to them, without letting the stick
touch the flowers : wadding should then be put in between
the flowers to keep them separate.

PhalcEuopsis grandiflora and amahills are bad to travel,
and require much care. The best way is to get a box and
set the plant in the bottom of it, which must be long
enough to allow the flower-spike to lie at its full length ;
wadding should then be placed underneath the flowers, which
should lie flat on the wadding ; another sheet of wadding
should then be placed on the top of the flowers, in order to
make them lie firm. I have also taken them to shows
treated in the same way as recommended for Yandas.

Dendrohiims. — Some of them only require a stick to
each bulb fixed firmly in the pot, to tie the bulb to : such
as D. nohile, D. macropliyllum, D. Devonianion, D. monili-
forme, and similarly flowermg sorts. Those sorts that
flower with pendulous racemes, such as D. densiflorium,
D. Farmerii, and others growing in the same way, re-
quire three sticks, — one to the bulb, to which the latter
should be fiimly tied ; then put the other two to the flower
spike, one at each end, in the same way as with the Sacco-
labiwns.

Cattleyas require to be packed veiy carefully ; their

TREATMENT DURING REST.

IT

flowers should be tied so that thej do not touch one an-
other. I ahvays put a stick to each flowering bulb, and tie
it firmly, and a stick to each flower-stalk, just below the
flower, with a piece of wadding round the stalk ; afterw^ards
tie the stalks to the stick : neither the stick nor the leaves
of the plant should be allowed to touch the flowers, or they
will bruise.

Oncidiums travel well ; they only require a strong stick
to each flower-spike, with a piece of wadding round the
stick when it is tied.

Sohralias macrantlia is a bad plant to travel, if not
properly tied. There should be a strong stick to each
flowering bulb, and tied firmly ; and also one to the flower-
stalk, with a piece of wadding close to the flowers ; then
tie the stalk firmly to the stick, and allow nothing to rub
against the flowers.

Peresteria alata. — This should be treated in the same
way as the Phajus.

Cypripediums require a small stick to each flower-stalk.
AU the Ly caste, and other Orchids that flower in the same
way, require similar support for their flowers.

The best mode of conveyance for Orchids is a spring
van with a cover on the top. In placing the plants in the
van, I ahvays put some hay between each pot, to keep
them firm and prevent their rubbing against each other.

Treatment during the Time of Best.

Rest is of great importance to Orchids, as well as other
things. No plant will continue long in good health with-
out it. My practice is to give them a long season of rest,
generally from November to the middle of February.
During this time the temperature of the East India house
should be regulated so as to keep it as near as possible at
60° by night, and 65° by day ; but by sun heat the tem-

c

18

ORCHIDS.

peratnre will rise a few degi^ees higher. Air must then be
given so as to keep it about 65° ; but a few degrees of
solar warmth above this point will do no harm. A little
air should be given on eveiy fine day, in order to dry up
damp ; but the air must be admitted close to the hot- water
pipes, so that it may become warm on entering the house.
As to those plants that come from the hotter parts of India,
the temperature should not be allowed to go below 60°.
The Mexican house should range from 50° to 55° by night,
and from 55° to 60° by day; this should not be allowed to
go below 50° at night.

Rest is induced by lowering the temperature, and with-
holding water from the plants ; during this season they
should only receive sufficient water to keep them from
shrivelling. There are, however, some plants that will
gi'ow dming the ^vinter months, as many of the Aerides,
Yandas, Saccolabiums, Phalsenopsis, Zygopetalums, and
similar kinds. These will requke water at the roots to
keep them increasing, but care should be taken not to wet the
young shoots, for if they get wet they are veiy apt to rot at
this season of the year. Those that are growing should be
placed at the warmest end of the house.

Some Orchids are deciduous, losing thek leaves after
they have finished their growth. To this class belong
Cyrtopodiums, Barkerias, Cycnoches, Phajus albiis, some of
the Denclrohiums, Ccelogyne ynaculata, C. Wallichiana, and
many others. I always place these so that they may have
as much light and sun during their season of rest as pos-
sible. This is the only way to ripen their bulbs, which
causes them to grow stronger and flower more freely.
These plants require but veiy little water when at rest.
But when such plants as Vandas, Angraecums, Aerides,
Saccolabiums, and Phalgenopsis are at rest, they should
never be allowed to get too dry at the roots : the moss

INSECTS.

19

should always be kept a little damp; for tlie stems and
leaves are very apt to shrivel if kept too dry, and this often
causes them to lose their bottom leaves ; and they require
but a short season of rest. Those which are growing on
blocks will require more water than those w^hich are in pots
or baskets, and they should be watered about twice or
three times a-week if the weather be fine, but in dull
weather they will not require it so often. The water
should be poured over the paths and walks every fine
morning, with a view to create a moist atmosphere, but
the moisture in the house must be regulated according to
the weather outside ; — this is an important point to be at-
tended to : if the w^eather be dull outside, the house inside
must be kept dry. The glass and roof should alwa^^s be
perfectly clean, so that the plants may have plenty of light
and sun : it is my practice, as soon as the season of rest
commences, to wash every piece of glass on the house, and
also the woodwork.

Insects.

The plants are liable to be injured by many sorts of
insects, such as red spider, thiips, mealy-bug, wiiite and
brown scale, woodlice, cockroaches, and a small shell
snail. Cockroaches are among the greatest plagues we
have to deal with ; they will do a great deal of mischief in
a few nights, if they are not sought after, on every oppor-
tunity. The food they like best is the young tender roots
and flower-stems. I have seen the roots of a plant com-
pletely eaten off in one night. The only way to keep
these insects under is by constantly looking after them, both
by night and day. I search for them every evening by
candle-light, and in the daytime by moving the pots and
baskets under which they harbour. They leave their
hiding-places in the evening, and seek after food, and it is

so

ORCHIDS.

then that they are most easily caught. It is also a good
plan to lay some damp moss in the hottest part of the
house ; I have killed many in this way, looking the moss
over every two or three days. I have also destroyed them
with a mixture of honey, lard, and arsenic, the latter in
very small quantity. I place some of this in oyster shells
in different parts of the house. Some growers mix the
arsenic ^ith tallow put on a stick, which is stuck in the
pots ; care, however, must be taken that the mixture does
not touch the leaves or bulbs of the plants.

The small ants are another pest in the Orchid-house,
as they carry the dirt to the flowers, w^hich spoils their
appearance. The best thing I know of to catch these little
and troublesome insects, is to cut apples in halves, scoop
out some of the inside, and lay the pieces in different parts
of the house, looking them over very often. I have de-
stroyed hundreds this way in a very short time.

The woodlouse and the small shell snail are also very
destructive. These, like the cockroach, are very fond of
the young roots ; they may be trapped by cutting some
potatoes in two, scooping out the inside, and placing them
on th^ pots and baskets, looking over them every night and
morning till you clear your house of these vermin. Tur-
nips cut in slices will answer the same end. Toads are
veiy useful in catching insects ; I always keep a stock of
them in the house.

The best way of getting rid of red spider and thrips is
by constantly washing the leaves with clean water, and by
fumigating the house with tobacco. My method is to fill
the house with tobacco-smoke three or four times ; this
should be done eveiy two or three days till the insects are
quite destroyed. Evening is the best time to do this. It
is also a good plan to mix some lime and sulphur toge-
ther, and rub it on the pipes in different parts of the house,

DISEASES OF PLANTS.

21

but taking care not to use too much ; and it should be used
only when the pipes are warm. There should be a good
supply of moisture at the same time, but not too much
heat. The green fly, which makes its appearance in spring
on the young flower-buds, may also be destroyed by tobacco-
smoke.

The brown and white scale and mealy-bug I keep
under by constantly sponging the leaves and bulbs with
water ; the white scale is very troublesome if not looked
after. Cattleyas are very subject to this ; the following
recipe for destroying these insects was given me by Mr.
Veitch of Exeter, who is a very successful grower of Or-
chids, viz. to one gallon of rain water add eight ounces of
soft soap, one ounce of tobacco, and three table-spoonsful
of turpentine ; stir well together, and leave the mixture for
forty-eight hours ; then strain it through a cloth : what
you have to spare must be bottled off. It is necessaiy to
rub the plants over two or three times, if they are much
infested, but once will be sufficient in most cases.

Diseases or Rot in Orchids.

Orchids are subjected to disease in their leaves and
bulbs, especially during the damp months of winter. The
rot, which is apt to assail the thick, fleshy bulbs, is caused
by too much moisture in the house ; sometimes the drip
from the glass will fall on the crowns of the bulb, and they
soon rot. Steam is also very bad in a house during the
winter, particularly to such plants as Cattleyas, Peristerias,
Odontoglossums, and any other Orchids that have fleshy
bulbs. When the rot takes the bulbs it should be seen to
at once, and may be easily stopped by cutting the diseased
part entirely away with a sharp knife. No portion of the
diseased or decayed bulb should be left ; the wound should
then be filled up with sulphur, keeping it dry. When the

22

ORCHIDS.

leaves begin to rot, the diseased part should be cut clean
away, and a little sulphur rubbed on the part that is cut,
but not so as to let the sulphur get to the roots of the
plants.

When any part of the fleshy bulb of the above-named
or similarly-formed bulbs becomes discoloured, and the dark
or discoloured part appears moist or wet, especially if any
fluid exudes from it on pressure, the wet or discoloured
part should be immediately cut out, or there is danger that
the bulb will be destroyed, as the rot is often much more
extensive within the bulb than the discoloured appear-
ances on the outside would seem to indicate. The plant
should also be removed to a drier and cooler place, and
water given with the utmost care.

Fropagation,

There are different modes of propagating the various
kinds of Orchids ; some are easily increased by dividing
them into pieces, or by cutting the old pseudo-bulbs from
the plants after the latter have done blooming : such
plants as Dendrobiums are increased in this way. The
best time for dividing the plants is just as they begin to
grow, or vrhen they are at rest ; they should be cut through
with a sharp knife between the pseudo-bulbs, being careful
not to harm the roots : each piece should have some roots
attached to it. After they are cut through they should be
parted, potted, and put into some shady part of the house,
without receiving much water at the roots till they have
begun to grow and make fresh ones, then they may have a
good supply. Dendrobium nohile, Fierardii, jndchellum,
meter ojjhyllum, Devoniamwi, and similar growing sorts, are
easily propagated. This is effected by bending the old
pseudo-bulbs round the basket or pots in which they are
gTo^^ing, or by cutting the old flowering bulbs away from

PROPAGATION.

23

the plant, and laying them on some damp moss, in a
shady and warm part of the house, with a good supply of
moistm'e. After they break and make roots they may be
potted or put in baskets. Such as D. Jenkinsii, D. aggre-
gatum, D. formosmn, D. sjoeciosum, D. densiflorum, and
similar growing sorts, are increased by dividing the plants.

Aerides, Yandas, Angrsecums, Saccolabiums, Cama-
rotis, Renantheras, and similar growing sorts, are all pro-
pagated by cutting the tops off the plant just below the
first root, or by taking the young growths from the bottom
of the plant. After they have formed roots, they should
be cut off with a sharp knife, and afterwards put on blocks
or in baskets with some sphagnum moss, and kept in a
warm and damp part of the house, without receiving much
water till they have begun to grow, when they may have a
good supply. Odontoglossums, Oncidiums, Zygopetalums,
Sobralias, Trichopilias, Stanhopeas, Schomburgkias, Peris-
terias, Mormodes, Miltonias, Lycastes, Leptotes, Lselias,
Galeandras, Epidendrums, Cyrtopodiums, Cyrtochilums,
Cymbidiums, Cycnoches, Coryanthes, Coelogyne, Cattleyas,
Calanthes, Brassias, Bletias, Barkerias, Aspasias, are all
propagated by dividing them into pieces, each having a
portion of the roots attached to it, and a young bulb on
the pseudo-bulb.

Phajus albus is very easily increased. The best way
is to cut the old pseudo-bulbs off after the young ones have
begun to flower, that is, just before the plant has made its
growth. The pseudo-bulbs should be cut into pieces about
six inches long, and then put into a pot in some silver
sand, with a bell-glass over them till they have struck
root ; they should then be potted in some fibrous peat, and
should have good drainage, and a good supply of water in
the growing season.

Some of the Epidendrums are easily propagated, such

ORCHIDS.

as cinndbarimm and crassifoUum ; these will form plants
on the tops of the old flower-stalks ; they should be left to
grow till they have made their growth, they should then
be cut off and potted, and they will soon make good plants.
Some Dendrobriums will also form plants on the tops of
the old pseudo-bulbs, and they should be treated in the
same way.

Mode of producing Back Breaks.

There are many of our Orchids that will keep on grow-
ing year after year, and yet produce only one flowering
bulb each year, but if the plants are cut they vdll produce
back breaks, increasing, and soon make fine specimens.
This is the way to produce such plants as are seen eveiy
year at the London Exhibitions. Some plants are more
easy to increase than others. The Cattleyas are of this
kind. When you have a plant that has back bulbs, if there
are about four, cut the plant in two between the bulbs, but
not to disturb the plant ; let the bulbs keep in the same
place. The best time to cut all Orchids is during their
season of rest, or just as they are beginning to grow. All
other Orchids that have bulbs should be treated in the
same way, if it be desirable to increase them.

On the Mode of making Baskets, and the best Wood for
that Purpose.

Blocks or baskets are most suitable for true air-plants,
such as Vandas, Saccolahiums, Aerides, AngrcBciuns, Pha-
IcBjiopsis, &c. ; when planted in baskets or on blocks, they
send out their roots much stronger into the ah, and suck
up the moisture, whereas, if their roots are covered too
much, they are veiy apt to rot. Various materials are
used for forming baskets ; some are made of copper wire,
which is very durable : but I prefer those made of wood,

BASKETS AND BLOCKS.

25

though they do not last so long. They look better, and
are more suitable for the roots of the plants to cling to.
The best kind of wood is maple or hazel, and the best
baskets those of a square shape. The wood should be cut
into such lengths as the size of the basket may require: but
do not make them too large ; there are two objections to
this — one is, that they take up much space ; the other, that
the plants do not require much room. After the wood is
cut into proper lengths, the pieces should be bored within
one inch from the ends, taking care to have all the holes
bored the same distance : there should be four lengths of
copper wire, one for each corner ; the wire should be put
through each piece of wood, and brought up to form the
handle for suspending the plants from the roofing. Iron
wire should never be used in making baskets, for it is pro-
bably injurious to the plants.

The best kinds of wood for blocks are acacia, apple,
pear, plum, or cork, if it can be obtained. The wood
should be cut into lengths, suitable for the size of the plants ;
get some nails, and drive one at each end with some copper
wire to form the handle, wind the wire round each nail,
and leave the handle about ten inches high. Small copper
nails are the best by which to fasten the plants on the
blocks.

26

OBCHIPS.

Orchids at present in Cultivation.

The following short and plain description of all the
best orchidaceous plants I have seen will, it is hoped,
prove sendceable to those who may be inclined to com-
mence the cultivation of this increasingly- attractive class
of plants, as well as to others who may have commenced
but have not completed their collections. A general ac-
coimt is given of the distinctive featm^es of each genus,
which is followed by a more particular description of each
species, together with an account of the mode of treatment,
which, after considerable experience, has been found best
adapted to each individual plant.

ACINETA.

This is a curious genus of plants. There are several
species, but only two that I have seen are worth grow-
ing. They produce their flowers from the bottom of the
basket. Both species are evergreen, with short bulbs, and
leaves about a foot high; they are of easy culture, and are
best grown in baskets with moss and peat. They require
a liberal supply of water at the roots during their period of
growth, afterwards less will suffice ; they will do in either
house suspended from the roof. They are propagated by
dividing the plant.

A. Barkerii. — A curious Orchid from Mexico, producing
from the bottom of the basket its spikes of yellow flowers,
each about a foot in length, which if kept dry will last a
long time in perfection. It blooms during the summer.

ACINETA AEEIDES.

27

A. Humholdtii. — A strong-growing species from La
Guayra. Flowers in the same way as Barkerii, but about
a month earlier ; the long spikes of flowers are of a deep
chocolate colour, spotted with crimson. It lasts only a
short time in perfection.

In order that the flowers in this class, as in all others,
may be preserved in bloom, care should be taken not to
wet them while watering the plants.

AERIDES.

Aerides are among the most beautiful of Orchids, many
of them uniting every good quality that a plant can
possess, — rich, evergreen, and regularly-curved foliage, — a
graceful habit, — flowers of peculiar elegance. Even when
not in bloom the plants themselves are interesting objects,
and give a sort of tropical character to the collections
in w^hich they are found. The stem of the plants is straight
or slightly bent, with leaves attached on opposite sides,
and the plant is nourished by large fleshy roots, shc>oting
out horizontally from the lower part of the stem. The
flowers, which are rich and waxy, proceed from the axils
of the leaves, and extend in delicate racemes one or two
feet in length, while their fragrance is so abundant as to
fill the house in which they grow with grateful perfume.

These plants are of easy culture, and if properly at-
tended to are seldom out of order. They are found in the
hottest parts of India and other warm countries, growing
on the branches of trees, generally on such as overhang
streams of water ; and to grow them in anything like per-
fection, the climate in which they grow wild must be imi-
tated as nearly as possible. I find they succeed best with
a good supply of heat and moisture in their growing season,
which is from about March to the latter end of October,

28

OKCHIDS.

During this time I keep the temperature, by day, from 70°
to 75°. It may be allowed to rise to 80° and 85°, oiieven
higher will not do any harm, provided the house is shaded
from the rays of the sun. The night temperature should
range from 65° to 70° in March and April, and after-
wards it may rise five degrees higher.

