IRLF

5B 3CH D25

THE

ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

1

THE

ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL

CONTAINING BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS
OP

UPWARDS XOF FOUR HUNDRED AND FORTY
ORCHIDACEOUS PLANTS,

TOGETHER WITH

NOTICES OF THEIR TIMES OF FLOWERING AND MOST APPROVED MODES OF TREATMENT

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.

BENJAMIN SAMUEL WILLIAMS, F.B.H.S.,

PARADISE NURSERY, HOLLOW AY, LONDON, N. ;

AUTHOR OF "HINTS ON THE CULTIVATION OF FERNS," &c., <fec.

SECOND EDITION.

LONDON :
CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193, PICCADILLY.

1862.

LONDON :
BRADBURY AND EVANS, PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.

TO

CHARLES BORHAM WARNER, ESQ.,

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF LONDON,

ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED

BY

HIS OBEDIENT SERVANT,

B. S. WILLIAMS.

M3755S6

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

IT is just ten years since I first published the " Orchid
Grower's Manual," to which the remarks in the preface
to the first edition relate. At that time it contained an
enumeration of all the species known to me to he good
and showy. In the following pages I have added many
new and beautiful introductions that have been made to
Orchids generally within the last few years. I may take
this opportunity also of saying, that in bringing a Second
Edition of this work before the public, it gives me great
pleasure to know that the first issue has been the means of
promoting and increasing the cultivation of this glorious
class of plants, and that I have had ample assurances
that some hundreds of cultivators have found my efforts
useful. Indeed, repeated solicitations from all parts of
the country have chiefly induced me to bring out a fresh
edition, which I hope will be found even more valuable
than the first. I have endeavoured to make it as plain
as possible, in order that persons even with limited

viii PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION.

acquaintance of the management of Orchids might
understand it. More than fifty pages of new matter
have been added, containing minute details as to all the
more important wants of cultivators. I have also care-
fully described all new varieties proved by me to be
worth growing — whether for purposes of exhibition or
for those of private cultivation. Curiosities of mere
botanical interest have been omitted, my study having
been to give a good list of such kinds as have handsome
flowers, or are otherwise ornamental in the way of fine
foliage ; let me hope, therefore, that the present edition
may be received with as much approbation and prove
even more satisfactory than the first.

B. S. WILLIAMS.

PARADISE NURSERY, HOLLOWAY, N.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

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
"Gardeners' Chronicle," in which publication they
appeared under the title of " Orchids for the Million. "
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.
"Warner, and who kindly, from time to time, gave me

x PREFACE TO THE

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

FIRST EDITION. xi

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 Robert Peel) is also within the means of
the humblest gardener ; and those who refer to Mr.
Rivers' account in the Chronicle 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. Yeitch, Rollisson, &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 (i. e., pre-
vious to 3848), obtained 23 gold and 12 silver medals

xii PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION.

for Orchids, and 14 silver ones for Ferns. Mr. Warner's
collection 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 oppor-
tunity 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.

B. S. W.

THE

ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL,

INTRODUCTION.

THE nature and habits of Orchidaceous plants are now
better known than they were some few years ago, and we
have become better acquainted with the conditions under
which they grow 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 high,
and the air moist nearly to saturation. To grow Orchids in
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 light : this is
essential, except in the case of some few species which require
shading, to prevent the plants being exposed to the direct
action of the sun's rays, which are apt to scorch the leaves.
Great heat and moisture are only necessary while the plants
are in vigorous growth, and this period should be during
spring and summer, the best season of rest being from about
November till February : and it is the long period of rest
which predisposes the plants to blossom. Of course, rules

2 THE OBCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

as regards growth and rest can only be stated in general
terms. There are certain kinds which are never entirety
inactive 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 dormant
season corresponds with that at which the largest numbers
go to rest.

Directions for the Period of Growth.

When the growing season commences, raise the tempera-
ture 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 permitted 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 temperature may be allowed to increase ;
and during 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 moisture in the air, so that wherever
any plants are growing, the atmosphere should be well
supplied with moisture : this is obtained by pouring water
over the tables, walls, and paths of the house 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 vigorous state of growth,
especially as regards the East Indian Orchids, such as Aerides,

WATER. 3

/Saccolabiums, Vandas, Phalcenopsis, Dendrobiums, 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 also
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 the peat moist in which
the plants are grown. As they advance 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 rise frequently 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 injury to the plants. The house should be dried up
once a day, if possible, by means of ventilation. In syring-
ing, be 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 woods should be syringed twice a-day in the summer

B 2

4 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

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 getting 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, that is, they
grow in earth ; the genera Phajus, Calanthe, JBletia, 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, and some
of them delight in elevated situations in lofty forests.
Others, again, grow upon low trees, some on rocks and
mountains, some on trees overhanging rivers, and some
near dripping rocks. The latter, of course, require a par-
ticularly damp atmosphere to grow in ; others are found
in dense 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
is essential to the careful grower, in order 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
success in the culture of some Orchidaceous plants, by
even the most successful of our cultivators, is to be attri-
buted.

MODE OF POTTING AND MATERIALS TO BE USED. 5

Mode of Potting and the Materials to be used.

When the season of rest is over, many kinds will require
re-potting, 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 require potting should
be top-dressed with good fibrous peat, removing the old soil
from the top without breaking the roots 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 cover-
ing those in which Orchids are growing. Previously to
potting the plants, they should not receive any water for four
or five days. Some, however, should be potted at a period
somewhat later, viz., just as they begin to grow. All the
species ofPhajus, Calanthe, Dendrolium, /Stanhopea, Cyrtopo-
dium, Brassia, Miltonia, Sobralia, Bletia, Oncidium, and many
others, require this treatment. Lcelias, Cattleyas, Saccola-
biums, 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
be well drained ; the best material for drainage is potsherds
or charcoal. Before potting, be particular to have the pots
perfectly clean inside and out, and the broken potsherds
should be washed : after this is done, select a pot according
to the size of the plant ; do not give too much pot room.
Some plants require shifting once a year, while it may not
be necessary to shift others oftener than once in two or three
years ; but if a plant becomes 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 re-pot it, not giving it much water till it begins to make

6 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

fresh roots. The best pots are those in ordinary 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, for
if not attended to the water will become 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-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 potted I fix a
stick in the centre of the plant to keep it firm. In shifting,
carefully shake off all the old soil you can without injuring
the roots, and be careful not to give too much water at first ;
but after the plants begin to make more root, they may have
a good supply. The best material for those in baskets is
sphagnum 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, pro-
bably, the plant will require shifting into a larger one. There

TREATMENT OF FRESH-IMPORTED PLANTS. 7

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 require wood to grow upon should have
live 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 the atmosphere. In fastening
them firmly on the blocks, have some copper nails and drive
them into the block : then, with copper wire, secure 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.

Material for Terrestrial Orchids.

These require a stronger compost than epiphytal kinds.
They should be potted just when they begin to grow, after
the resting season ; they do not need so much drainage as
epiphytes. The compost I use for them is turfy loam
chopped into pieces about the size of a walnut, leaf-mould or
peat, and a little rotten cow or horse-dung ; these should be
all mixed 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 rough peat, and finish with the
compost just mentioned ; place the plant one inch below the
rim of the pot ; water sparingly at first, but when the young
growths are about six inches high, they may have a good
supply.

Treatment of Fresh-imported Plants.

When unpacked these should be sponged over — every leaf
and bulb — and all the old decayed parts removed. There

8 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

are many insects that harbour about them, such as the cock-
roach, and different kinds of scale, which are great pests.
When clean they should be laid on dry moss and placed in
some shady part of the house where it is rather cool and
dry. Too much light, heat, and moisture at first is injurious
to them. The moss should be gradually 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 being-
dangerous.

As soon as they begin to grow, 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 regions should
be kept in the coolest part of the house, and they should
not be allowed to stand under drip, as this frequently rots
the young shoots as soon as they appear. Such plants as
Vandas, Saccolabiums, Aerides, Angrcecums, Phalcenopsis, are
fastened on blocks as soon as they are received, and I place
them so that the plants hang downwards, in order that no
water may lodge about them, till they begin to grow and
form new roots : this is much the safest mode of treating
these valuable Orchids.

ADVICE TO COLLECTORS.