I grow the Aerides in baskets made of wood, but they
may be grown in pots, — a mode of culture successfully
followed in the fine collections of these plants belonging
to J. H. Schroder, Esq. of Stratford. Sphagnum moss
and broken potsherds have proved the best materials
for filling the baskets. They require frequent watering
at the roots in the growing season ; indeed they should
never be allowed to become dry, not even during their
season of rest, as they are liable to shrivel and lose
their bottom leaves. The Aerides require but little re-
pose, and the moss should always be kept damp ; but
during the dull months of winter no w^ater should be
allowed to lodge on the leaves or heart of the plant, as
it w^ould be very apt to rot them. The plants should be
suspended from the roof, but not very near the glass, lest
they should be aff'ected by the cold ; and they should be
kept perfectly free from insects, especially the difi'erent
kinds of scale. There is a small kind which is apt to
infest them, and which, if allow^ed to get ahead, will make
the plants look yellow and unhealthy. It may be kept
under by constantly w^ashing with rain-water and a sponge.
These plants are propagated by cutting them into pieces,
with roots attached to each piece. Some kinds, how^ever,
are shy in throwing up young shoots, and this makes these
sorts very scarce. The Ae. odoratum tribe are the most
easy to increase, and Ae, cnspum sends out roots more
freely than some others. If the plants ever get into an
unhealthy condition, the best way is to cut them to pieces

AERIDES.

29

and give them fresh moss, with plenty of water at the
roots.

Ae. ciffine. — A handsome, free-flowering, but slow-
growing Orchid, from India, with light green foliage a foot
long, and pink and purple flowers, blooming in June and
Julj, and lasting three or fom* weeks in perfection. We
have a plant of this species about a foot high, which pro-
duces every year four spikes of bloom, two feet long, with
three or four branches on each spike. This makes a fine
show-plant for June or July.

Ae. crispum. — A truly beautiful free-growing Orchid,
from India, with purple-coloured stem, dark green foliage,
ten inches long; the blossoms, which are abundant, are
white tipped with pink. Flowers in June or July, and
lasts two or three weeks in good condition. The spikes
of flowers are long, and very distinct from any of the other
kinds.

Ae. crispum pallidum, — A variety of Ae. crispum, grows
to about the same height, and flowers at the same time.
The blossoms are of a lighter colour.

Ae. Larpentce. — A fine Indian free-growing plant, with
dark green leaves, ten inches long. The flowers are nume-
rous on a single spike. It blooms in June, and lasts two
weeks in perfection. This is a rare and distinct plant, and
was first flowered by Mr. lies, then gardener to Lady Lar-
pent, and shown at the Regent's Park Exhibition in 1847,
when it received the first piize as a new plant.

Ae, maculosum. — A lovely dwarf Orchid from Bombay,
with dark green leaves, eight inches long, close and com-
pact, stifi* growing, with light-coloured flowers, spotted all
over with purple, and a large purple blotch on the lip.
Blooms in June and July, and if the flowers are kept dry,
last four weeks in perfection. We have a plant of this
species a foot high, which produces three spikes every year,

30

OBCHIDS.

with more than thirty blooms on each spike : the colour of
the bloom is very striking.

Ae. maculosum, var. Schroderii. — A magnificent free-
growing plant from the hills near Bombay, much stronger
than Ae. maculosum, and more in the way of Ae, crisj)um,
mth dark green foliage, ten inches long; the flowers are
very delicate, the sepals and petals almost alike ; white,
tinged with lilac and spotted with rose ; the labellum a
beautiful rose colour. It flowers in June or July, lasts
three weeks in perfection. This was first flowered by Mr.
Plant, then gardener to J. H. Schroder, Esq., of Stratford.
It is supposed that there are only four plants in this coun-
try, and these were cut from the parent plant.

Ae, odoratum. — A good, old, free-growing species from
India, one of the most abundantly flowering of this genus,
having light green foliage, blooming in June or July, and
remaining two weeks in good condition. The blossoms are
white stained with pink. We have a specimen five feet high
and four feet in diameter, which produces thirty or forty
spikes of bloom every year, and is altogether a noble plant.

Ae. odoratum, var. major. — Like the preceding in
growth, and difi'ering only in the larger size and longer
spikes of flowers. There is another variety of odoratum,
called Pwyurescens, the flowers of which are of a much
darker pink colour and the leaves broader. This is a
desirable plant, and is rather scarce.

Ae. quinquevidnerum, — A splendid free-flowering Orchid
from Manilla, with light green foliage, about one foot
long : less compact than many other species. Sepals
and petals white, spotted with purple ; the top of the lip
is green, the sides are pink, and the middle is of a deep
crimson : it blooms in July or August, and lasts two or
three weeks in bloom. There are two varieties ; one has
much lighter coloured flowers than the other. A fine

AERIDES — AGANISIA.

31

specimen of the best variety, which I saw at Messrs.
Rollisson's, Tooting, in 1851, had five spikes of bloom
upon it.

Ae. roseiim. — A beautiful dwarf- plant from India;
leaves a foot long, spotted with brown. A slow-growing
species, bearing rose-coloured flowers in June and July.
This plant, which does not root freely, requires less
moisture than any of the other kinds.

Ae. suarissiyna. — A distinct and desirable species, of
free growth, with light green foliage spotted with smaU
brown spots, ten inches long. The sepals and petals are
white, and the lip has a blotch of yellow in the centre
edged with white. Blooms in July, August, and Sep-
tember, and lasts in good condition three weeks. We
flowered two varieties of this species, one of which was
much better than the other, having pink spots on the end
of each petal, which makes a more showy flower.

Ae. virens. — A lovely plant from Java, with light
green foliage, eight inches long ; the flowers are of a light
peach colour, spotted with purple ; the lip is spotted with
crimson ; blooms in May and June ; the flowers remain
long in perfection. A scarce and desirable species.

AGANISIA.

Aganisia pulcJiella. — A pretty dwarf Orchid from De-
merara, eight inches high, the only species of this genus
that I know ; produces from the bottom of the bulb a
spike of flowers, which are white, with a blotch of yellow
in the centre of the lip. It blows at difl'erent times of the
year, lasts two or three weeks in perfection, and is best
grown in a pot, with peat and good drainage. It requires
a liberal supply of water at the roots, and the hottest house.
It is a very scarce plant, and is propagated by dividing the
bulbs.

32

ORCHIDS.

ANGR.ECUMS.

There are several species of this genus, but I know
of only three which are showy, and which ought to be in
every collection. They grow in the same manner and
require the same treatment as the Aerides, and are pro-
pagated by the same means They are evergreen.

Ang. hilohum. — This is an elegant little Orchid from
the Cape Coast, with dark green leaves and very compact
growth. The blossoms are w^hite, with a small tail about two
inches long, which proceeds from the flower. It blossoms
from October to December, lasts two or three weeks in good
condition. I have grown this plant on a block, but find it
does best in a basket, where the roots obtain more moisture.

Aug. caudatum. — A curious and beautiful free-flower-
ing species from Sierra Leone, with light green foliage,
ten inches long ; a very compact grower, with racemes of
flowers of a foot or more in length, which are of a gTeenish
yellow, mixed ^nth brown ; the labellum is pure white,
from which proceeds a tail about nine inches long, of a
pale green colour. Sometimes there are twelve or more
of these curious flowers on a spike. It blossoms from
June to September, and lasts in perfection a long time.
This has always been a rare plant, but a recent importation
has made it a little more plentiful.

Ang. ehurenum. — A magnificent free-flowering Orchid
from Madagascar, strong growing, with light green leaves
eighteen inches long ; the blossoms are of a greenish white,
and the lip of pure white like ivoiy. It produces flowers
in abundance from February to March. A noble specimen
of this species, which I saw at Messrs. Rollisson's, Tooting,
was two feet high, showing eight spikes of bloom. It is a
beautiful object when in flower, as well as a very rai'e and
distinct species.

ANGULOA.

33

ANGULOA.

Tliere are only four of tins genus that I can recommend.
The flowers are large and beautiful. They are fine plants
for exhibition, especially A. Clowesii ; the colour is dif-
ferent from that of many of our Orchids, which makes it
valuable. The bulbs are large, about three inches high,
vath broad flag-shaped leaves a foot or more long ; they all
produce their flowers, which are about six inches high, from
the base of the bulbs. These are best grown in pots, with
rough fibrous peat, good drainage, and plenty of heat and
moisture in the growing season. The East India house
is the most suitable place for them during their season of
growth ; afterwards they may be moved to a cooler place.
They ought to have a good season of rest, and during this
time they should be kept rather dry, till they begin to
show signs of growth, when they must be treated as
already recommended. They are propagated by dividing
the bulbs just before they begin to grow.

A7i, Clowesiana. — A charming and free-growuig species
from Columbia ; sepals and petals bright yellow ; lip pure
white. Blooms in June and July ; lasts long in perfection
if kept in a cool house. A scarce plant.

An. Euckerii. — A handsome Orchid, from the same
country as the former, and flowering at the same time.
The sepals and petals rich brownish orange, hp greenish
yellow : lasts two or three weeks in good condition. Also
a rare plant.

An. uniflora.—A good species from Columbia, flowers
freely ; the blossoms are white, and are produced in June
and July, lasting two or three weeks in flower.

An. uniflora, var. — A spotted variety of the former, but
much handsomer ; the blossoms are white, spotted all over
with dark brown. Flowers at the same time as uniflora.

D

34

OECHIDS.

ANSELLIA.

Ansellia Africana. — A noble free-flowering Orcliid,
growing three or four feet high ; the flowers proceed from
the top of the bulb, with sixty or seventy flowers on a
spike. They are of a pale yellow colour, spotted all over
with dark bro^vn ; the lip yellow. This is a fine plant for
w^inter blooming, and remains in perfection a long time if
kept in a cool house. We had a plant of this in a cool
house, of from 45° to 50^, which began to open its flowers
early in the beginning of February, and continued in blos-
som till the latter end of May. This plant is of easy cul-
tivation, requiring the heat of the East India house, and
being best grown in a pot of large size, with peat and good
drainage. The roots should be well watered about two or
three times a- week ; but be careful not to wet the young
growth, as this is apt to cause them to rot. This Orchid
was found by a gardener, the late John Ansell, in Africa,
at the bottom of a palm-tree. It is the only one of the
genus that is known ; it is rather a scarce plant, and is
propagated by dividing the bulbs after it has finished its
growth.

BAKKERIAS.

These plants are deciduous, losing their leaves during
their season of rest ; they are small- growing, but free in
producing flowers, which are both rich and delicate in
colour. These plants merit a place in every collection.
I have seen only four species. There is one called Bar-
keria elegans, but I believe it is lost to the countiy.
The Barkerias are compact-growing, with upright slender
bulbs, from the top of which the numerous flower-stems
are produced. These plants are best grown on blocks of
wood of a flat shape, so that the plants can be tied on the

BARKEEIAS.

36

top without any moss. They send out their thick fleshy
roots very freely, and will soon cling to the blocks. They
require to be grown in a cool house, where they can receive
air every day during their season of growth. The Mexican
house will be the most suitable place for them, but during
then' season of growth they require a good supply of water.
Twice a-day in summer will not be too much for them;
but during their season of rest veiy little water will suffice,
— only enough to keep their bulbs from shrivelling, about
two or three times a-week. They should be suspended
from the roof, near the glass, where they can receive plenty
of light, but not too much sun.

Barkeria melanocaulon. — A pretty and free-flowering
Orchid from Costa Eica; the sepals and petals are lilac
pink, the labellum with a spot of green in the centre. It
produces its blossoms on an upright spike from June to
September, and will continue in perfection a long time.
A. very rare and desirable species.

B. Liiidleyana. — From the same country. The flowers
are produced on a long spike, and are of a rich purple
colour, with a blotch of white in the centre of the lip ;
blooms in September and October, and lasts long in good
condition. A scarce plant.

B. Skinnerii. — A beautiful free-flowering Orchid from
Guatemala, with deep rose-coloured blossoms, which are
produced on a spike sometimes tw^o feet long, with as
many as twenty to thirty flowers on each spike. It will
continue in flower from November to February. A valuable
Orchid for winter blooming.

B. spectabilis. — A charming species, from the same
country as Skinnerii, the flowers of which proceed from
the top of the bulb, on a spike bearing eight ar ten flowers
of a rosy pink, or blush, dotted with deep crimson. It
blooms in June and July, and lasts three or four weeks in

36

ORCHIDS.

perfection, if kept in a cool house. This makes a splendid
plant for exhibition. I have seen specimens at the Chis-
wick and the Eegent s Park shows ^\ith as many as ten
spikes on one single plant. A veiy distinct and desh'able
Orchid.

BLETIAS.

These ai^e teiTestrial Orchids. There are several species
of this genus, but there are only a few that are worth
gi'owing. They are of easy cultui^e, and may be grown in
any warm house, so long as the frost is kept from them ;
the bulbs are round and flat, from which proceeds long
narrow leaves. They are deciduous. The best material
for growing them in is loam and leaf-mould mixed together,
with about two inches of drainage in the bottom of the
pot, covered with a layer of moss or rough peat ; then fill
the pot with the mould to within an inch of the top, place
the bulbs on the top of the mould, and cover them over.
They require a good supply of water in the growing season,
but not much heat. After their growth is finished, give
them a good season of rest ; and they should be kept rather
dry till they begin to grow.

Bl. campamdata , from Pern ; the blossoms are of a
deep purple, with a white centre ; flowers at different
times of the year, and lasts long in perfection.

Bl. Slieplierdii, from Jamaica ; the flowers are purple,
marked down the centre with yellow ; blooms dming the
winter months on a long spike, which keeps in perfection
three or fom" weeks.

Bl. jMtula, from the same place as the last, produces
its dark puq^le flowei^, which last three or four weeks, on
a long spike in March or Apiil. These plants requu^e to
be well gro^vn to make them flower. We have a fine
specimen of tliis species, which produces eight spikes of

BOLBOPHYLLUM BEASSAVOLA.

37

bloom ; the coloui' is distinct from many of our Orchids,
and the flowers produce a good effect in a house. These
plants are not thought much of by many Orchid-gro^Yers,
but I think they are worth the care that is bestow^ed upon
them on account of their colour.

BOLBOPHYLLUM.

There are several species of this genus, but only one
that is worth growing, Henshallii ; the flowers of the others
are curious, particularly the labellum, on which the least
breath of air or the slightest motion causes a tremulous or
dancing movement. They are chiefly valued as curiosities,
require but very little room, and thrive best on small blocks
of wood with a little moss suspended in a warm part of
the house ; the roots require a good supply of water. They
are propagated by dividing the bulb.

Bolhophyllmn harhigerum, from Sierra Leone : a curious
dwarf species, sepals and petals greenish brown ; the lip
is covered with dark-coloured hair. It lasts long in bloom.

Bol, Henshallii, from Java, introduced by Messrs. Yeitch
of Exeter and Messrs. Rollisson of Tooting ; the flowers are
large, the sepals deep yellow, the upper part marked with
purple and spotted. It produces its solitary flowers during
the summer months, and lasts long in beauty.

Bol. saltatorium. — A curious dwarf Orchid from Africa,
of a greenish brown colour, blooms at different times of
the year, and lasts some time in perfection.

BRASSAYOLA.

There are several species of this genus, but only two
that are showy and worth growing. They are of easy
culture, and grow best in a little moss on blocks of wood
suspended from the roof. They require a liberal quantity

38

OECHIDS.

of water during the growing season, but afterwards they
need watering less frequently. They are best gi'own in
the wannest house, and are propagated by dividing the
plants.

Brassavola Dighyana. — A fine compact evergreen
species from the West Indies. The plant is about six
inches high, the sepals and petals of the flower are white ;
lip the same, streaked with purple down the centre. It
-produces its solitary flowers during the winter months
from the top of the bulb, lasts about two or three weeks
in bloom, and is a very rare plant.

Bra. glaitca. — A desirable compact evergreen Orchid
from Mexico ; its blossoms are creamy white, with a pink
mark on the upper part of the lip. It blooms in February
or March, and lasts two or three weeks in perfection.
This is rather difficult to flower in some collections, but
it does every year at this place, producing one large flower
from a sheath at the top of the bulb.

BRASSIAS.

These are not thought much of by many Orchid-growers,
but there are a few kinds that may be recommended. They
are rather large-growing plants, of easy culture, and will do
either in the East India or a cooler house ; the flowers are
produced from the side of the bulbs on a long drooping
spike : they are all evergreen, with good foliage, each leaf
being a foot or more in length. They are best grown in
pots, with rough fibrous peat and good drainage, and re-
quire a Hberal supply of water at the roots in the gi'owing
season ; afterwards just enough water to keep their bulbs
plump will suffice, for they should never be allowed to
shrivel. They are propagated by dividing tlie plants when
they begin to grow.

Brassia Lanceana. — A free-flowering Orchid from De-

BEASSIAS BBOUGHTONIA.

89

merara, blooming at different times of the year, and bearing
yellow blossoms spotted with brown, which last three weeks
in perfection. There are two varieties of this plant, one
much better than the other, having larger and brighter
coloured flowers. It makes a good show-plant. I have
shown a single plant with twenty spikes in full bloom, each
about two feet long.

Br. Laivrenciana, from Demerara, blooming abundantly
from June to August ; the colour of the flower is yellow
and green spotted with brown, and lasting three or four
wrecks in good condition if kept dry.

B7\ maculata, major, from Jamaica. A free-flowering
Orchid, sepals and petals greenish yellow spotted with
brown ; lip white spotted with dark brown ; flowers in May
and June, lasts five weeks in bloom if kept in a cool house.

Br. verrucosa. — A curious species from Mexico ; the
upper part of the flowers is of a pale green ; the lip white,
marked with green warts. It blossoms abundantly in May
and June.

Br. WraycB. — A very good species from Guatemala,
producing its flowers on spikes two or three feet long ;
sepals and petals are yellowish green, blotched with brown ;
the lip is broad and yellow, spotted with brown ; blooms from
May to August, and continues flowering for two months.
This is a good plant for exhibition, on account of its colour.

BROUGHTONIA.