THERE are many different ways of importing Orchids to
this country. I have seen some that have arrived in good
condition while others have been completely destroyed by
not being properly prepared before starting. The first and
most important thing is to send the plants away at the
proper time ; the next thing is to prepare them for their
journey. My opinion is, that the plants should be sent away
from their native country during the dry season, which is

ADVICE TO COLLECTORS. 9

when they are at rest. While inactive their leaves contain
little sap ; but if sent away when they are growing, the
foliage is tender and in danger of being bruised, a circum-
stance which accelerates decay on their journey ; another
fact in favour of dormant importation is that, if sent in a
growing state or just as they are starting into growth, the
young shoots come weak and dwindling, and very often die
outright as soon as exposed to light. I have seen many a
fine mass of Cattleyas with all their leading growths com-
pletely rotten, of course lessening the plants in value com-
pared with such as arrive perfect and are just ready to start
into growth as soon as they get into a warm house. Plants
with pushing pseudo-bulbs are also apt to lose their leading
eyes, an accident fatal to some Orchids, for many do not
break well from old bulbs. Aerides, Saccolabiums, Vandas,
Angrcecums, and similar plants that have no fleshy bulbs to
support are best imported after they have become esta-
blished on flat pieces of wood, so that they can be nailed to
the sides of their travelling cases. I received some from
Manilla last spring, including Phalcenopsis Schilleriana,
P. rosea, P. amabilis, P. Lobbi, Aerides quinquevulnerum,
and Vanda violacea, all established and sent off in the way
just described ; these had evidently been growing some time
before starting for this country, for their roots firmly adhered
to the wood and many of their leaves were as green as
though they had been in an Orchid House instead of a
glass-topped case. One point of importance is to take care to
well secure the plants to the sides of the cases ; because, if
allowed to roll about, they get bruised and soon rot, which
is very vexing after all the trouble and expense bestowed in
importing them. In the case of Phalcenopsis tSchilleriana,
received last spring, some of the pieces of wood had become
loose, rolling about during the journey and causing injuries ;
if, therefore, you find a leaf bruised, the best way is to cut it
off at once before decay begins ; for if allowed to go on, there

10 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

will be danger of the whole plant being destroyed. With
the cases just alluded to I had also a close box filled
with Phaloenopsis packed in the dry bark of trees, which
I consider a bad material for such tender-leaved plants ;
when I unpacked this box there was not a green leaf to
be seen, the shaking of the long journey, combined with
the rough material just named, had destroyed all the foliage.
If these had been packed in very dry soft moss they would
most likely have come safe. I have received plants in good
condition from India in close boxes packed in dry soft
shavings, while on the other hand I have also seen many
spoiled in that way. The cause of failure I attribute to
their not being packed in a proper state ; the plants them-
selves, as well as the material employed, should be well dried
before packing, and care should be taken to avoid bruises,
which often prove fatal. Cattleyas and plants with similar
pseudo-bulbs I have received in close boxes from the Bra-
zils packed in dry shavings, and have found them, when
opened, in good condition; but care had evidently been
taken to pack then firmly in the boxes, so that they did not
roll about on their journey.

The best time of year for receiving Orchids in this country-
is, if possible, the spring, in order that they may have the
summer before them to get established.

With Anoectochili the best way is to tie some moss round
their roots and stems to keep them firm, leaving the
foliage just above the moss, and they should occupy a
small case by themselves : these little things are very
tender, therefore they require a great deal of care to keep
them right. On arrival, pot them in some dry soil (see
Ancectochili), and put them in a close place with little heat
at first, until they begin to grow ; afterwards pot them in
small pots, and place them under hand-glasses or in a
frame, giving them the treatment usually recommended for
this class of plant.

ORCHID HOUSES. 11

Cases in which Orchids are sent home ought to be made
strong, and roofed with good stout glass not easily broken ;
for I have often seen plants spoiled by the glass being
fractured. Through an accident of this kind, salt water and
cold air get in, both of which are very injurious. All cases
should be air and water-tight ; and to prevent the glass
being broken, the best thing to place over it is some strong
iron wire ; the sash bars ought also to be made very strong :
and the case must not be too near heated surfaces or fires
in the vessel. I have seen many boxes of plants spoiled by
positions of that kind, the leaves being completely dried up.
They ought to be placed in as warm a situation as you can,
but by no means near any fires.

ORCHID HOUSES.