Broughtonia sanguinea, from Jamaica ; the only one of
the genus that I have seen cultivated. A very compact
evergreen growing plant, which succeeds best on a block
of wood, with a little moss, suspended from the roof. It
requires a good supply of heat and moisture in the growing
season, and produces its spikes of crimson flowers from the
top of the bulb, during the summer months, lasting a Ion

40

OECHIDS.

time in good condition. This plant ought to be in every
collection, on account of the distinct colour of its flowers.
It is propagated by dividing the plant.

BURLINGTONIA.

There are some beautiful species of this genus ; they
are very compact in growth, with beautiful evergreen
foliage, from four to sLx inches high. They produce their
delicately-coloured flowers on drooping spikes, shooting
from the sides of their bulbs. These plants ought to be
in every collection, however small, as they require but very
little room, and may be easily grown in perfection. I find
them thrive best in baskets with sphagnum moss and
potsherd, and a good supply of heat and moisture while
growing. They require but little rest, and should never
be suffered to get too dry at the roots : they are propa-
gated by dividing the plant. The following are among the
best kinds of this beautiful class of plants with which I
am acquainted.

Burlingtonia Candida. — A pretty dwarf-growing species
from Demerara, very scarce : the coloin- is white ; it blooms
in June or July : lasts two or three weeks in flower.

Burl, f ragrans. — A charming Orchid from Brazil, also
scarce. The white and pink flowers are produced on a
spike in April and May, and last three or four weeks in
beauty, if kept free from damp.

Burl. Knowlesii. — A beautiful new species, somewhat
similar in habit to venusta, very dwarf and compact.
The flowers are white, in long racemes, slightly tinged
with a pinky lilac. It blooms during the autumn, and con-
tinues in perfection a long time. A scarce Orchid.

Burl, veniista. — A very good species from Brazil, the
blossoms being white. It blooms at different times of the

CALANTHE.

41

year ; lasts two or three weeks in good condition. Messrs.
Rollisson, of Tooting, have a fine stock of this species.

CALANTHE.

There are some beautiful species of this class of plants,
which are great favourites, and ought to be in every col-
lection. They are of easy culture, having handsome ever-
green fohage, except vestita, which is deciduous, losing its
leaves during the season of rest. All their flowers are
striking, and generally attractive. Most of them are rather
large, upright-growing plants, some of the leaves being a
foot and a half long and six inches broad. Their long
spikes of flowers rise from the bulbs, and come up between
the leaves. They generally make their growth after the
flowers have faded. These are terrestrial Orchids, and are
best grown in pots of a large size, with loam, leaf-mould,
and rotten dung, mixed together. When they are planted,
two inches of drainage should be put at the bottom of the
pot, then a layer of moss on rough peat ; after which the
pot should be filled up with the mould, and the plant left
about level with the rim. These plants are best grown in
the Indian house, and require well watering at the roots in
their growing season, so that the mould is never allowed to
get dry. They require but little rest; and during that
time not so much water, only enough to keep the soil
slightly damp. These plants are very much subject to the
brown and white scale, which should be diligently sought ;
for, if allowed to accumulate, the plants will not thrive :
they are propagated by dividing the plant. The following
are the most beautiful of this class. There are several
others; but as many of them are not worth growing, I
notice only those that are good.

Calantlie furcata. — A showy Orchid from India, which
is very free in producing its spikes of white flowers, three

42

OKCHIDS.

feet long, and lasting in perfection six weeks ; it flowers in
June, July, and August, and is a good plant for exhibitions.

Cat. masiica, — A scarce, but magnificent, and free-flow-
ering Orchid from India, producing its flowers on a spike
two feet long ; sepals and petals deep violet colour, with a
rich purple lip ; it blooms in June, July, and August, and
lasts six weeks in perfection. This is a charming plant
for exhibition, the colour being very distinct. We had a
specimen of this, with eight spikes of its beautifully-coloured
flowers, at the Chiswick show in 1851.

Cal. veratrifolia, — A noble species from India; its
spikes of flowers, which are of a delicate white, frequently
attain the height of two or three feet ; it blooms freely from
May to July, and will continue blooming for two months.
The flowers should be kept free from damp ; if they get wet
they are apt to become spotted. This also makes one of
the finest exhibition plants we have ; it is a very old plant,
but no collection ought to be without it.

Cal. vestita. — A charming free-flowering Orchid from
Moulmein, deciduous, and producing from October to Fe-
bruary its long drooping flower-spikes, which have a white,
downy covering, and rise from the base of its finely-formed
and silvery-green bulbs when the latter are destitute of
leaves. The sepals and petals of the flower are of a de-
licate white ; the lip is the same, with a blotch of rich
crimson in the centre. There is a variety of this with a
blotch of yellow in the centre of the lip ; the flowers of
the latter are nearly equal to the former, and are produced
in the same way. No collection ought to be without both
varieties. They are fine plants for winter blooming, the
flowers being two inches across. We have a plant of this
fine species with four spikes, which frequently produces
from twenty to thirty flowers on each spike, and continues
in perfection for three months.

CAMAROTIS — CATTLEYAS.

43

CAMAEOTIS.

Camarotis purpurea. — A beautiful upright- growing Or-
chid, with leaves three inches long throughout the whole
length of the stem. It produces its flower- spikes, which
are about eight inches long, from the side of the stem ; the
blossoms are rose coloured, and appear from March to
May, lasting two or three weeks in beauty. This plant
requires care to grow it well ; it may be planted either in
a pot or basket with moss, and requires a good supply of
heat and moisture over the roots and leaves during the
period of growth, but needs very little rest, and should
never be allowed to shrivel. The East India house is the
most suitable place for it. A fine specimen of this species
was shown at the Chiswick and Regent's Park exhibitions
in 1850. This single plant, on which there were more
than 100 spikes of flowers, was grown by Mr. Basset, gar-
dener to R. S. Holford, Esq., Tetbury, in Gloucestershire.

CATTLEYAS

rank among our finest Orchids ; they are general fa-
vourites, and there can be little doubt that, as the simple
mode of treatment which they require, and the ease with
which they may be brought to a high state of perfection
becomes better understood, they will be extensively culti-
vated. Many of the bulbs are singular and agreeable in
form ; and the dark evergreen foliage of the plants when
in a healthy condition, together with their compact habit
of growth, render them peculiarly attractive. Some of
the sorts have only a single leaf at the top of each bulb ;
others, as C. Skinnerii and C. intermedia, have two, and
(7. granulosa and C. Leopoldiana have three : the flowers
are large, elegant in form, and scarcely surpassed in their

44

ORCHIDS.

brilliant richness and depth of colours ; the most frequent
of ^vhich are ^aolet, rose colour, crimson, and pui-ple, with
their intermediate shades. The flower-scape, which is in-
closed in a sheath, rises from the top of the bulb, and a
single spike sometimes contains as many as nine perfect
flow^ers. As soon as the flowering is over, the Cattleyas
generally begin to make their growth for the next season ;
but some of them, as C. Walkeriana, C. violacea, and (7.
superha, flower wiiile making their growth. In the cultiva-
tion of Cattleyas I have found them thrive best in pots,
with the exception of C, Walkeriana, C. marginata, and
C. citrina, which grow best on blocks with a small quantity
of moss. If room be not abundant, all the kinds may be
grown on blocks, but they will require more attention, and
seldom thrive so well as in pots. They require a good
depth of drainage. I generally fill the pot about half full
of potsherds, which I cover with a layer of moss, and then
fiU up the remaining space with peat, taking care always to
have the plants elevated above the rim of the pot.

I grow all the Cattleyas, excepting C. citrina, in the
East India house, and am accustomed to give them a good
supply of heat, and not too much water, while they are
growing. Water applied to the roots once or twice a-week
will be sufficient for those in most vigorous state of growth :
too much water is apt to cause the bulbs to rot. So long
as the soil remains moist no water is required ; and when
the soil becomes dry, water should be applied to the roots,
not to the bulbs, as it is apt to injure them greatly. When
the plants have made their growth they should be allowed
to rest, and be kept rather dry, giving them just water suf-
ficient to prevent their shrivelling.

A long season of rest is very advantageous to the
plants, causing them to flower more freely and grow more
vigorously afterwards. Those plants growing on blocks will

CATTLEYAS.

45

require a good supply of water at their roots every day
during summer, and twice or three times a-week in winter.

Cattleyas require to be kept perfectly clean and free
from insects. They are subject to the white scale, which
should never be allowed to accumulate, as it is then dif-
ficult to remove, and the plants are in danger of being de-
stroyed. In order to keep the plants free they should be
carefully looked over every three or four weeks, and sponged
with clean water of the same temperature as the house.
They are propagated by dividing the plants.

The following list comprises the most beautiful and va-
luable species of this splendid genus ; and the collection in
which they are found will seldom, if ever, be without one
or more of the sorts in flower.

Cat. AclandicB. — A charming Orchid from Brazil, of a
dwarf habit, seldom being above six inches high. It is a
very shy-blooming plant ; but its large chocolate-coloured
flow^ers are variegated with yellow, and have a rich rose-
coloured lip. It flowers in June and July, and remains
long in perfection. A very scarce plant.

Cat, Amethystina, — I have not seen this species, but
have heard it spoken of as an exceedingly attractive and
desirable plant.

Cat, hicolor. — A beautiful and free - flowering Orchid
from Brazil ; sepals and petals pale green, with a rich
purple lip. It blooms in September, and remains a long
time in perfection. It produces as many as eight or ten
flowers on a spike. This is a strong grower, rising eighteen
inches or two feet high.

Cat. Candida. — A desirable free-growing species from
Brazil, about a foot high ; sepals and petals are of a deli-
cate white, slightly shaded with pink : the lip is of the
same colour, with a shade of yellow in the centre. It
flowers from July to November, and lasts three or four
weeks in good condition, if the flowers are kept free from

46

ORCHIDS.

damp. This plant makes two growths in a year, and
blooms from both, producing three or four flowers on a
spike.

Cat. citrina. — A beautiful dwarf- plant from Mexico,
with bright yellow flowers, one or two together, and large
for the size of the plant ; blooms from May to August, and
lasts two weeks in perfection. This is best grown on a
block of wood, and the plant should be tied to the block
with the leaves hanging downwards, as it is found growing
beneath the branches of trees in its native country. I
always grow this in the coolest house.

Cat. crispa. — A splendid free -growing Orchid from
Brazil, about a foot and a half high ; it flowers in July and
August : the blossoms are pure white, with a rich crimson
stain in the middle of the lip. A single spike frequently
produces four or five flowers, which continue in perfection
for two weeks. This is a fine plant for exhibition in July.
The colour of the flowers is remarkably attractive, and
always produces a good effect in a collection. We have a
splendid plant, that produces fifty or sixty blooms every
year.

Cat. elegans. — A most beautiful species ; sepals and
petals pale purple, suflused with cinnamon brown ; labellum
(form of Cat. Loddigesii), of the most brilliant purplB ;
flowers in clusters after the manner of granulosa. This
beautiful species was imported by Messrs. James Back-
house and Son of York.

Cat. granulosa, from Brazil. — A free-gromng species,
producing large olive- coloured flowers, with rich, brown
spots ; the lip is whitish, spotted with crimson. It blooms
in August and September, and remains long in perfection.
This species is not so good as many of the Cattleyas ; but
where there is room it is w^orth growing, for its distinct
colours.

Cat. granulosa Leopoldiana, — ^A new Orchid, in the way

CATTLEYAS.

47

of granulosa and guttata ; a free-flowering plant : it blooms
in July, and lasts two or three weeks in beauty. A very
rare plant.

Cat. guttata, from Brazil, is a free-growing Orchid,
about twenty inches high. The flowers are of a greenish
yellow, beautifully spotted mth crimson ; the lip is white,
stained with purple. This plant, when well grown, will
produce as many as nine or ten flowers on a spike. It
blooms in October and November, lasts two weeks in
bloom, and is a very distinct species.

Cat, HarrisonicB, from Brazil. — A free-growing Or-
chid, attaining the height of twenty inches ; blooms in
abundance from July to October ; the flowers will last in
good condition three weeks : the blossoms are of a beauti-
ful rose colour, having on the lip a slight tinge of yellow.
This is a noble plant, and amply repays the care required
to grow it well. A fine specimen of C. HarrisonicB, grown
by Mr. WooUey, gardener to H. Bellenden Ker, Esq.,
Cheshunt, and having more than fifty flowers opened at
once, was shown at the Regent's Park Exhibition in 1851.

Cat. intermedia violacea. — A beautiful Orchid from
Brazil ; a free grower, and about a foot high. Sepals and
petals are delicate rose colour, and the lip has a rich
purple spot in the centre. It blooms in May and June,
and lasts three or four weeks in good perfection, if kept in
a cool place. This species frequently produces as many
as nine flowers on a spike, and makes a fine plant for the
May and June shows. We exhibited one with thirty
blossoms at the Chiswick Flower-show, in 1851. There
are three varieties of C. intermedia, but violacea is the best.

Cat. lahiata. — One of the best of the Cattleyas ; comes
from Brazil, is a free-blooming species, and grows about
twenty inches high. The flowers are rose coloured, with a
rich crimson lip. It flowers in October and November,
and will continue in perfection three or four weeks. The

48

OKCHIDS.

flowers are very large, often five inclies across, with three
or four on a spike. The finest specimen I ever saw is in
the superb collection of R. Hanbuiy, Esq., Pole's Gardens,
near Ware. The plant is cultivated in a large tub, about
tw^o feet across. This superb Cattleya was first flowered
by the late Mr. Cattley, of Barnet, in honour of ^vhoni the
genus is named.

Cat, Lodcligesii, from Brazil, gi^ows a foot or more high ;
a free-flow^ering species ; sepals and petals of a pale rose
colom% tinged with lilac ; the lip is a light rose, marked
with yellow. It blooms in August and September, and
remains long in perfection, producing three or four flowers
on a spike, and is a desirable species.

Cat. marginata. — A handsome dwarf- plant from Bra-
zil, about six inches high : sepals and petals rosy crim-
son ; lip deep rose, margined with white : it produces its
bloom in September and October, and lasts three weeks in
perfection. The flow^ers are large and solitary. It is a
very desu^able plant, and ought to be in every collection,
how^ever small, as it requires but very little room. It grows
the best on a block of w^ood, with a little sphagnum moss
suspended from the roof of the house, with a good supply
of water at the root, in the growing season. It has always
been a rare plant, but Messrs. Rollisson, of Tooting, having
imported a recent supply, have some fine plants of it in good
condition.

Cat, MossicB. — This magnificent and free-flowering Or-
chid is from La Guayra. It grows a foot or more high,
blooms from March to August. The flow^ers are very
lai^ge, a single one being four or five inches across, and
three or four growing on one spike. There are three
or four varieties of this plant, with blossoms of every
shade of colour, from pale pink to rose purple. This
species makes a noble plant for exhibition. I have seen
specimens of Cattleya Mossice at theChiswick.and Regent's

CATTLE Y AS.

Park shows, with thirty or forty flowers upon a single plant.
The flowers will remain in perfection for three or four
weeks, if kept in a cool place.

Cat. pmnila. — A charming species from Brazil, about
six inches high. It flowers in September : the blossoms
are rose coloured, with a crisped lip of a crimson colour,
often edged with white. It remains three or four weeks in
perfection.

Cat. Skmnerii. — A beautiful and free-flowering plant
from Guatemala, grows about a foot high, and blooms in
March, April, and May : the blossoms are rose-pui^le,
which remain three weeks in perfection, if the flowers are
kept dry. This fine species of Cattleya, when grown
strong, will produce as many as nine or ten flowers on a
spike. It is one of the finest Orchids that can be grown
for any of the exhibitions in May, the colour being distinct,
and different from any of the other Cattleyas.

Cat, su^erha, — This truly beautiful plant comes from
Guyana. It is a slow-growing species, and usually ten
inches high. It flowers in June and July. The blossoms,
which are of a deep rose coloar, with a rich crimson lip, will
remain in bloom three weeks : it produces three or four
flowers on a spike, and is a very rare and distinct species.

Cat. violacea. — A handsome, free-flowering species from
Brazil, which grows about twenty inches high. It pro-
duces flowers in abundance, from July to September : the
flow^ers last in perfection three weeks : the blossoms are of
a beautiful, deep violet-rose colour, and frequently present
four or five flowers on a spike. This plant makes two
growths in one year, and blooms from both. It is a fine
exhibition plant for the late shows in July.

Cat, Walkeriana, formerly hulbosa. — A truly elegant
dwarf species from Brazil, about four inches high, with
large, light, rose-coloured flowers ; the lip, which is a richer

E

50 OECHIDS.

rose than the other part, having a slight tinge of yel-
low : generally two flowers on a spike, five inches across.
It blooms twice a-year, February and June : on the young
growth the blossoms last four or five weeks in beauty,
which is longer than those of any other Cattleya : it is also
sweet-scented, and ^vill fill the house with perfume. I
always grow this plant on a block of wood, surrounded by
a little sphagnum moss, and suspended from the roof in a
place where there is plenty of light, but not too much sun.
We had the pleasure of first blooming this new and splen-
did Orchid, which was figured in the first number of
Paxton's Flower Gardener," March 1st, 1850.

CHYSIS.

This is a beautiful, though limited, class of plants,
there being only thi'ee of this genus that I am acquainted
with. They are deciduous, losing the leaves during their
season of rest. The bulbs are thick and fleshy, and about
a foot long, producing their flowers T\ith the young
grovth : these will do on blocks of wood, but grow much
finer in baskets, with peat, moss, and potsherds. They
require a liberal supply of heat and moisture in their grow-
fng season, but after they have finished their growth should
be moved into a cooler house till they begin to grow; then
they may be taken back to the India house. Dming their
season of rest they require but very little water, and are
propagated by dividing the plants just as they begin to grow.

Chysis aurea. — A charming Orchid from Venezuela,
producing its flowers on a short spike, generally Uyice a-
year : the blossoms are yellow, the lip is marked with
crimson. It flowers at diff'erent times of the year, and lasts
two weeks in beauty. A scarce plant.