A HOUSE most suitable for the culture of Orchids is the
first thing to be considered. In my opinion the best houses
are those with span roofs facing east and west. They should
not be more than ten or eleven feet high in the centre,
seventeen or eighteen feet wide, and about sixty feet long,
with a glass division in the centre to separate them into
two houses — one for plants that come from the East Indies,
which ought to be next the boiler, the other for those that
come from cooler regions. There ought to be upright sashes
on both sides of the house with glass from twelve to fifteen
inches high, but not to open. Many Orchid growers object
to side sashes and generally recommend brickwork up to
the spring of the roof : but that is not, in my opinion, the
best plan ; on the contrary, I would advise any one about
to build an Orchid house to have upright sashes on both
sides and at each end. From experience I have found
that Orchids cannot have too much light, which is the

12 THE OECHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

only way to get good strong ripe pseudo-bulbs fit for flower-
ing. Small houses are best : in different parts of the country
there exist large houses, but in no instance have I seen
plants growing well in them ; such houses take great heat
to keep them at the proper night temperature, and after
all, they seem ill adapted to the wants of the plants. I
would advise all large Orchid houses to be pulled down or
turned to other purposes, and their places occupied by small
ones ; the expense of the operation would soon be saved in
the reduction that would take place in the cost of pipe and
fuel.

The house at this place is of the size recommended above,
and no Orchid house could answer better. It has been built
about seven years, and is well worth inspection. It affords
plenty of room for the plants to show themselves to advantage,
and it has likewise roomy paths, which is a great recommen-
dation ; for nothing is more unpleasant than not being able
to inspect the plants with comfort. The inside dimensions
of my house are as follows : — it is sixty feet long, eleven feet
high in the centre, with a glass division, making as it were
two houses. The width is eighteen feet ; there is a table
six feet wide up the centre, and a path all round three feet
wide j there are side-tables three feet wide, covered with
slate. The floor is concreted, three inches thick, and then
covered with Portland cement, which forms a capital surface.
The whole is heated with hot water, in three rows of four-
inch pipes on each side, having valves to stop or turn-on the
water as required. The boiler is an improved saddle, which
answers well, and when properly set, as mine is, not easily
beaten. This same boiler works two other large houses, one
of which is fifty feet, and the other seventy feet long, and all
are kept at stove heat. On both sides of this house are
upright sashes, as recommended above. It is glazed in the
same way as is recorded in my remarks on glazing (see next
page), and it has four ventilators on each side close to the

HEATING— GLAZING. 13

hot-water pipes in the brickwork, and one at the end over
the doorway. The top lights are fixed.

Heating.

With respect to this, nothing is better than hot water in
four-inch pipes ; it is also better to have plenty of piping
than to have too little ; there is nothing saved by economy
of that kind ; better spend a little more money for material
at first than have to add afterwards ; by having plenty of
pipe you do not require so much fire-heat, which is better
for the plants, and you save the expense in fuel in a very-
short time. I should, therefore, advise four pipes instead of
three ; by having four, you do not require to drive the fire
so much on a frosty night. I never use steam ; I find that
I can get plenty of moisture without it, by pouring water on
the tables and paths, which I consider much better than so
much steam poured on the plants direct from rusty pipes or
tanks. The boiler should be outside of the house. I have
seen them set underneath, which I think bad. I remember
going to see a collection of Orchids where the boiler was so
situated. The gentleman said he had put it there to econo-
mise heat, and the plants were growing very finely at the
time. I remarked that I should be afraid of smoke getting
into the house ; he replied, there is no fear of that, for I
have got the boiler well covered over. Only a few months
afterwards I went to see the same collection, the smoke had
got into the house, and had spoiled many of his plants. I
merely mention this to show the ill effects of a boiler being
set so that smoke can get into the house. When outside
there is no fear of such a disaster.

Glazing.

The laps here are very close ; the squares are two feet six
inches long by nine inches in breadth ; the glass in the
upright sashes at the sides is fourteen inches long by nine

14 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

inches wide ; twenty-one oz. glass is best, not being easily-
broken. I remember seeing an Orchid house after a hail-
storm much injured, a large portion of its valuable contents
being nearly spoiled. The glass used in this instance was
only sixteen oz., while, if it had been twenty-one oz., it would
most likely have withstood the storm. I should recommend
twenty-one oz. glass, or even more, as not being likely to get
broken by cleaning or otherwise. Too large squares are bad,
being apt to get broken by frost. The upright glass at the
sides ought to be of the size stated above, to correspond with
that in the roof and also in the ends and the door ; the sash
bars should have a small groove down them to carry drip to
the bottom, in order to prevent it dropping on the plants ;
even small pieces of zinc nailed to the bars serve to form a
sort of gutter to carry off drip.