Chy. hractescens. — A fine species from Guatemala:

CHYSIS — CCELOGYNE. 5 1

its flowers are produced on a short spike, sometimes six
together, each flower measuring two or three inches across ;
the sepals and petals are white ; the lip has a blotch of
yellow in the centre. It blooms in April and May, lasts two
or three weeks in perfection : it makes^a good show-plant.

Chy. IcBvis, from Guatemala. — The blossoms are
cream-coloured, with a blotch of yellow on the lip : it
flowers in the same way as the two former kinds, but at
difl'erent times of the year ; lasts two weeks in good condi-
tion. A scarce plant.

CCELOGYNE.

There are many species of this class of plants, some of
which are very beautiful : the colour of the flowers of some
being rich and of a most delicate hue, while others are not
worth growing. The following produce the best flowers :
some of the species are evergreen ; others are deciduous,
and lose their leaves after they have finished their growth,
which is generally the time they begin to flower : the blos-
soms on the deciduous species thus appear without any
leaves. Almost all the Coelogyne have small bulbs, from
which the flowers proceed with the young growth: they
make their leaves after they have done blooming : the
flowers of some are very large, measuring as much as three
inches across.

These plants are all best grown in pots, with peat and
moss. Some of them will do on blocks, but the pot-and-
peat culture is the best. They require good drainage, and
an abundance of water at their roots in their growing sea-
son, and are best grown in the East India house ; but
after they have finished their growth a cooler house will
do. During their period of rest they should have but little
water, especially the deciduous kind, which are best placed

52

ORCHIDS.

near the glass till they begin to grow, when they should be
moved back into heat and treated as above. They are pro-
pagated by dividing the bulbs.

Ccel. cristata. — A magnificent Orchid from Nepaul ; a
dwarf evergreen species, leaves six inches long ; the flowers
proceed from the bottom of the bulb, on a drooping spike,
six or eight together, each flower being three or four inches
across : the colour is a beautiful white, with a blotch of
yellow on the lip. It blossoms in February and March,
and will continue in perfection four or five weeks if the
flowers are kept free from damp. This is the finest of
the genus, and ought to be in every collection.

Ccel. Cumingii. — A pretty species from Singapore ;
sepals and petals white ; lip bright yellow, with white down
the centre. It lasts long in beauty.

Ccel. Gardneriana. — A very good Orchid from the
Khoosea Hills, grows about a foot high ; the flowers, which
are white tinged with yellow, are produced on a drooping
spike. It blooms during the mnter months, and lasts
three or four weeks in good condition.

Ccel, Lowii. — A fine evergreen species from Borneo : a
rather large-growing plant, about two feet high ; the flowers
are produced on a drooping spike, about a foot long, twelve
or more flowers together, which are large, of a pale yellow
and chocolate in colour. It blooms in June or July, lasts
two weeks in perfection. This requires a large pot to grow
it to perfection, being one of the freest of all the Coelogyne.
A scarce plant.

Ccel. maculata. — A beautiful new deciduous Orchid,
from the Khoosea Hills, with leaves six inches long. This
plant flowers without any foliage ; the sepals and petals are
of a delicate white, with the lip of the same colour, beau-
tifully barred with crimson. It blooms in October and
November, continuing three or four weeks in perfection.

CCELOGYNE — CORYANTHES.

53

This plant should be potted level with the pot rim, and
some silver sand should be mixed with the peat, which
ought to be finer than for the others.

Ccel. speciosa, — A desirable plant from Borneo, ever-
green, and about eight inches high ; the flowers are brown
and white, and are produced on a short spike, two or more
together, at different times of the year. It lasts long in
bloom.

Ccel. WallicJiiana. — A truly handsome dwarf species
from India. A deciduous plant, producing its solitary
flowers in October and November, and lasting two weeks
in beauty. The colour is of a deep rose, and the lip the
same, with a dash of white in the centre ; the blossoms are
three or four inches across. This has always been a rare
plant ; but within the last year a fresh importation has
made it rather more plentiful. This requires to be grown
the same as maculata.

CORYANTHES.
These are very large, extraordinary-looking flowers. Be-
fore the flowers open they are in the shape of a Chinese foot ;
after opening, the flowers form a sort of a cup, having above
it a pair of fleshy horns, from which a sort of liquid exudes
and drops into the cup. They produce their flowers from
the bottom of the bulbs on a spike, one or two together.
The plants are evergreen, with leaves ten inches long, on
short bulbs three inches high. The leaves are two or
three inches broad. They will grow either in baskets or
pots, with moss and peat and good drainage ; they require
a liberal supply of water at the roots during their period
of grow^th, with a good heat. After they have made their
grow^th they should be kept rather dry, so that their bulbs
be not allowed to shrivel. They are propagated by divi-
sion of the bulbs.

54

OKCHIDS.

Coryantlies macrantha. — The best of the genus, which
comes from the Caraccas, and flowers in May, June, and
July : lasts but three or four days in bloom ; the colour
orange-yellow, spotted with purple ; the lip is red. This
plant ought to be in every collection.

Cor. maculata, from Demerara. — The flowers are dull
yellow, spotted with dull crimson ; blooms during the sum-
mer months, and lasts but three days in beauty.

Cor. speciosa. — This singular Orchid comes from De-
merara, is about a foot high, with pale yellow-coloured
flowers, which are produced in April or May : lasts three
or four days in bloom.

CYCNOCHES.

This is another curious tribe of plants. Their flowers
are of a very peculiar form, being in the shape of a swan.
They are not thought much of by many growers of Orchids,
but some are worth growing on account of the curious form
of their flowers ; they are of easy culture, and produce
their flowers freely ; all are deciduous, and lose their leaves
as soon as they have finished their growth. The bulbs,
which are thick and fleshy, are from six to ten inches
high, and have three or four leaves on the top of each
bulb. They produce their flowers, which are large, from
nearly the top of the bulb, some of them several together.
They are best grown in the East India house, in pots,
with rough fibrous peat and good drainage, with a liberal
supply of water at the roots in their growing season ; after-
wards they may be kept much cooler, and should be placed
near the glass to receive all the light possible ; and during
this time they must be kept rather dry, having only just
enough water to keep their bulbs from shrivelling. When
they begin to grow, move them back into heat. They are

CYCNOCHES CYMBIDIUM.

65

propagated by dividing the bulbs when they begin to

gl'OW.

Cycnoches harhatum, from New Granada. — A dwarf
species, sepals and petals greenish white, spotted with
pink ; lip the same colour. It blooms in June or July,
lasts in flower two or three weeks. A very scarce plant,

Cyc. chlorocliilion. — A very good species from Deme-
rara ; the flowers, which are of a yellowish colour, are pro-
duced in June or July, and last three weeks in good condi-
tion if kept dry.

Cyc. Loddigesii. — A very curious Orchid from Surinam.
It produces its blossoms on a spike, six or eight together,
which are four inches across ; the sepals and petals are of
a brownish-green colour, with darker spots, and bearing re-
semblance to the expanded wings of a swan. It blooms in
July and August, and continues in perfection three weeks.
A desirable species, which ought to be in every collection.

Cyc. pentadactylon. — This is also a very curious species
from Brazil ; the flowers are very large, the colour being
yellow and brown. It flowers at different times of the
year, and lasts long in beauty.

Cyc. ventricosum. — A free-flowering Orchid from Guate-
mala ; the blossoms are greenish-yellow, with a white lip :
blooms in June, July, or August, lasting in bloom three
weeks.

CYMBIDIUM.

There are several species of this genus, but only a few
that are good ; some of them are very handsome, and deli-
cate in colour. They are all evergreen, with beautiful
foliage; some are large-grovdng plants with short bulbs,
from which the leaves and flowers proceed. They are
generally free-flowering plants, and some of them pro-
duce pendulous spikes as much as two feet long. They

56

OECHIDS.

are best grown in the East India house, in pots of large
size ; they require plenty of pot room, as they send out
thick fleshy roots very freely. I grow these in rough peat
with good drainage, and a liberal quantity of water at the
roots during their period of growth ; afterwards less water
will suffice, and they should be kept at the cool end of the
East India house. They are propagated by dividing the
bulbs. The foUomng are the best I have seen : —

Cymhidium ehurneum. — A remarkably handsome species,
the finest of the genus, with graceful foliage, and of very
compact growth. The sepals and petals of the flowers are
pure wdiite ; the lip is the same colour, with a blotch of
yellow in the centre : the flowers are erect, about sLx
inches high, and very large. It blooms in February and
March, and lasts a long time in bloom. A very scarce plant.
We are indebted to Messrs. Loddiges for the introducing
of this magnificent plant.

Cyyn. giganteum, from Nepaul. — This is not so good
as the others, but it makes a good plant for winter
blooming : a rather large-growing species ; its brown and
purple flowei's are produced on long spikes during the
winter, and last long in perfection if they are kept dry.

Cym. Master sii. — A pretty Orchid from India. It is a
great deal like ehurneum in its growth, but the flowers are
very different ; they are produced on a spike, and are white
with a yellow centre. This plant blooms during the winter,
and continues long in flower.

Gym. ]pendulmn. — A very good Orchid from Sylhet : a
large-growing plant, with long drooping spikes from one to
two feet long ; sepals and petals bromi ; the lip red striped
with white. It blooms in July or August, and lasts long
in beauty.

CYPRIPEDIUMS,

57

CYPRIPEDIUMS.

These are all beautiful in foliage as well as in flower,
and are worth a place in every collection. They are of
easy culture, and require but little space ; the form of the
flowers is curious, being that of a slipper — they are generally
called the Lady's Slipper, and are all dwarf, compact, and
evergreen, the leaves of some being beautifully spotted. They
produce their flowers from the centre of the leaves, on an
upright stalk, and rise from six inches to a foot high. All
are best grown in the East India house, except insigne,
which thrives best in a cooler place, and will do well in a
warm greenhouse. I grow all in pots with peat, except
Loicii, and this I grow in a pot with loam and leaf mould ;
they all require a liberal quantity of water at their roots
during their period of growth. They need but little rest,
and should not be allowed to get too dry at the roots. The
plants are not like many of our Orchids ; they have no
thick fleshy bulbs to supply them with nourishment. They
are propagated by dividing the plant.

Cyjmpedium harhatum. — A handsome species, with
beautifully spotted foliage ; the colour of the flowers
brownish-purple and white : it produces its solitary flowers
at different times of the year, lasting six weeks in bloom.
There are two varieties of this plant, one being much
brighter in colour than the other.

Cyp. caudatum. — A remarkable and curious Orchid
from Peru, with light green foliage, producing its pale
yellow and green flowers, several together, on a single
spike ; there are two tails, which hang downwards from
each flower, about twenty inches long. It blooms in
March, April, and May, and lasts three or four weeks in
perfection.

Cyp. insigne. — A good old species from Sylhet, with

58

OECHIDS.

green foliage ,* sepals and petals yellowish, green — the
upper petal is tipped with white, and spotted with brown ;
the labellum is orange and brown. It produces its solitary
flowers during the winter, lasting six weeks in bloom.

Cyp. Lowii. — A curious and beautiful Orchid from
Borneo, with light green foliage. This rare Orchid pro-
duces its flowers on a spike, two or more together, during
the summer, and continues in perfection for two or three
months if kept in a cool house.

Cyp. purpuratwn. — A pretty species from the Indian
islands, with beautifully spotted foliage ; produces its
flowers during the winter months : the flowers are very
much like harbatum, except the upper petal, which has
more pure white on the end of the petal.

DENDROBIUMS.

This is a magnificent class of plants ; some of their
flowers are very large and delicate in colour, and others
delightfully fragrant. There are not many plants that
surpass the Dendrobiums. Their beautiful flowers are of
nearly every shade of colour, and many produce them very
freely ; some are compact in their growth, while others are
straggling ; some are very gracefully growing plants, espe-
cially when cultivated in baskets and suspended from the
roof, so that their pendulous bulbs hang dow^n and exhibit
their flowers to the best advantage : all the drooping kinds
require to be grown in this way ; some of them are ever-
green, others are deciduous.

Though some of the Dendrobiums require different
treatment from others, they may all be successfully culti-
vated w^ith proper attention. They are generally found in
the hotter parts of India, growing on the branches of trees,
frequently such as hang over streams of w^ater ; and to grow

t

DENDKOBIUMS.

59

these plants to perfection they must have a good season
both of rest and growth. They require to be grown strong
to flow^er well. Some of the sorts are best grown in pots,
with peat and good drainage ; others do best on blocks of
wood. I keep them all in the East India house. During
their period of growth give them a good supply of heat and
moisture, with a liberal quantity of water at the roots : in
fact, the moss or peat never should be allowed to get dry-
while they are in a vigorous growth. After they have
finished their growth, allow them a good season of rest by
moving them into a cooler house, and during the time
they are in a cool house give them but very little water,
only enough to keep their bulbs from shrivelling. This is
the only way to make them grow strong and flow^er freely ;
when they begin to grow they should be moved back into
heat, and treated as is described above. They generally
begin to grow after their flowers are faded.

They are propagated in different ways : some of them
form plants on the old bulbs, which should be cut off and
potted : some are propagated by cutting the old bulbs from
the plant after they have done blooming ; others are in-
creased by dividing the plants according to the directions
given in reference to propagation (p. 22). The Dendro-
biums are a large class of plants ; some of them not worth
growing, excepting for botanical purposes. The following are
among the finest in cultivation, and will amply reward the
care of the cultivator.

Dendrohium Aduncum, from Manilla. — A rather strag-
gling grower : an evergreen species, producing its flower-
spikes from the old bulbs. The blossoms, which are small,
are white and pink in colour, and appear at different times
in the year, lasting two or three weeks in perfection. This
is best grown in a pot with peat and good drainage : it is

60

OECHIDS.

not so good as many of the Dendrobiums, but it is worth
gTowing where there is plenty of room.

D. aggregation, — A pretty, dwarf, evergreen species,
from India : grows about four inches high, producing its
pale yellow blossoms on a spike from the middle of the
bulb : flowers in Llarch and April, and lasts two weeks in
bloom. This will do either on a block, or in a pot with
peat, and is a desirable species.

D. alba sanguineum, — A charming new Orchid from
India : a compact-growing plant, with bulbs a foot high,
and produces its large flowers, which are creamy white,
from nearly the top of the bulb, with a crimson blotch on
the centre of the lip. This was first flowered by Messrs.
Veitch, of Exeter, who received it from theh collector in
India : it blooms in July, and lasts a long time in perfec-
tion, and is best grown in a pot with moss. A scarce Or-
chid, and a fine, showy plant for exhibition.

D. album, from India. — It produces its white blossoms
during the winter. This is not so handsome as many, but
it is worth growing where there is room.

D. calceolarea, — A beautiful evergreen species from
India. This is a large-growing plant, about four feet high :
when well grown its flowers proceed from the top of the old
bulb, on a raceme, twelve or more together, which are large ;
sepals and petals orange colour ; lip chocolate, edged with
yellow : it blooms during the summer months, lasting but
four days in bloom. This is best grown in a pot with
moss or peat.

D. Cambridgeaninn. — A remarkably handsome Orchid
from India : a deciduous species of a drooping habit, about
a foot long. The flowers are produced on the young growth
in March and April : the sepals and petals are of a bright
orange ; the lip has a crimson blotch in the centre : it lasts

DENDKOBIUMS.

61

in beauty two weeks, and is best grown in a basket with
moss suspended from the roof,

V, chrysanthemum. — A charming species from India,
deciduous and pendulous, growing about three or four feet
long, and generallj flowers along the stem at the same
time it is making its growth. The colour of the flowers is a
bright yellow, with a dark red spot on the lip : it blossoms
at different times of the year, lasting two v>'eeks in perfec-
tion, and requiring the same treatment as Camhridgeanum.

D. chri/sotoxum, from India. An upright- gro™ig plant,
a foot or more high, and evergreen. It produces its pale
yellow flowers on a spike from the top of the bulb ; blooms
during the winter months, and lasts a short time in perfec-
tion : pot-and-peat culture suits it best.

D. cretaceum. — A compact, deciduous-growing plant :
it produces its white flowers during June and July, lasting
six weeks in perfection. This will do either in a pot or
basket, with peat or moss. A rare plant.

D. Dalhousianmn. — This is a beautiful Indian evergreen
species ; bulbs are elegantly marked, and grovr three or four
feet high : it blooms from the old growth, with numerous
flowers on a spike, in April and May. The flowers are
large, of a pale lemon colour, with a pink margin, and two
dark crimson spots in the centre : it lasts four or five days
in beauty. This will grow either in a pot or basket, \^ith
moss. A scarce Orchid, justly prized by those who possess
it : it makes a good plant for exhibition.

D. densiflorum. — A magnificent evergreen Orchid
from India ; compact and free flowering, of upright grovth,
a foot or more high. It produces its beautiful spikes of
rich yellow flowers from the side of the bulb, near the top.
It blooms in March, April, or May, and lasts from four to
six days in perfection, if kept in a cool house. This is one
of the showiest Orchids in cultivation, and is best grown in

62

OKCHIDS.

a pot with peat, and is one of the choicest plants we have
for exhibition, on account of its colour.

jD. Devonianum. — This is one of the finest of the
genus from India; a deciduous and pendulous-growing
species. The blossoms proceed from nearly the whole length
of the bulb, which sometimes attains the extent of four feet :
the flowers are two inches across ; sepals cream colour,
shaded with pinkish purple ; the petals are broader than
the sepals, and are pink, with a deep purple stain ; the lip
is broad and fringed, rich purple on the ends, with two
spots of rich orange on the column. It blooms in May or
June, lasts two weeks in perfection, and is best grown in a
basket with moss. This makes a splendid plant for exhibition.

D. Farmerii. — A beautiful, compact, evergreen Orchid,
from India, with dark green foliage. This grows and
flowers in the same way as demiflormn. The colour of the
flowers is pink, with a yellow centre : it blooms in April
and May, and lasts two weeks in beauty if kept in a cool
house, requiring the same treatment as densiflorum.