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 provided 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 four ventilators on each side, two to each house.
The ventilating shutters are made of wood, about two feet
long, one foot wide ; sliding slate ventilators answer perhaps
better : there should be one glass ventilator at the south end
near the roof, and one at the north end, as the top lights of
the house are best not made to slide.

/Shading.

Every Orchid-house requires to be shaded. The best ma-
terial is canvas, and there should be blinds on each side, with
a strong lath at the top to nail the canvas to, and a roller
at the bottom. The canvas must be nailed to the roller, but

TREATMENT OF PLANTS IN FLOWER. 15

care should be taken in doing this that the awning rolls up
regularly from bottom to top. I never, however, allow the
canvas to be down, except when the sun is powerful, for I
find that too much shade is injurious to most kinds of Or-
chids. 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 canvas when rolled up, in order to keep it
from wet.

Cisterns.

Slate cisterns, for collecting water which falls on the roof,
are very important in a house. Cisterns on each side over
the hot-water pipes keep the water at the same temperature
as that of the house. If there is not room for the slate
cistern on the pipes, have one sunk in the middle of the
house. Cement tanks sunk in the house also answer the
same purpose.

Treatment of Plants in Flower, and the best Mode of
protracting their Bloom.

There are many Orchids that may be removed when in
flower to a much cooler house than that in which they are
grown, or even to 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 flowers 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 this treat-
ment. Some imagine, that if they are put in a cool place
they will be injured ; but this, in my experience, has not
occurred. During the time they are in a room, the tempera-

16 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

ture 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 mois-
ture.

The following are a few that I have tried in a room during
the months of May, June, July, and August. I have kept
Saccolabium guttatum in this way five weeks, Aerides affine
the same time ; A. odoratum, A. roseum, and some of the
Dendrobiums, viz. nobile and ccerulescens, I have kept in a
room four and five weeks. D. moniliforme, D. macrophyllum,
D. pulchellum, D. Ruckerii, and D. secundum, last a much
longer time in bloom if they are kept cool. Brassias and
Oncidiums, JEpidendrums, Odontoglossums, Cyrtocliilums, Tri-
chopilia tortilis, Lycaste Skinneri, L. aromatica, L. cruenta,
Maxillaria tenuifolia, Aspasia 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. flava will keep a much
longer time in blossom than in the warm house. When the
bloom begins to fade, the plants 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.

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

PREPARING ORCHIDS FOR TRAVELLING. 17

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 successfully 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 retard, if they are wanted to bloom later in the season.
Dendrobium nobile, D. pulchellum, D. macrophyllum, D. densi-
florum, D. Farmeri, D. Pierardi latifolium, these generally
bloom daring winter, but I have kept them back until June ;
and by having a succession of plants you may have the Or-
chid-house gay with Dendrobiums from January to June.
All the Dendrobiums will bear 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 pseudo-bulbs must be kept
dry, or the flower-buds are apt to rot. When the plants are
wanted to flower, move them into the Orchid-house, and keep
them shaded from the sun. Phajus Wallichii and grandi-
folius may be kept back in the same way as 'the Dendro-
biums.

Remarks on preparing Orchids for travelling to a
Flower Show.

These plants require great care in packing and tying, for
many are very tender. Their flowers being often large and
waxy, some of them require more packing than others. I
have seen many a plant spoiled by not being carefully packed ;
and it is a vexatious thing to have a fine specimen spoiled
during its journey to the place of exhibition. They will
travel as well forty miles as ten, if they are properly packed.
I have had a good deal of this work to do, and a few hints on

c

18 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

the subject to young beginners may be of use to them. Some
kinds bear removing much better than others. Phajus Wal-
lichi and grandifolius are both bad plants for travelling, if not
well packed. I have seen fine plants brought to different
flower-shows, with their flowers completely spoiled for want
of careful packing, though I have shown P. Wallichi several
years at the Chiswick and Regent's Park exhibitions, and
they have always been conveyed without injury. In pre-
paring them, I first get some strong sticks, and put one
to each flower-spike ; the sticks should be long enough to
go into the earth, so as to remain firm ; they 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 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.

Saccolabiums and Aerides do not require so much packing.
It is sufficient to put two or three sticks to each spike, one
at each end, and one in the centre, if the spike be long ; but
if short, two will be sufficient. The stick, which should only
be long enough to support the spikes in the drooping way in
which they grow, 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 ensure safety. The wadding should not be
allowed to touch the top part of the flowers, as it will stick to
them, and be very hard to remove.

Vandas require more packing, their flowers being larger,
and further apart ; place some wadding between each flower.

PREPARING ORCHIDS FOR TRAVELLING. 19

on the spike, then fix some sticks firmly in the basket or pot,
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 apart.

Phalcenopsis grandiflora and amabilis travel badly, 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 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 Vandas.

Dendrobiums. — Some of these only require a stick to each
pseudo-bulb fixed firmly in the pot, to tie the bulb to : such
as D. nobile, D. macrophyllum, D. Devonianum, D. monili-
forme, and sorts with similar flowers. Those varieties that
flower with pendulous racemes, such as D. densitforum, D.
Farmeri, and others growing in the same way, require three
sticks, — one to the bulb, to which the latter should be firmly
tied ; then put the other two to the flower spike, one at each
end, in the same way as with the Saccolabiums.

Calanthes are bad travellers, especially C. veratrifolia, the
delicate white soon gets injured if allowed to rub against each
other ; put a stick to each flower-spike to prevent the flowers
from injuring each other.

Cattleyas require to be packed very carefully ; their flowers
should be tied so that they do not touch one another. I
always 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 ; after-
wards tie the stalks to the stick; neither the stick nor
the leaves should be allowed to touch the flowers, or they
will bruise.

Oncidiums travel well ; they only require a strong stick

c 2

20 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

to each flower-spike, with a piece of wadding round the stick
when tied.

Sobralia macrantha 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 j then tie the stalk
firmly to the stick, and allow nothing to rub against the
flowers.

Peristeria elata. — This should be treated in the same way
as Phajus.

Cypripediums require a small stick to each flower-stalk.
All the Lycaste, 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
always put some hay between each pot, to keep them firm and
prevent their rubbing against each other.

Treatment during the Time of Rest.

Rest, as has been elsewhere stated, is of great importance
to Orchids, as well as other things. No plant will continue
long in good health without 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 temperature will rise a few degrees 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 every 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°

TREATMENT DURING THE TIME OF REST. 21

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 : during this season plants should only receive
sufficient water to keep them from shrivelling. There are,
however, some that will grow during the winter months,
as many of the Aerides, Vandas, Saccolabiums, Phalaenopsis,
Zygopetalums, and similar kinds. These will require 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 very 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 their leaves after they
have finished their growth. To this class belong Cyrtopodiums,
Barkerias, Cycnoches, Phajus albus, some of the Dendrobiums,
Pleione maculata, Wallichiana, and many others. I always
place these so that they may have as much light and sun
during their season of rest as possible. This is the only
way to ripen their pseudo-bulbs, which causes them to grow
stronger and flower more freely. These plants require but
very little water when at rest. But when such plants as
Vandas, Angnecums, Aerides, Saccolabiums, and PhalsBnop-
sis are at rest, they should never be allowed to get too
dry at the roots : the moss should always be kept a little
damp ; for the 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 which 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 regu-

22 THE OECHID-GEOWER'S MANUAL.

lated according to the weather outside ; — this is an import-
ant point to be attended to : if the weather be dull outside,
the house inside must be kept dry. The glass and roof
should always 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.

Orchids are liable to be injured by many sorts of insects,
such as red spider, thrips, mealy-bug, white and brown
scale, woodlice, cockroaches, and a small shell snail. Cock-
roaches 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 opportunity. The food
they like best is the young tender roots and flower stems. I
have seen the roots of a plant completely eaten off in one
night. The only way to keep these insects under is by con-
stantly looking after them, both by night and day. Search
for them in the 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, to seek after
food, and it is then that they are most easily caught.
Chase's Beetle Poison, a mixture sold in boxes, is a capital
thing to destroy them, if laid in different parts of the house
in the evening ; lay it on some pieces of tile or slate two
or three nights a week; then move it, for a week, and
keep on every other week until you find that they are
destroyed. By using this at times they may be kept under :
collect the pieces employed every morning, and put them
down again in the evening. 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.