D, fimhriatum. — A very good Orchid from India.
A drooping, evergreen species ; the bulbs grow two or three
feet long, producing their flowers on a spike at nearly the
end of the bulb : the flowxrs are of a bright yellow, and
beautifully fringed. This plant will continue flowering
from the old bulbs for years : it generally blossoms during
the spring months, seldom lasting more than four days in
bloom ; is best grown in a basket with moss.

D. formoswn. — A remarkably handsome, compact, ever-
green Orchid ; grows about a foot high, and blooms from
the top of the bulb, three or four together : the blossoms
are white, with a bright yellow centre, and frequently three
inches across ; they last six weeks or more in perfection.
This may be grown either in a pot or basket with moss or
peat : it makes a splendid plant for exhibition.

DENDROBIUMS.

63

D. Gibsonii. — A very pretty, evergi'een, and upright-
growing Orcliid from India, about t^YO feet high : the blos-
soms are produced on the ends of the old bulbs ; the sepals
and petals are rich orange ; the lip bright yellow, with two
dark spots on the upper part : blooms during the autumn
months, lasts two weeks in good condition. Same treatment
SiS form OSU771.

D. Heyniamim. — A pretty species from Bombay : a
deciduous kind ; it produces its small spikes of flowers
dming the winter, which are of a delicate white, seyeral
together. A yery rare plant.

D. Jenkinsii. — A beautiful, dwarf, eyergreen species,
from India, about two inches high : the flowers are yery
large for the size of the plant ; the colour is a pale buff,
margined with yellow ; they are produced from the bulb,
one or two together : last ten days in beauty. This is best
grown on a bare block of wood suspended from the roof.
We generally bloom this plant eyery year, with fifty
flowers on one single plant.

D. viacrojphyllum. — A fine Orchid from the Philip-
pine Islands, of pendulous habit ; a deciduous species,
losing its leayes just as it begins to show its flower-buds.
The bulbs grow about two feet long, from which the flowers
proceed in a row on each side ; they are pink tinged yith
rose colour, three or foiu' inches across each flower, and
lasting two weeks in perfection, if the flowers are kept dry.
It is best grown in a basket with moss. This makes a
noble plant for public exhibition.

D. moniliforme. — A delicate species from Japan : an
evergreen, upright-growing plant, about a foot or more
high ; blooms all up the bulb on two-year old growth, the
colour being a light blue and white : it blooms during the
winter months, lasting two weeks in beauty. This will

64

ORCHIDS.

grow in a basket, but I find it thrives best in a pot with
peat or moss.

D. moschatum. — A handsome species from India : this
grows in the same w^ay as calceolare, the flowers are nearly
the same, and it lasts about as long in perfection.

P. nohile. — A magnificent Orchid from India ; a free-
ilowering, evergreen species, of upright growth : the blos-
soms, which are pink and white, with a spot of crimson in
the centre of the lip, are formed along the sides of the bulbs.
It blooms during the winter and spring months, lasting three
or four weeks in good condition, if kept in a cool house.
It will grow either in a pot or basket with moss or peat.
This is one of the finest exhibition plants we have. I have
shown it in the month of May with three hundred flowers
on one single plant : a truly splendid object.

P. Paxtonii. — A remarkably handsome Orchid from
India ; an evergreen species, with upright growth, about
three or four feet high : it blooms at different times of the
year, from nearly the top of the old bulb, on a spike, and its
flowers are of a beautiful orange colour, with a dark centre :
lasts in perfection ten da^^s, and requires the same treat-
ment as nohile.

D. Pierardii. — A useful Orchid, for the winter and
spring months, from India : a drooping, deciduous species,
flowering in the same way as macropliyllum, and requiring
similar treatment : its beautiful white flowers last three
weeks in beauty.

D. Pierardii latifolium, from India : the flowers are
much finer than the old species, though of the same
colour : it blooms in April and May. A scarce plant. We
have bloomed this with seventy flowers on a single bulb.
It requires the same treatment as the former, and is a use-
ful plant for exhibition.

DENDROBIUMS.

D. pidchellum purjjiireum. — A pretty, dwarf, deciduous
species, from Sylhet ; loses its leaves after it has finished
growing, and generally begins to show flower in February
all up the bulb : the sepals and petals are white, edged
with green ; the lip is beautifully fringed ; it has a bright
orange blotch in the centre : does well in a basket with
moss ; lasts two weeks in bloom.

D. sanguinolentiim. — A good species from India, ever-
green ; the bulbs and leaves are violet or lilac coloured ;
grows three or four feet high ; blooms from the end of the
old bulbs, which keep blooming for years ; sepals and
petals fawn colour, tipped with spots of deep violet ; the lip
the same colour : it blooms during the summer and autumn
months, and lasts two weeks in good condition : this will
do either in a basket or pot, with peat or moss.

D, transparens. — A beautiful small-flowering Orchid,
from India ; blooms in the same way as yiohile ; the flowers,
which grow in pairs along the bulb, are of a pale, trans-
parent, pinkish lilac, stained in the middle of the lip with a
blotch of deep crimson : it blooms in June and July, and
does well grown in a pot with peat or moss. A new and
rare plant, introduced by Messrs. Veitch, of Exeter.

D. tortilis, — A charming species from Java ; an ever-
green, about two feet high ; blooms in the same way as
nohile, and requires the same treatment. The flowers are
pale yellow, almost white : blooms in May and June, last-
ing a long time in perfection. A scarce plant, also intro-
duced by Messrs. Veitch.

D. triadenium. — A delicate Orchid from India, of
upright growth, and evergreen : produces its white and
pink flowers on a small spike from the old bulbs, lasting
two weeks in bloom : flowers at different times of the year,
and is best grown in a pot with peat.

D, Wallichianum. — This is a beautiful Indian kind ;

F

66

OECHIDS.

has taller bulbs, much darker foliage, and richer-coloured
flowers than nohile : it blooms at the same time, and re-
quires similar treatment. This makes a noble plant for
show.

EPIDENDRUMS.

Many of this large class of plants are scarcely worth
cultivating, excepting for botanical purposes. More
growers of Orchids have been deceived in buying Epiden-
drums, than any other class of Orchids : the bulbs of so
many kinds are so nearly ahke, that it is difficult to tell
what they really are till they flower. They may often
be kept several years before they flower, and then, instead
of something good, they produce frequently only dingy
green flowers, about the same colour as the leaves. Some
of these are veiy fragrant, and will perfume the whole
house in which they are grown. There are, however,
some beautiful species among this class, the flowers of
which are very distinct in colour. The following comprise
all the best sorts that I know. They are all evergreen,
and compact in their habit, except cinnaharinum and crassi-
foliinn, which are tall-growing, with long slender bulbs, and
small leaves from top to bottom : the other sorts have short,
round bulbs, with long narrow leaves, except aurantiacum,
hicornutinn, and Stamfordianum, These grow more in the
way of the Cattleyas, with upright bulbs, having two or
three short leaves on the top. They all produce their
flowers from the top of the bulb, except Stumfordianum,
in which they rise from the bottom.

These plants will all do in the Mexican house, and
may be groTO on blocks of wood ; but the pot-and-peat
culture is the best. They require a season of rest, with
the same treatment as the Cattleyas, excepting less heat :

EPIDENDRUMS.

67

they are propagated by dividing the plants, as described in
the remarks on propagation (p. 22).

Epidendrum alatum major. — A pretty species from
Mexico : its spikes of flowers, produced in June or July,
are pale yellow, with the lip striped with purple, and con-
tinue five or six wrecks in beauty. There are several
varieties of alatum, but I know only one, viz. the major
variety, which w^as flow^ered by Mr. WooUey, gardener to
H. Bellenden Ker, Esq., Cheshunt.

Ejn. aiirantiaciim, — A charming species from Guate-
mala. This plant grows in the same way as the Cattleya
Skinnerii, which the bulbs so nearly resemble as to be
often mistaken for it. It grows a foot high, and produces
its flowers from a sheath at the top of the bulb : the
flowers are of a bright orange colour, with lip of the same,
striped with crimson : it blooms in March, April, and May,
lasting six weeks in perfection if kept in a cool house.
There are two varieties of this plant, one of which never
expands its flowers. We have both varieties here, and
both growing in the same house, with the same treatment :
the best variety opens its flowers, while the other keeps
them nearly close, — a peculiarity which renders it not worth
growing. There is a fine plant of the best variety in the
Horticultural Gardens, Chiswick, which is worth a visit
when in bloom.

Epi. alifolium. — A pretty species when well grown,
from the same country as the former. This is pendulous-
growing, and very distinct from any of the other Epiden-
drums, having curious and narrow-pointed leaves : the
flowers, which are large, proceed from the top of the bulb, ^
one or two together: the sepals and petals are greenish-
yellow and brown, the lip is of a pure w^hite ; it blooms
during the summer months, and lasts long in beauty. This
plant is best grown in a basket with moss.

68

OECHIDS.

Ejn. hicornutum. — A remarkably handsome Orchid
from Guyana, about ten inches high : the flowers proceed
from the top of the bulbs on a spike ; sometimes on one
spike there are as many as twelve beautiful flowers, each
about two inches across, of a pure white, with a few
crimson spots in the centre of the lip : blossoms in April
and May, lasting two or three weeks in beauty. This is
rather a difficult plant to grow : the best plant I ever saw
was grown on a block of wood without any moss, and
flowered five or six years in succession ; but in the seventh
year the plant seemed to lose its vigour, and never flowered
afterwards, probably because the block began to decay and
get sour. I have seen plants do well in pots with peat
and good drainage.

Epi. cinnabarinum, from Pemambuco. — A tall-growing
plant, four feet high, which blooms from the top of the
bulb : the flowers are bright scarlet, and are produced in
abundance in May, June, and July : it continues flowering
for two or three months.

Ejn. crassifolium. — This is not so good as many Epi-
dendrums, but it is worth growing on account of its colour :
it is a rather tall grower, two or three feet high ; it pro-
duces its rose-coloured flowers in profusion in March,
April, May, and June, and will continue blooming for three
or four months, which makes it a valuable plant for exhi-
bitions.

Epi. Hanhuryanum, from Mexico. — This is not so
showy as many of the Epidendrums, but is worth growing
on account of its colour ; sepals and petals deep purple, lip
pale rose : blooms during the spring months, lasting long
in beauty.

Epi. macrochilum. — A beautiful species from Guate-
mala ; the sepals and petals brown, lip large, of a pure
white, with a purple blotch at the base : it blossoms in

EPIDENDRUMS.

69

April and May, and lasts five weeks in good condition, if
the flowers are kept free from damp.

Epi. macrochilum roseum. — A beautiful variety of the
former ; the lip is of a darker rose colour, blooms at the
same time, and lasts long in beauty.

Epi. plmniceum. — A fine species from Cuba ; the sepals
and petals purple ; the lip of the same colour, mixed with
pink and crimson : blooms dming the summer months.

Epi. Stamfordiamim, from Guatemala. — A small-flower-
ing species, producing its flowers in great abundance on a
branching spike : they are of a greenish yellow, thickly
spotted with brownish purple : it blooms in April and May,
lasting a considerable time in perfection. There are two
varieties of this plant ; one has much brighter coloured
flowers than the other ; the best has longer and thinner
bulbs than the other.

Epi. varicosum. — A truly beautiful Orchid from
Mexico ; sepals and petals are of a delicate pink, spotted
with crimson ; the lip of the same colour : it produces its
flowers in June and July, and continues flowering for four
weeks. There are two varieties of this plant ; one has
much darker coloured flowers than the other. A very
scarce Orchid.

Epi. vitellimim. — A small-growing plant, but one of
the finest of the genus, from Mexico : a very distinct Or-
chid ; the sepals and petals rich orange scarlet, the lip a
bright yellow : blossoms during the winter, lasting six
weeks or more in good condition. A very scarce Orchid.

Epi. vitellinum major. — The same colour as vitelUnum,
the only difference being in the larger size of the flowers,
and in its blooming during the summer months : it lasts
long in bloom. A very rare plant.

70

OECHIDS.

GALEANDRA.

There are only two of this genus that I know of; both
are good and worth growing. They are deciduous and
upright-growing, with slender bulbs, producing their flower
spikes from the top, just as they have finished their growth.
These are best grown in pots, with peat and good drainage,
in the East India house, with a good supply of water at the
roots during their period of growth. Afterwards they
should be moved into the cooler house, placed near the
glass, and kept rather dry, till they begin to grow, when
they should be treated as before directed.

Galeandra Bauerii. — A desirable dwarf species from
Guayana ; the pink and purple-coloured blossoms are pro-
duced on a drooping spike ; blooms in June, July, and Au-
gust ; continues in perfection a long time. This makes a
fine plant when well grown, and it is worth all the care
that can be bestowed upon it.

Gal: Devoniana. — A beautiful Orchid from South Ame-
rica ; grows about two feet high ; the blossoms are pink
and white ; blooms in April and May, lasting a long time
in beauty. A very scarce plant.

GOODYERA.

Goody era discolor, from Brazil. — This is a most useful
plant for the winter; very free-flowering, with beautiful
dark evergreen and velvet-like foliage. It is best grown
in a pot with leaf-mould and peat mixed together, and ^\ill
thrive in either house. It should have a good supply of
water at the roots in the growing season. It produces its
spikes of white and yellow blossoms during the winter,
and will continue flowering for two months.

HUNTLEYA — L^LIAS.

71

HUNTLEYA.

This small genus of curiously-formed, though not very
showy flowers, is of easy culture, and worth growing. The
plants have evergreen foliage, about ten inches high, and
are compact in their growth, with small bulbs, from which
their flowers proceed. The blossoms are large, and stand
about four inches high. These are best grow^n in pots,
with peat and good drainage, in the East India house,
with a liberal supply of water at the roots during the time
they are in vigorous growth, but less afterwards. They
require but a short season of rest.

Huntley a meleagris. — The best of the genus, from South
America. The flowers are yellow and brown; blooms in
June and July, and lasts a long time in beauty. A
scarce Orchid.

Hunt, violacea. — A curious species from Guayana. It
produces its solitary violet-coloured flowers at different
times of the year ; keeps in bloom foiu- or five weejts.

Hunt. WailesicB. — A curious dwarf plant. It produces
its white and purple flowers during the autumn months,
lasting long in perfection. A scarce plant, and very distinct.

L^LIAS.

This is a most lovely class of plants. Their flowers
are large and very handsome, distinct in colour ; most of
them compact in their growth, with evergreen foliage, and
resembling in many respects the genus Cattleya, to which
some of them are nearly equal in the beauty of their
flowers; They produce their blossoms, on spikes of varied
length, from the top of their bulbs. These plants merit a
place in every collection, and will amply repay the cul-
tivator for the care they may require. The Lselias

7-2

OECHIDS.

are among our finest Orchids for winter blooming.
Some are best gimTL on blocks of wood with moss ; others
thrive well in pots with peat and good drainage.

Lcelia cvmaharina, L. flava, L. Perrinii, are best grown
in pots, without much water at the roots at any time, and
requu^e the same treatment as the Cattleyas. Those on
blocks require more water. All are best grown in the
Mexican house, except Perrinii, which requires a little
more heat to grow it to perfection. They are propagated
in the same way as the Cattleyas.

LcB. acuminata. — A pretty, delicate-flowering, and com-
pact-growing plant from Mexico ; sepals and petals white ;
lip white, with a dark blotch on the upper part. It blooms
in December and January, and lasts two or three weeks in
beauty. There is another variety of this plant with violet-
coloured flowers.

L(E. albida superha. — A lovely compact-growing variety
fromOaxaca; sepals and petals white; lip pink, with stripes
of yellow down the centre. It blossoms in December and
January, lasting a good time in beauty. There are two
varieties of this plant. The best is called superha. In su-
perha the flowers are much larger than in alhida. I never
saw this vaiiety until December 1851, when I met with
several plants in bloom at Stratford, Essex, in the nurseiy
of Mr. Bunny, one of our most successful growers of Orchids.

Lee. anceps. — A remarkably handsome Orchid from
Mexico ; sepals and petals rose lilac ; the lip of a ^beautiful
deep pm'ple. It blooms in December and January. The
flowers are three or four inches across, and last a month
in perfection, if kept in a cool dry house.

L(E. autumnalis. — A lovely and showy Orcliid from
Mexico. It produces its blossoms on a spike twelve
inches or more high, and often as many as nine flowers on
a single spike. We have bloomed it with that number.

L^LIAS.

7a

The sepals and petals^ are of a beautiful purple colour ; lip
rose colour, and white, mth yellow in the centre. The
flowers are four inches across : it blooms at the same time
as anceps, lasting two weeks in good condition. There are
several varieties of this plant, some of them much richer in
colour than others.

Lm. cinnabarina, — A charming distinct species from
Brazil, very compact in its growth; the flowers are of a
reddish orange. It blooms in March, April, and May,
lasting six weeks in beauty. This makes a good plant for
exhibition on account of its colour.

L(E. flava. — A very distinct species from Mexico; grows
in the same way as cinnabarina. The colour of the flowers
is yellow ; blooms at the same time as the former ; lasts
three weeks in perfection.

LcB. furfur acea. — A great deal like autmnnalis in its
growth and flower, the flowers of this being more compact
and lasting a longer time in beauty.

L(B. Perrinii. — A truly beautiful species from Brazil;
grows like the Cattleyas and flowers in the same way ; the
sepals and petals light purple, with a crimson lip. It
blooms in October and November ; continues in good con-
dition three weeks. There are two varieties of this plant ;
one producing much darker coloured flowers, and being
stronger in its growth than the other.

LcB. majalis. — This is a glorious plant from Bolanos ;
a dwarf-growing species. The flowers are large, fom' inches
across, of a delicate rose colour ; the lip is striped and
spotted with chocolate. It blooms with the young growth,
and lasts five or six weeks in beauty. This is the finest of
the genus, and is rather difiicult to flower in some col-
lections ; but it flowers every year at this place. I keep it
rather dry during the winter.

LcB. superhiens. — A magnificent Orchid from Guate-

74

ORCHIDS.

mala. This is rather a large-growing plant, but it is one
of the finest. The flowers are produced on a spike five feet
long, having sometimes from fourteen to twenty flowers on
one spike, each flow^er measuring nearly four inches across.
The flowers are of a beautiful deep rose, variegated with
dark red; the lip is a rich crimson, striped with yellow.
It blooms during the winter months, and continues long in
beauty. The finest plant I ever saw of this is in the
Horticultural Gardens, Chiswick. This plant, when in
bloom, is worth travelling miles to see. It sometimes
produces as many as nine spikes of its beautiful flowers at
one time ; the plant is four or five feet high, and its dia-
meter is equal to its height ; it is in perfect health.

LEPTOTES.

This small genus of Orchids deserves to be in every
collection; they are small and compact-growing plants,
with curious evergreen foliage in the shape of a thick rush,
about three inches long, and produce their flowers from
the top of the bulb. They are of easy culture, and will do
either on blocks or in pots with peat. These plants are
very accommodating, for they will grow in either house
with a liberal supply of water in the growing season. They
are propagated by dividing the plants.

Leptotes bicolor. — A pretty Orchid from Brazil; sepals
and petals are white, with a blotch of purple on the lip,
and blooms during the winter months, lasting four weeks
in beauty.

Lep. serrulata. — A charming little plant, from the same
country as bicolor; the flowers are nearly the same in
colour; the only difference being, that they are much
larger. It blooms in April and May ; lasts three weeks in
perfection. A scarce plant.

LYCASTE — MILTONIAS.

75

LYCASTE.

There are several species of this genus, but only a few
that have handsome flowers. These plants have short
thick bulbs with flag-shape leaves ; the flow^ers are single
generally, but sometimes double, and are formed at the
end of a spike or stalk, about eight inches from the bulbs.
They are of easy culture, and may be grown in either
house in pots with peat and good drainage ; plenty of
water in the growing season, but afterwards only enough
to keep them from shrivelling. They should be kept cool.
They are propagated by dividing the plants.

L/y caste cruenta, from Guatemala. — The blossoms are
yellow, with a dark spot in the centre of the lip. It pro-
duces its flowers in abundance in March and April : lasts
three weeks in perfection.

Lyc. Deppii. — A good old species from Zalapa. It
produces its flowers during the winter and spring months,
lasting long in beauty.

Lyc. Skinnerii. — A beautiful Orchid from Guatemala.
A free-flowering species ; sepals and petals pure white,
tinged at the base with rose colour; the lip of the same
colour, spotted with crimson. There are several varieties
of this plant : one, called violacea, is much darker- coloured
in the lip ; it blooms during the winter months, lasting a
long time in beauty. This plant ought to be in every col-
lection ; it is one of the finest plants for winter blooming.
Its large, numerous, singularly - formed, and richly -co-
loured flowers, rendering it at this season peculiarly
attractive.

MILTONIAS.

There are some beautiful species of this class of plants,
several of the flowers are very handsome ; they are gene-

70

OECKIBS.

rally compact gro\\ing, -with evergreen foliage, and flower
freely from the side of the bulb. These will thrive in
either house with pot-and-peat cultoe, and a good supply
of water at the roots in the growing season ; afterwards
less will suffice. They are propagated by dividing the
plant just as they begin to grow.

Miltonia Candida. — A good species from Brazil; sej)als
and petals are yellow and brown, aud the labellum pure
white marked with pink. It produces its spikes of flowers
during the autunm, lasting three weeks in bloom.

Mil. Candida grandiflora. — This is much finer than the
old Candida, the flowers are larger and brighter in colour,
and the ^Dlant is much stronger in its growth.

Mil. Clowesii, major, from Brazil. It produces long
spikes of flowers in September and October ; sepals and
petals pale yellow baiTed with chocolate ; lip purple and
white ; lasts long in perfection. There are several varieties
of this plant, but major is the best.

2Iil. KaricinsJii. — A charming species from Brazil;
sepals and petals pale yellow barred with brown ; lip white
spotted YTLth chocolate. This fine species blooms dming
the winter months, lasting in beauty a long time.

Mil. Morelii. — A handsome Orchid from Eio Janeiro.
The flowers of this species resemble those of spectablis, the
only diflerence being that Morelii is much darker in the
lip : they grow in the same way, and produce their flowers
in September and October, contmuing in bloom a long
time.

Mil. spectahilis. — A beautiful Orchid from Brazil,
gi'ows about six inches high, and veiy free in producing
its large solitary flowers in July and August, lasting six
weeks in beauty if kept in a cool house and free from
damp ; sepals and petals white ; the lip violet, edged with
dull white. There are four varieties of this beautiful

MOmiODES — ODONTOGLOSSUMS.

77

species, some much better than others. Messrs. Rollisson
of Tooting have some fine varieties of spectabilis ; the lip
of one which I saw in flower was four inches across, and
of a beautiful colour.

MORMODES.

There are several of this genus, but only two that I
know of that are worth gro^\dng ; these are both deciduous,
and will do in either house, growing in pots with peat,
with a liberal quantity of water at the roots during their
period of growth ; aftei-wards they should be kept diy, and
placed near the glass till they begin to grow. They are
propagated by di^dding the plant.

Mormodes citrinum. — Thebest of the genus from Mexico ;
the flowers are yellow, and are produced on a short spike
in July and August.

Mor. luxatuyn. — From the same country as the former ;
sepals and petals creamy w^hite ; the lip the same, with
stripes of brown in the centre: blooms in July, lasting
in bloom two weeks or more.

ODONTOGLOSSUMS.

There are many species belonging to this class, and
containing some handsome varieties. Odontoglossum grande
is one of the showiest Orchids in cultivation. They are all
evergreen, some with stout bulbs, and very compact in
their growth ; their flowers proceed from the sides of the
bulbs.

They are best grown in the Mexican house, without
much heat and moisture, as they only require the mould
to be kept rather damp when they are growing, and after
their growth is completed want very little water. They
are best grown in pots, with peat and moss and good

78

ORCHIDS.

drainage, and are propagated by dividing the plants. The
following list contains the best in cultivation.

Odoyitoglossum citrosmim. — A charming Orchid from
Guatemala. It produces its long pendulous spikes of
flowers in June and July; the colour is pink and white,
the flowers measuring two inches across, twelve or more
on one spike. It will continue in perfection four or five
weeks, if kept in a cool house free from damp. There
are two varieties of this plant ; one has much brighter-
colom^ed flowers than the other. Mr. Mylom, gardener to
S. Kucker, Esq., flowers this fine variety every year, with
several spikes, and branched. This variety is very scarce,
and makes one of the finest plants for exhibition.

Odo, grande. — A remarkably handsome species from
Guatemala ; produces its very large flowers on an upright
spike during the autumn. The flowers are mottled and
striped with brown and yellow, like the back of a tiger ;
the lip white and purple. It remains in perfection three
or foar weeks, if the flowers are kept dry.

Odo. liastilabium.—A. desirable new Orchid from South
America. It produces its spikes of flowers in June, July,
and August, the colour being purple, green, and white.
It continues blooming for two months, if kept in a cool
house. This is a useful plant for exhibition, on account
of its continuing in bloom so long.

Odo. Insleayii, from Mexico. — This grows in the same
way as grande ; the flowers are brown, yellow, and orange,
and are produced on a short spike at different times of the
year, lasting in beauty three weeks.

Odo. memhranaceum. — A beautiful small-growing species
from Guatemala ; sepals and petals pure white ; the lip of
the same colour barred with brown. It blooms during the
winter months, and continues in bloom four weeks. This
will do on a block of wood.

ODONTOGLOSSUMS ONCIDIUMS.

79

Odo, ncevium, — A pretty dwarf Orchid from Truxillo,
the colour of the flowers being white spotted with crimson ;
the lip yellow. It blooms in June and July, and lasts a
considerable time in perfection. A scarce plant.

Odo. pulchellum. — A good species from Guatemala; the
flowers are white, with the exception of the crest of the
labium, which is spotted with crimson. It blooms during
the winter months, and lasts five weeks in good condition.

Odo. Rossii. — A desirable little Orchid from Mexico.
It produces its white and purple flowers during the winter,
and lasts long in beauty.

Odo. WarneriL — A pretty dwarf species from Mexico ;
the flowers are yellow and crimson. It blooms in March
and April, and lasts three weeks in perfection. A rare
plant.

ONCIDIUMS.

A large class of Orchids, some of which are very
beautiful ; their flowers are rich and showy, and they
make fine exhibition plants on account of their colours,
which are very attractive in the midst of a collection of
plants. They are all evergreen. Some of them are large
growlers, while others are more compact ; some have hand-
some spotted foliage. They have generally short thick
bulbs, from which the leaves and flower-spikes proceed ;
but in this respect there is much dissimilarity amongst
them. Some kinds will do well on blocks of wood, but
they are generally best grown in pots, with peat and moss
and good drainage, with a liberal supply of heat and
moisture in the growing season : afterwards only just
enough water is required to keep their leaves and bulbs
plump and firm. These plants are very accommodating,
they will thrive in either house, and are propagated by
division of the roots. The following are all fine sorts,

80

ORCHIDS.

and ought to be in every collection ; they are of easy
culture. There are many other Oncidiums worth growing
besides those named in the following list.

Oncidium mipliatum, major. — One of the finest in
cultivation from Guatemala. It produces its large yellow
flowers in abundance, on a long branching spike three or
four feet high, in April, May, and July, and continues
blooming for two months when the spikes are strong^
This is one of the finest Oncidiums we have for exhibition.

One, Barkerii. — A remarkably handsome dwarf Orchid
from Mexico ; the flowers are very large ; the sepals and
petals rich brown barred with yellow ; the lip a bright
yellow, about an inch and a half across. It produces its
branching spikes of flower during the dull months of
winter, which greatly enhances its value, and it lasts six
weeks in bloom.

One. bifolium. — A handsome dwarf-growing sj)ecies
from Monte Video ; the sepals and petals brown ; the lip
a bright yellow, of large size. It produces its short spikes
of flowers in May and June, lasting a long time in per-
fection. There are two varieties of this plant ; one is
much brighter in the colour of the flowers. This is best
grown in a pot with moss, suspended from the roof, close
to the rafters, with a piece of wire round the pot to hang
it up by. This Oncidium is not so easy to grow as many
others. Messrs. Loddiges, of Hackney, cultivate this plant
better than any other grower of Orchids whose collections
I have seen ; they treat them in the way above recom-
mended.

One. hicallosum. — A showy species from Guatemala, a
dwarf plant ; sepal and petals dark drown ; the lip a
bright yellow. This makes a fine plant for winter bloom-
ing, and continues in perfection a long time. It is like
Cavendishii in the flowers and growth.

ONCIDIUMS.

81

One, blcolor, from the Spanish Main, is a fine species,
which hlooms in September. The Hp is very large, of a
deep yellow on the upper side, and almost white under-
neath ; the sepals and petals are yellow, spotted with
crimson. This will thrive on a block of wood suspended
from the roof.

One. Cavendishii, — A magnificent species from Gua-
temala. The large broad leaves of this princely Orchid
are of a rich and lively green ; its bright yellow flowers
are produced in great abundance from strong and branch-
ing spikes, and, by appearing in the dull months of winter,
greatly increase its value. The flowers, even at this season,
retain all their brilliancy for several weeks. It may be
grown on a block or in a pot, but on account of its size
seems to do best in the latter.

One. crispum. — A good species from the Organ Moun-
tains ; a dwarf-growing plant with large flowers ; sepals
and petals a rich coppery colour ; lip the same colour,
with lighter spots in the centre. This generally, blooms
during the autumn, and lasts three or four w^eeks in
beauty : grows best on a block of w^ood.

One. divaricatum. — A small but abundantly-flow^ering
species from Brazil ; its yellow, orange, and brow^n- coloured
flowers are produced on long branching spikes during the
summer months : continues in perfection a long time.
This is a useful plant for exhibition, when well grown :
pot culture is the best.

One. flexuosum. — This is a good old species from Brazil :
producing its showy flowers in abundance on a long spike ;
the blossoms are yellow, slightly spotted with brown:
blooms at different times of the year, and continues bloom-
ing for several weeks. There are two varieties of this
plant; one called major, which has much larger flowers

G

OECHIDS.

than the other, though of the same colour. This is a scarce
Yariety, and is best grovrn in a pot Tvith moss.

One. Forhesii. — A truly handsome dwarf species from
Brazil : the flowers are large and veiy distinct, the colours
being yellow, scarlet, and white : it blooms in November.
This is a very rare plant : the only one I ever saw of it
was in Messrs. Rollisson's collection at Tooting, where it
was growing in a pot with peat.

One. hcEmatochiliim. — A fine new^ species from Xew
Granada. A compact-growing plant, in the same way as
Lance anum ; sepals and petals greenish yellow blotched with
chestnut ; the lip a rich crimson and rose. A scarce Orcliid.

One. incurvwn. — A pretty distinct Orchid from Mexico :
a dwarf species, producing white and red flowers during
the winter : lasts long in beauty, and is best grown in a
pot with peat.

One. Laneeaniim. — A remarkably handsome, distinct
Orchid, from Guyana, with beautiful spotted foHage : the
flowers are large, and are produced on a stiff spike about a
foot or more high ; sepals and petals bright yellow blotched
with crimson ; the lip a lich violet. There are two
yaiieties of this plant; one has the lip almost white: it
blooms during the summer months, lasting four or five
weeks in good condition, if the flowers be kept free from
damp. This is best grown in a pot or basket, with moss or
peat, and makes a splendid plant for exhibition. We
showed one at Chiswick, in 1850, with fourteen spikes on
a single plant.

One, leucochiluyn. — A desirable and distinct species
from Mexico, producing spikes, sometimes as much as ten
feet long ; sepals and petals yellowish green, lip a pure
white : blooming at different times of the year, and lasting
a long time in perfection : best giwn in a pot.

ONCIDIUMS. 83

One. luridiim guttatiim. — A fine species from Jamaica :
it produces long spikes of flowers, which are yellow, brown,
and red in colour : it blooms during the summer months,
continues in perfection a long time, and is best grown in a
pot with peat.

One. imjpilio, major. — A truly magnificent Orchid from
Trinidad : the flowers of this are in the shape of a butterfly :
it continues blooming from the old flower stems for years ;
as soon as one flower fades, another appears in the same
place : the colour of the flowers is rich dark broYvoi, barred
with yellow ; lip very large, with bright yellow in the
centre, and edged with dark brown. This will do either in
a pot or on a block. There are several varieties of iMioilio,
but major is the best.

One. 2'^^^y^'if^^iochiUon. — A very curious species from
Brazil. A compact-growing plant : it produces long branch-
ing spikes in May and June.

One. roseum. — -A pretty small-flowering species from
Honduras : the flower is rose-coloured spotted with red :
blooms at difl'erent times of the year : lasts six weeks in
good condition, and is best grown in a pot with peat.

One. sarcodes. — A fine, new species, with handsome
flowers, from Brazil : it produces its branching spikes of
yellow and crimson flowers during March and April. This
fine species was first flowered in the collection of Mr. Bun-
ney, at the Stratford nursery. A very rare, compact-grow-
ing plant. Mr. B. grows this in a pot with peat.

One. sessile. — A pretty, new species, of compact growth,
from Santa Martha : it produces its slender spikes of yel-
low flowers, spotted in the centre with pale cinnamon
colour: blooms during the spring months. This fine
species was flowered in 1850, by Mr. Iveson, gardener to
the Duke of Northumberland.

One. sjpliacelatum, major. — A good, free-flowering Or-

84

OEGHIDS.

chid, from Honduras, producing its long branching spikes of
flowers in April and May, lasting three or foui' weeks in
beauty. The colour of the flower is yellow, barred with
dark brown : it is best grown in a pot, with peat or moss.

One. unguiculatum, from Guatemala. — A pretty winter-
flowering species : the large yellow flowers are produced
on a long branching spike, three or four feet high, lasting a
long time in perfection : pot-and-peat culture suits it best.

PAPHINIA.

Paphinia cristata, from Trinidad. — The only one of
the genus that I have seen is a pretty, dwarf-growing plant,
about six inches high, with short, shining bulbs, from the
base of which the flowers appear on a short stalk, one or
two together, and droop downwards over the side of the
pot ; sepals and petals dark chocolate colour, tinged with
pui'ple ; lip white, baiTed with purple, and fringed. There
are two varieties of this ; one has much darker coloured
flowers than the other. It is very free in producing its
large flowers at diff^erent times of the year, lasting two or
three weeks in perfection. This is best grown in a pot
with rough fibrous peat, and good drainage, with a liberal
supply of water at the roots duiing the period of growth,
and thrives best in the East India house. It is propagated
by dividing the bulbs.

PERISTERIAS.

A very curious class of Orchids, of which there are
several species, but only three that I can recommend as
worth growing. There is one noble plant in this class,
Peristeria alata, the dove plant, which ought to be in every
collection. These plants throw their flowers from the bot-

PERISTEKIAS PHAJUS.

86

torn of tlieir large bulbs, and will grow in either house ;
the J are best grown in pots, with loam and leaf-mould, with
a good quantity of water during their period of growth j
afterwards give them a good season of rest, and keep them
nearly dry at the roots : if allowed to get wet during their
rest they are apt to rot. They are propagated by dividing
the plants.

Peristeria alata, — A noble Orchid from Panama : a free-
growing species, with leaves three or four feet high, rising
from large bulbs five inches high, and sending up its tall
spikes of white, waxy flowers, in July, August, and Septem-
ber : the central parts of each flower present very striking
resemblance to the figure of a dove. This plant continues
blooming for two months when the spikes are strong.

Feri. cerina, from the Spanish Main : it produces
bunches of yellow flowers close to the bulbs, and blooms in
June or July.

Peri, guttata, from South America. — A curious Or-
chid, which produces its bunches of flowers close to the
bulbs, w^hence they hang over the edge of the pot : the
colours of the flowers are red and yellow. It blooms in
September, lasting two or three weeks in perfection.

PHAJUS.

This is a fine class of terrestrial Orchids, very free in
producing their beautiful spikes of flowers, which are
noble objects when well grown. They are of easy culture,
and will repay attention and care. They are large-growing
plants, with noble foliage : there are not more than three
of this class, that I know of, that are distinct and worth
growing. All need the same treatment, excepting albus.
They all require plenty of heat and moisture at their roots
in their growing season, but the water should not touch

86

OECHIDS.

the young growth. Phajus Wallichii and grandiflorus are
best grown in pots, of large size, with loam, leaf-mould, and
rotten cow-dung, as directed in the remarks on Terrestrial
Orchids. They are propagated by dividing the bulbs after
they have done blooming.

Phajus albus. — This stately Indian plant flowers in
July and August. The blossoms are pure white, the lip
. being pencilled with purple : continues blooming for five
weeks. It is a deciduous species, loses its leaves after the
growth is finished, and is best grown in a pot with rough,
fibrous peat, and good drainage, with a liberal supply of
water at the roots in the growing season. After the growth
is completed it requires a good rest, by being placed in the
cool house, and kept dry, till it begins to grow, when it
should be put into heat, and treated as before. See hints
on Propagation respecting this plant.

PJia. grandifoUus, — This noble evergreen plant comes
from China, grows three feet high, and produces its flower,
spikes one or two feet above the foliage, the colour of the
flowers being white and brown ; and blooms during the
winter and spring months, and lasts long in beauty if in a
cool house. This is a most useful plant for winter bloom-
ing, and a noble plant for exhibition.

Pha. Wallichii, from India. — This is one of the finest
Orchids in cultivation : a large-growing plant, about four
or five feet high, producing long upright spikes of flowers
in March, April, and May. The blossoms are orange-yel-
low in colour, or buff tinged with purple : it will keep
blooming for six weeks. This makes a noble plant for
exhibition. For further notice of these plants, see remarks
on preparing Orchids for travelling.

PHAL.ENOPSIS.

87

PHAL^NOPSIS.

A small, but exceedingly fine genus, of not very large
plants, but bearing magnificent flowers of the most delicate
white. They are compact-growing plants, with rich, beau-
tiful, fleshy, evergreen foliage, and produce their spikes of
flowers from the axils of the leaves. No collection ought
to be without them, as they require very little room, and
are free as well as frequent bloomers. They require to be
grown in the heat of the East India house, with a Hberal
supply of water over their leaves and roots throughout the
summer season ; and even in winter they should always be
kept damp at the roots. Like the Aerides, they require
but little rest, and may be gi'own in pots with sphagnum
moss, in baskets with the same material, also on blocks
without moss, and thrive well under either treatment ; but
they require more attention when grown on blocks, as re-
gards moisture. These plants are difficult to increase,
being very shy in sending out young shoots ; but when
they do, the shoots should be left on the plant till they make
roots ; when they may be parted and placed on separate
blocks in the warmest part of the house, suspended from
the roof, and kept moist.

PJialcBnopsis amahilis. — The queen of Orchids. This
magnificent plant comes from Manilla. . It produces its
graceful spikes of flowers nearly all the year round : the
flowers, each of which is three inches across, are arranged
in two rows down the spike ; sepals and petals pm'e white ;
the lip of the same colour, the inside streaked with rose-
pink. The flowers continue in perfection a long time, if
they are kept free from damp ; if the flowers get wet they
are apt to spot.

Phal(B. grandiflora. — A truly handsome species from
Java. The flowers are produced in the same way as in

88

ORCHIDS.

ajnahilis. The only difference between the two is, that
gramlifiora has much larger flowers, with yellow in the
centre of the lip, instead of pink ; and the leaves are longer,
and of a lighter green. This makes a fine plant for exhi-
bition. We showed a plant at the Chiswick and Regent's
Park Exhibitions, in 1851, with seventy flowers on one
single plant.

PhalcB. rosea, from Manilla. — A small-flowering species,
but very pretty : grows in the same way as the two for-
mer, but very inferior in beauty ; the colour being white,
slightly tinged with pink : the lip deep violet. It blooms
at different times of the year, lasting long in beauty. A
scai^ce Orchid.

PROMEN^AS.

This is a small genus of pretty, little, dwarf-growing
Orchids, about three inches high : they produce their
flowers from the side of theii' bulbs, and hang over the edge
of the pot. They are not very showy plants, but curious,
and ought to be in every collection, and are best grown in
pots Avith peat, in either house, with the same treatment as
Faphinia cristata,

Promencpa Hollissonii, from Brazil : it produces its
pale yellow flowers during the autumn, lasting thi'ee weeks
or more in beauty.

Fro. stapelioides, from Brazil. — The colours of the
flowers are green and yellow : it blooms in July, August,
and September, and lasts long in perfection.

SACCOLABIUMS.

Some of the finest Orchids in cultivation belong to this
class. They are very compact in their growth, with beauti-
ful, long, and pendant evergreen foliage. Their habit of

SACCOLABIUMS.

&9

growth is tlie same as that of the Aerides, and they require
the same heat and treatment. These plants inhabit the
hottest parts of India, and are found growing on the
branches of trees. They produce their long, graceful
racemes of flowers, which are often a foot and a half long,
from the axils of the leaves. They are propagated in the
same way as the Aerides, and are infested by the same sorts
of insects. The following list comprises the best among
this beautiful class of plants. There are several others ;
some of which are not w^orth growing. I have only named
those that are the most beautiful, and which ought to be in .
every collection, however small : they are even handsome
wdthout flowers.

Saccolabium BlumeL — A beautiful distinct species from
Java. It produces its flowers in July and August, w^hich
are violet and white in colour, and last three weeks in per-
fection.

Sac. Blumei, major, — A charming Orchid from Java.
The colours of the flow^ers are the same as Blumei, the dif-
ference between the two consisting in the major having
much larger flowers and finer spikes. The growth of the
plant is also much stronger than Blumei. Messrs. Kollis-
son, of Tooting, having received a great number of plants
of the major from their collector in Java, it is more plenti-
ful than formerly.

Sac. guttatum. — A remarkably handsome species from
India : the finest of the genus. It blossoms from May to
August. The flowers are white, spotted with deep rosy-
purple. It remains three or four weeks in perfection, if
removed to a cooler house, and kept free from damp. There
are two or three varieties of this plant : one is much finer
than the others. The best is called the true guttatum.
This makes one of the finest plants for exhibition. I ob-
served specimens of this plant shown in the year 1850,

90

OECHIDS.

with as many as twenty or twenty-five spikes of flowers on
a plant at one time.

Sac. miniatum. — A pretty, distinct, small-growing Or-
chid from Java. It is not so good as the other species
named, but it is worth growing. It produces its short
spikes of vermilion-coloured flowers in March and April,
lasting three weeks in beauty. This will do well on a
block of wood without moss.

Sac.prmnorsuvi. — A lovely species from Malabar. The
flowers are white, thinly spotted with lilac. It blooms in
May and June : lasts three weeks in perfection. This is
much like guttatum. It also makes a fine exhibition plant.

SCHOMBURGKIA.

Scliomhurgkia tibicinus. — A pretty Orchid from Hon-
duras. There are several species of this class of Orchids,
and some of them very pretty in colour : but they have
two faults ; they are large-growmg and very shy-flowering,
generally producing long spikes with a few flowers at the end.
The one named above is the best : it is more compact in
its growth. The flowers are more than two inches across :
sepals and petals ipmk, spotted with rich chocolate ; the lip
white, v;ith rose colour on the sides. It blooms in May
and June, and will keep flowering for six weeks. This re-
quires to be grown strong before it will flower. It is best
gro^Ti on a block of wood, with a good supply of heat and
moisture in the growing season.

SCUTICARIA.

This is a small genus. I know of only two species :
they have evergreen foliage in the shape of a rush. The
flowers, which are handsome, proceed from the bottom of

SCUTTCARIA SOBBALTAS.

91

the bulb, on a short stalk about two inches high. They
are best grown in the East India house, either on blocks or
in baskets with moss, with a liberal quantity of water at
the roots m the growing season. They are propagated by
dividing the plants just as they begin to grow.

Scuticaria Haclicenii. — A beautiful Orchid with pen-
dulous foliage. This plant is very much like Steelii; the
only difference between the two is, that Hadicenii throws
its flowers more erect, and stands one or two inches
higher. The colours of the flovs^ers are nearly alike. A
very rare plant.

Scu. Steelii. — This is another handsome plant from
Guyana. The foliage of this species is pendulous, three or
four feet long. The flowers are yellow, spotted with
crimson : it produces its blossoms at different times of the
year, lasting a good time in perfection.

SOBRALIAS.

There are some handsome varieties belonging to this
family. Their colours are brilliant, and flowers large.
They are strong, free-growing plants, with evergreen foliage,
and produce their flowers out of a spathe, one at a time,
from the top of the reedy-like stem : they have as many as
six flowers from each spathe ; as soon as one decays another
appears. They will grow either in the East India house
or the Mexican, and thrive best in pots of a large size,
with rough fibrous peat, and about three inches of drainage,
with plenty of water at the roots in the growing season ;
afterwards keep them much drier. When these plants get
too large, turn them out of the pot, and part them, making
two or three young plants, which will soon grow and make
flowering plants. The following are the best of this

92

OECHIDS.

class. There are several others, but they seldom compen-
sate for the room and care they require.

Sobralia liliastruvi. — A distinct species from Guyana;
the flowers are white, and are produced in July and
August, and last but a short time in beauty. There are
two varieties of this, one much better than the other.

Soh. macrantha. — A remarkably handsome Orchid from
Guatemala ; the finest of the genus. The flowers are
large, six inches across, of a beautiful rich purple and
crimson ; blooms during the summer months, and lasts
three days in perfection. This makes a fine plant for
exhibition.

Soh. macrantha, splendens. — A charming variety from
Guatemala, flowering from June to August. It has darker
flowers than macrantha, but not so large.

SOPHRONITIS.

Another small genus of Orchids, and one of them,
grandiflora, very handsome. The others are worth grow-
ing, on account of their not taking up much room ; they
are small, and are best grown on blocks of wood, with a
liberal supply of heat and moisture all the year. They
are 'evergreen, and produce their flowers from the top of
the bulb, and are propagated by dividing the plants just
as they begin to grow.

Sophronitis cernua. — A small-flowering Orchid from
Rio, with small bunches of red flowers, several together.
It blooms during the winter, lasting long in beauty.

Sop. grandiflora. — A truly handsome species from the
Organ Mountains ; the flowers are large, of a beautiful
bright scarlet colour, lasting six weeks or more in per-
fection. It blooms in November and December. This

SOPHRONITIS — STANHOPEA.

93

plant ought to be in every collection. There are two
varieties of this species ; one produces short obtuse leaves,
with exceedingly brilliant-coloured flowers ; the other has
longer leaves and bulbs, but fainter-coloured flowers. The
plant represented in the frontispiece was drawn from one
in Mr. Warner's collection.

Soj:), violacea. — A pretty, distinct species, from the
same country as the former. It produces its violet-coloured
-flowers during the winter months, and lasts long in beauty.

STANHOPEA.

This is rather a large family of Orchids, most of which
have handsome-coloured, waxy-looking, and curiously-formed
flowers, produced from the bottom of the plant on spikes,
several together. The flowers only last a few days. The
bulbs are short, with strong evergreen foliage, about a foot
and a half high. They are of easy culture, and are best
grown with moss in baskets suspended from the' roof;
they require a liberal supply of water in the growing
season : after their growth is completed they are the
better for a good period of rest, during which they should
be kept nearly dry at the roots. They will grow in either
house. The baskets should be made shallow, and open
at the bottom and sides, so that the flowers may easily
find their way through. I shall only name a few of the
best sorts, though there are others worth growing where
room is not an object.

Stanlioioea aiirea, from Guatemala ; the colour of the
flowers is yellow. It blooms during the summer and
autumn months.

Sta. Devoniensis, from Mexico ; the flowers are orange
spotted with red. It blooms during the summer.

94

ORCHIDS.

Sta. grandiflora. — A distinct species from Trinidad;
the flowers are white, and very large. It blooms at dif-
ferent times of the year, and lasts but three days in flower.

Sta. insignis, from Trinidad ; the colour is pale yellow
spotted with red ; the lip nearly white spotted with pm*ple.
It produces its flowers in August and September.

Sta. martiana, from Mexico ; the sepals and petals are
straw-colour spotted with red ; the labellum white. Blooms
during the autumn.

Sta. occulata : comes from Mexico, flowers from July
to November ; the colour of the flowers is pale yeUow
spotted with purple.

Sta. tigrina, from Mexico, the handsomest of the genus ;
the blossoms are very large, a pale yellow barred and
blotched with deep chocolate. It blooms in July, August,
and September.

Sta. tigrina lutescens. — This is also a fine variety from
Guatemala ; the flowers are brilliant yellow, inclining to
orange, and barred vdth deep chocolate. Blooms at the
same time as tigrina. This makes a fine plant for ex-
hibition, on account of its large showy flowers.

TRICHOPELIA.

This is a small genus of Orchids, all of which are
pretty and distinct ; their flowers are very cmious in form,
and are produced from the side of the bulbs. They are
dwarf evergreen plants, and are best grown in pots, with
peat and good drainage, without too much water at the
roots at any time. They will do in either house, and are
propagated by dividing the plant.

Trichojpelia coccinea. — A new species from Central
America. A very distinct plant ; sepals and petals are

TEICHOPELIA UROPEDIUM — - VANDAS.

95

twisted, brownish, with yellow ; the lip of a deep crimson,
with a narrow edge of white. It produces its blossoms in
May and June, lasting three weeks in beauty.

Tri. suavis, — This is also a new species, and very
handsome ; grows in the way of Odontoglossum grande ;
the bulbs and leaves greatly resemble that plant. The
flowers are white spotted with pink. It blooms in March
or April, lasting about two weeks in perfection.

Tri. tortilis. — A fine species from Mexico. The sepals
and petals are twisted like a corkscrew ; they are brown
and pale yellow ; the lip white spotted with red. It pro-
duces its flowers freely at different times of the year, and
lasts two or three weeks in beauty. There are two
varieties of the plant, one with much brighter coloured
flowers than the other.

UROPEDIUM.

Uropedium Lindenii. — A curious new Orchid. I have
not seen this in bloom, but I believe it is one of the most
curious Orchids in cultivation ; there is a long tail extend-
ing from the lip. It grows in the way of Cypripedium cau-
datum^ and requires similar treatment.

VANDAS.

This is a lovely tribe of plants, with magnificent coloured
flowers, some of them very large. There are not many
platits that surpass the Yandas in the beauty of their
flowers. They grow in the same way as the Aerides and
Saccolabiums, having gracefully-formed evergreen foliage ;
the upright spikes, all of which bear large waxy flowers,

96

OBCHIDS.

spiing from the axils of the leaves. They require similar
treatment to the Aerides, being subjected to the same
sort of insects, and are propagated in the same v^^slj.

Vanda Batemanii. — A noble Orchid. A large upright-
growing plant, which blooms in July, August, and Septem-
ber, and continues blooming for three months. The
colour of the flowers is yellow, spotted vdih crimson, the
back of the sepals and petals being rose-colour. A very
rare plant.

Va. ccerulea. — A remarkably handsome and new Orchid
from India. This fine plant produces its upright spikes of
flowers, nine or ten together, five inches across, and be-
tween three or four inches in diameter. The colour of the
flowers is a rich lilac ; they are produced during the spring
months. The honour of having introduced this plafit
belongs to Messrs. Yeitch, of Exeter, who received rit from
their collector, Mr. Thomas Lobb.

Ta, cristata. — A charming Orchid from India; sepals
and petals are whitish ; the lip is spotted and striped with
dark brown ; it produces its flowers from March to July,
lasting in bloom six weeks or two months. This very
scarce Orchid makes a fine plant for exhibition.

Ya. Loicli, from Borneo. — I do not know that this new
species has yet flowered in this country. I believe there
are only two plants in England ; one in the fine collection
of S. Piucker, Esq., and the other in that of Mrs. Law-
rence, of Ealing Park. This rare and choice species was
discovered in Borneo by Mr. Low, son of Mr. Hugh Low,
of Clapton Nursery. Mr. Low is one of the most enter-
prising importers of Orchids, and has introduced some
of the best now in cultivation.

Va, Roxhurghii. — A good old species from India, with
white and purple-coloured flowers, which appear duiing the

VAND AS WARR^A.

97

summer, and last five or six weeks in beauty. There are
two varieties of this plant ; one is much handsomer and
has a darker coloured lip than the other.

Va. suavis. — A truly magnificent Orchid from Java ; a
strong-growing species, and very free in flowering. It
produces branching spikes of flowers, each being large, of
a creamy white, spotted with crimson. It blooms at dif-
ferent times of the year, lasting a long time in perfection.
This is another of Messrs. Veitch's importations. A rare
species, which makes one of the finest plants for exhibition.

Va. teres. — A handsome, curiously-growing, and distinct
Orchid, the ^foliage resembling a rush. It comes from
Sylhet. Its large red and yellow-coloured flowers are
produced from June to August, and last four or five
weeks in beauty. It is rather a shy-flowering species,
and is best kept rather dry during the winter, to make it
flower. It thrives best on a block of wood, the block being
plunged into a pot.

Va. tricolor. — A charming free-growing species from
Java; grows in the same way as suavis; the sepals are
pale yellow spotted with crimson ; lip purple, striped with
white. It blooms at different times of the year, and lasts
long in perfection. There are two or three varieties of this
plant ; some are not so good as others. This also makes a
fine plant for exhibition. Messrs. Kollisson, of Tooting,
have imported a fine stock of this plant from Java.

Va. violacea. — A fine species from Manilla, with violet
lip, the other part of the flower being whitish, with pale
violet spots. It blooms in February, lasting long in beauty.

WAEE^A.

Warrma cyanea, — A very pretty and distinct Orchid
from Columbia. It is an upright-growing plant with ever-

H

98

ORCHIDS.

green foliage, and requires to be grown in a pot, with peat
and good drainage, in the East India house. The colour
of the flowers is white and purple. It blows in June,
lasting a long time in beauty. A rare species. There are
several more of this tribe, but I have not seen them in
bloom.

War. tricolor. — A veiy good species from Brazil. The
flowers are produced on an upright spike, two feet high, in
June and July ; sepals and petals white ; the lip white,
with yellow and purple in the centre : the blossoms last a
long time in perfection, and require the same treatment as
the former one.

ZYGOPETALUM.

This is a handsome tribe of plants with evergreen
foliage. They generally bloom during the winter, which
makes them very valuable. They are rather large-growing
plants, of easy culture, and will do in either house in pots,
with peat and good drainage, and plenty of water at the
roots. They are propagated by dividing the plants.

Zygopetalum hracliypetalum, from Brazil. — This is one
of the handsomest of the species, having brownish sepals
and petals; a little marbled with green and a deep blush
violet; lip veined with white. It blooms in December,
lasting long in perfection.

Zy. crinitum cerulea. — A handsome variety from Brazil.
It produces upright spikes, sometimes two from the same
bulb, and bears beautifully variegated flowers during the
winter. The sepals and petals are green, barred with
brown; the lip is white or cream-coloured, streaked with
bright blue.

Zy. intermedium, from Brazil. — It produces green and
blue blossoms during the autumn, and continues in per-
fection four or five weeks.

ZYGOPETALUM.

99

Zy. Mackayii. — A handsome Brazilian plant. It pro-
duces long spikes of large flowers during the winter. The
colour of the flowers is greenish yellow, spotted with
brown and lilac. There are several varieties of this plant ;
some much finer than others. It lasts in perfection a long
time.

Zy. maxillare. — A free-flowering, pretty species from
Brazil, producing its drooping spikes at different times of
the year, and keeping in beauty a long time. We have
bloomed this species with seventy flowers on a plant at
one time ; sepals and petals greenish colour, based with
chocolate ; the lip a rich blue.

Zy, rostratum. — A showy compact species from Deme- -
rara. A free-flowering plant ; sepals and petals yellowish
green ; lip white striped with pink, and two inches across.
This plant blooms three times a-year, and lasts six weeks
in perfection. It requires more heat and moisture than
any of the other species.

100

VARIEGATED ORCHIDS.

Variegated Orchids,

Orchids, as \Yell as most other orders of the vegetable
kingdom, have their variegated species, and in these, as
well as among other variegated plants, the flowers are
generally small and unattractive, as compared with the
novelty and charm of their foliage. The genus Ansecto-
chilus is one of the most remarkable of these. The plants
are dwarf in habit, but perfect in form, and exceedingly
beautiful ; their height vaiies from two to four or six inches,
and their leaves, which are well defined, and generally ob-
tuse in form, vary from tAvo to four inches in length,
including the stalk, which, like the stem of the plant, is
short and fleshy. The foliage of all the species is remark-
ably singular and beautiful, on some of the varieties,
resembling the richest olive or almost purple-coloured
velvet, veined in regular lines, or covered with a net-work
of gold. In other species the colour of the leaf is rich and
lively green, marked with silver tracing over its entire sur-
face. The plants require to be grown in sand mixed with
moss; and the white ground from which they spring,
enlivened occasionally by the small growth of the moss
on the surface, exhibits the plants themselves to the best
possible advantage, especially as they require to be grown
beneath bell-glasses ; seen under which, the delicacy, rich-
ness, and softness of the appearance of the whole plant is
increased. Very few visitors walk through an Orchid house
containing any of these plants, without bestowing on them

VARIEGATED ORCHIDS.

101

more than ordinary attention, and expressing admiration of
their elegance, richness, and beauty.

The flowers are produced on short upright spikes ; but
as the blossoms are small, and often injure the plant, I
always nip' them off as soon as they appear.

The whole genus must receive a different sort of treat-
ment from any of the other Orchids. They are best grown
in pots under bell-glasses, in the heat of the East India house,
in a shady part. I grow them in sphagnum moss chopped
into small pieces, with some river sand mixed well together.
Silver sand will answer the same pm^pose. I have grown
them in both with good drainage. These plants do not
require large pots to grow^ in, as they do not root freely :
they succeed best in a small pot plunged into a larger one,
so that the bell-glass fits the outside pot, which will afford
space for the leaves to grow within the glass. They requke
fresh potting once every year, and I have found the month
of Februaiy or beginning of March the best time. The
plants should be elevated above the rim of the pot one or two
inches ; and during their season of growth they require an
abundance of water at the roots, especially dming the sum-
mer season. In winter they only need just enough to keep
the material a little damp ; and they require but a short
season of rest. The bell-glasses must always be^iept over
them, and should be perfectly clean inside ; for if the glasses
are allowed to become dirty, the plants will not thrive.

Anaectochiluses are propagated by cutting the plants
into pieces, with a root attached to each piece : when there
is only a single stem, the plant should be cut off just
below the first root, and put in a small pot, with the ma-
terial before named ; after the top of the plant has been
thus removed, leave the bottom part of the plant in the
pot with the bell-glass over it, and it will soon throw up a
young shoot, which must be left on till it has formed roots ;

102

VARIEGATED OPwCHIDS.

then cut it off from the old piece, and treat it in the same
way as the part first removed, leaving the old piece in the
pot, which will throw up again, and form another plant. I
have raised many plants in this way from the old stocks.
I have heard that they may be propagated by a process
similar to that employed for increasing Gloxinias, viz.
taking the leaves off and putting tbem in silver sand,
under bell-glasses ; but I have never tried that way my-
self. It is, however, worth a trial ; and if they can be so
raised, it will make them more plentiful, as some of them
are very scarce plants at present.

The following list contains all that I have seen in cul-
tivation.

AncBctochilus argentem. — The commonest of the genus;
very free-growing species, with bright, clear, green foliage,
and silver-coloured markings. This is a very distinct
plant, and of remarkably easy culture.

AncB. intermedius. — A very pretty species in the way of
setaceus, but not so handsome. It grows about the same
height. The foliage is smaller and less pointed than in
argenteus, with a surface resembling a soft silky substance.
Its colour is of dark olive, striped and veined with gold.

AncB. Lowii. — A charming species from Borneo; the
finest of all the genus : grows six inches high, with leaves
four inches long and three broad, resembling very much
the finest kinds of velvet. Their colour is rich dark green,
shading off to mellow orange-brown, intersected from the
stalk to the point by well-defined lines of a deep golden
colour, and crossed by bars or lines of the same attractive
hue. This remarkable and valuable species has been but
recently introduced to this country. It was imported by
Mr. Hugh Low, of the Clapton Nurseries, who received it
from his son, at present a resident in Borneo, and who sent
home, at the same time, an interesting account of his

AN^CTOCHILUS C YPRIPEDIUM.

103

journey into the interior of the country, to explore a re-
markahle cavern of extraordinary form and considerable
extent, and near one of the openings to which he found
a plant or two of this rare and beautiful species.

AncB. Lohbii. — This is not so attractive as some of the
kinds, but it is worth growing, for it is very distinct. The
foliage is much darker, with light-coloured markings. Very
rare.

AncB. maculatus. — A beautiful species in the way of
argenteus; the only difference being, that the foliage of
maculatus has a more silvery appearance. A scarce plant.

AncB. setaceus. — A remarkably handsome species : grows
four inches high, with foliage tw^o inches long, resembling
in colour beautifully rich dark velvet, covered with golden
net- work.

AncB. striatus. — ^A very distinct species, much smaller-
growing than any of the others, with narrow green foliage,
and a white mark down the centre of each leaf. This
species is very rare.

AncB. xantliojjhylhis. — A lovely species ; grows four
inches high, with foliage more than tw^o inches long. The
leaves are velvety, dark in colour, with a broad orange and
green stripe down the centre, covered with beautiful golden
net-work.

CyiJrijjedium Javanicum. — This plant has beautifully
variegated foliage : the flowers are not much, but it is worth
grooving on account of its leaves. Messrs. Eollisson, of
Tooting, who imported this species, have some fine plants of
it. It requires the heat of the East India house, and is
best grown in a pot with peat and good drainage.

Goodyera spe. — A beautiful but un-named species,
which I saw lately at Messrs. Rollissons, and which has
been but recently imported. The plant was four or five
inches high ; the leaves comparatively large, being about

104

VAKIEGATED OBCHIDS.

four inches long and two or three broad, and bearing a
strong resemblance to AncBctochilus argenteus, the mark-
ings being similar, but the green darker, and the surface
less glossy.

Hhophastemma discolor. — A fine new species, mth hand-
some foliage, nearly circular in form, three or four inches
across : the leaves are of a pinkish red, covered over with
small hairs ; and the plant has growTii well in a pot with
peat in the East India house. This singular plant was
received by Messrs. RoUisson from their collector in Java.

INDEX.

PAGE

Ansellia

o(\ Africana . . .84

ACINETA

Barkerii .
Humboldtii . . 27

Aeeides

Affine ... 29
Crispum ... 29
Crispmn pallidum . 29
Larpentse ... 29
Maculosum . . 29
Maculosum, var. Schro-

derii . . .30
Odoratum . . 30
Odoratum, var. major 30
Quinquevulnemm . 30
Roseum . . .31
Suarissima . . 31
Virens ... 31

Aganisia

Pulchella ... 31

An^ctochilus

Argentens . .102

Intermedius . . 102

Lowii . . .102

Lobbii . . .103

Maculatus . . 103

Setaceus . . . 103

Striatus . . . 103

Xanthophyllus . . 103

Angr^cum

Bilobum ... 32

Caudatum . . 32

Ebumeum . . 32

Anguloa

Clowesiana . . 33
Ruckerii ... 33
Uniflora . . .33
Uniflora, spotted var. 33

Baekeeia

Melanocaulon . . 35

Lindleyana . . 35

Skinnerii . . .35

Spectabilis . . 35

Bletia

Campanulata . . 36

Shepherdii . . 36

Patula . . . 36

BOLBOPHYLLUM

Barbigerum . . 37

Henshallii . . 37
Saltatorium . . . 37
Beassavola

Digbyana . . .38

Glauca . . .38

Beassia

Lanceana . . 38

Lawrenciana . . 39

Maciilata, major . 39

Verrucosa . . .39

Wrayse . . .39

Beoughtonia

Sanguinea . . 39

BUELINGTONIA

Candida ... 40
Fragrans ... 40
Knowlesii ... 40
Yenusta ... 40

Calanthe

Fur cat a . . . 41

Masuca . . .42

Veratrifolia . . 42

Vestita . . .42

Camaeotis

Purpurea . . . 43
T

106

INDEX.

PAGE

Cattleya

Aclandi£e . . .45

Aiiiethystina . . 45
Bicolor . . .45

Candida . . . 45

Citrina . . . 46

Crispa ... 46

Elegans ... 46

Granulosa . . 46

Cxranulosa Leopoldiana 46

Gruttata ... 47

Haiiisonige . . 47

Intermedia ^'iolacea . 47

Labiata . . . 47 I

Loddigesii . . 48

Marginata . . 48

Mossiae ... 48

Pumila ... 49

Skinnerii ... 49

Superba ... 49

Yiolacea ... 49

Walkeiiana . . 49

Chysis

Aurea . . .50

Bractescen* . . 50
Lsevis . . .51

CCELOGYNE

Cristata . . . 52

Cumingii . . .52

Gardneriana . . ^'2

Lowii . . .52

Maculata . . .52

Speciosa . . . 58

Wallichiana . . 5.1 \

COEYA^'THES

Macrantlia . . 54

Maculata . . .54

Speciosa ... 54

Cycnoche

Barbatum . . .55

Chlorochilion . . 55

Loddigesii . . 55

Pentadactylon . . 55

Yentricosum . . 55

Cymbidium

Ebiu-neum . . 56

Giganteum . . 56

Mastersii ... 56

Pendulmn . . 56

PAGE

Cypeipedium

Barbatum . . 57

Caudatum . . 57
Insigne . . .57

Javanicum . . 108

Lo\m ... 58

Pm-puratum . . 58

Desceiptiox of Me. Wae-
NEE's House, Mode or
Heatixg, Shading, Yen-

TILATIOX, &c. . . 9

Dendeobitm

Adimcum ... 59

Aggregatum . . 60

Alba sanguineum . 60

Album ... 60

Calceolarea . . 60

Cambridge anum . 60

Chrys anthem . . 61

Chrvsotoxum . . 61

Cretaceum . . 61

Dalliousianum . . 61

Densiiiorum . . 61

Devonianum . . 62

Parmeiii ... 62

Fimbriatum . . 62

Formosum . . 62
Gibsonii . . .68

Hevnianum . . 68
Jenkinsii . . .68

Macrophyllum . . 68

Moniliforme . . 68

Moschatum . . 64

Nobile ... 64

Paxtonii ... 64

Pierardii ... 64

Pierardii latifolium . 64

Pulchellum pm-pm-eum 65

Sanguinolentum . 65

Transparens . . 65

Toitilis ... 65

Triadenium . . 65

Wallichianum . . 65

Diseases oeKot in Oechids 21

Epedendeum

Alatum major . . 67
AlifoHimi . . .67

Aurantiacum . . 67

Bicomutum . . 68

INDEX.

107

PAGE i

Epidendeum

Cinnabarinum . . 68

Crassifolium . . 68

Hanburyanum . 68

Macrochilum . . 68

Macrochilmn roseum 69

Phoeniceum . . 69

Stamfordianum . 69

Varicosum . . 69

Yitellinum . . 60

Yitellinum major . 69

Galeandea

Bauerii ... 70

Devoniana . . 70

(.tOODYEEA

Discolor . . .70

Species . . . 104

HUNTLEYA

Meleagris . . 71
Violacea . . .71

Wailesiae . . 71

Insects ... 19

L^LIA

Acuminata . . 72

Albida superb a , 72
Anceps . . .72

AutumnaHs . . 72

Cinnabarina . . 73
Flava . . .73

Fm-furacea . . 73

Perrinii ... 73
Majalis . . .73

Superbiens . . 73
Leptotes

Bicolor ... 74

Serrulata ... 74

Lycaste

Cruenta . . .75

Deppii > . . 75

Skinnerii ... 75

Making Baskets . . 24

Material foe potting

Teeeesteial Oechids 7

MrLTONIA

Candida . . .76

Candida grandiflora . 76

Clowesii, major . . 76

PAGE

Miltonia

KanWnski . . 76

Morelii . . .76

Spectabilis . . 76

Mode of potting Epi-
phytes ... 5

Mode of peoducing Back
Beeaks . . .24

moemodes

Citrinum . . .77
Luxatum . . .77

Odontoglossum

Citrosmum . . 78

Grande ... 78

Hastilabium . . 78

Insleajdi ... 78

Membranaceum . 78

Nsevium ... 79

Pulchellum . • . 79

Eossii ... 79
Warneiii . . .79

Oncidium

Ampliatum, major . 80

Barkerii ... 80

Bicallosum . . 80
Bico'or . . .81

Bifolium ... 80

Cavendishii . . 81

Crispum ... 81

Divaricatum . . 81

Flexuosum . . 81

Forbesii ... 82

Haematochilum . 82

Incunaim . . 82

Lanceanum . . 82

Leucochilum . . 82

Luridum guttatum . 83

Papilio, major . . 83

Phymatochilion . 83
Eoseum . . .83

Sarcodes ... 83

Sessile ... 83

Sphacelatmn, major . 83

Unguiculatum . . 84

Paphinia

Cristata . . .84

Peeiod of Geowth . 2

I

108 INDEX.

Peristeria

x^lata . . .85

Cerina ... 85

Guttata ... 85

Phajus

Albus . . .86

Grandifolius . . 86

WalHchii ... 87

Phamnopsis

Amabilis . . .87
Grandiflora . .87

Rosea ... 88

Promenjea

EoUissonii . . 88

Stapelioides . . 88

Propagation ... 22

piemarks on preparing

Plants for Show . 14

Rhophastemma

Discolor . . .104

Saccolabium

Blumei ... 89

Blumei, major . . 89

Guttatiim . . 89

Miniatum . . 90

Prsemorsum . . 90

SCHOMBURGKEA

Tibicinus ... 90

SCUTICARIA

Hadwenii . . 91

Steelii ... 91

SOBRALIA

Liliastrum . . 92

Macrantha . . 92

Macrantha, splendens 92

SOPHRONITIS

Cernua ... 92

Grandiflora . . 92
Violacea . . .93
Stanhope A

Aurea ... 93

Devoniensis . . 93

Grandiflora . . 94

Insignis ... 94

PAGE

Stanhopea

Martiana . . 94
Occulata ... 94
Tigrina ... 94
Tigrina lutescens , 94

Treatment of imported
Orchids . . . h

Treatment of Plants in
Bloom . . .12

Treatment of Plants pre-
viously TO being taken
to a Flower-Show . 14

Treatment during Time
OF Best ... 17

Trichopelia

Coccinea . . .94

Suavis . . .95

Tortilis . . . 95

Tropical Orchids . . 4

Uropedium

Lindenii . . . 95
Vanda

Batemanii . . 9t)
Coerulea ... 96

Cristata . . . 9(5

Lowii . . .96

Roxburghii . . 96

Suavis . . .97
Teres ... 97

Tricolor . . .97

Violacea . . .97

Variegated Orchids . 100

WARR.EA

Cyanea . . . 97

Tricolor . - . 98

Water and Temperature 3

Zygopetalum

Brachypetalum

. 98

Crinitum cerulea

. 98

Intermedium

. 98

Macka}ii .

. 98

Maxillare .

. 99

Ro stratum

. 99

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