INSECTS. 23

Place some of this in oyster shells in different parts of the
house. Some growers mix the arsenic with 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.

Small ants are another pest in the Orchid-house, as they
carry the dirt to the flowers, spoiling 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 destroyed hundreds
this way in a very short time. Treacle is also a good thing
to trap these pests ; place some in a bell glass where they
frequent, they are fond of anything sweet ; they go to feed,
get into the mixture, and cannot get out again ; it sticks to
them and thus causes death.

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 the
pots and baskets, looking over them every night and morn-
ing till you clear your house of these vermin. Turnips cut
in slices will answer the same end. Toads are very useful in
catching insects ; a few of them in a house do good.

The best way of getting rid of red spider and thrips is by
constantly washing the leaves with clean water, and by fumi-
gating the house with tobacco. My method is to fill the
house with tobacco-smoke three or four times ; this should
be done every 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 together, and rub
it on the pipes in different parts of the house, 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

24 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

makes its appearance in spring on the young flower-buds may
also be destroyed by tobacco-smoke. I always use tobacco-
paper, which I keep ready prepared for use.

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. I
have found a little soft soap a good thing to destroy white
scale; mix a little with water, and rub it over the leaves
and bulbs ; let it remain on for a day, then wash it off,
and all will be destroyed : care should, however, be taken
not to use it too strong. Cattleyas are very subject to this ;
the following is .a recipe for destroying these insects : — viz.
to one gallon of rain water add eight ounces of soft soap,
one ounce of tobacco, and three table-spoonfuls of turpen-
tine ; 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 oif. It is necessary to rub the
plants over two or three times, if they are much infested,
but once will be sufficient in most cases.

This recipe is also a cure for thrips. I have been informed
by Mr. Smith, gardener to Sir James Watts, of Abney Hall,
near Manchester, one of our best plant growers, that he has
used this mixture ever since I wrote the first edition of this
book for destroying thrips on his Azaleas ; he gets a large
tub and mixes the ingredients as recommended, he then dips
his Azaleas in it, completely destroying this pest; and he
also uses it for his stove-plants, large specimens of which are
cleared of mealy-bug and scale by the use of this mixture. I
am therefore glad to find that others have found it useful as
well as Orchid-growers. It will prove a great saving for
those who grow large plants for exhibition, or even those
who have a quantity of small plants, to clear of these pests
without much labour. We have kept mealy-bug away from
this place by constant watching ; and when we buy a plant

ROT AND SPOT IN ORCHIDS. . 25

that is infested with it, we take care to clean it well before
placing it in the stove or Orchid-house.

Rot in Orchids.

Orchids are subject 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 ; when the heat is low,
sometimes the drip from the glass will fall on the crowns
of the pseudo-bulbs, 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 rot attacks 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 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 in such a manner as to let the sulphur
get to the roots of the plants.

When any part of the fleshy pseudo-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 appearances
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,

Spot in Orchids.

A great deal has been said and written respecting this
disease which I have seen in several places, and in other

26 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

plants as well as in Orchids. I have not experienced much
of it myself, but I have given advice respecting its cure, and
have found in most cases the plants to outgrow it.

In 1860, a gentleman bought some Phalsonopsis of me,
which were the finest grown plants I had seen, and they did
beautifully with him for some time, growing very fast, in
fact too fast, for they got sappy, and their leaves became
spotted, as did also some others he had. I went to see
them, and he asked my opinion respecting them. Upon
inquiring how they had been treated, he told me that he
gave them a great deal of water over the leaves, and kept
the roots wet ; this was during winter. I went several times
to see them the following spring, and advised him to treat
them as recommended for Phalsenopsis. (See p. 132.) These
plants have quite outgrown the spot, and are now among the
finest round London.

When at Hoddesdon, I had two Phalsenopsis which went
in the same way j they got spotted in the winter. I cut off
one of the leaves, and sent it to Dr. Lindley for his opinion
as to the cause of the evil. His reply was, that the plants
had been kept too moist during the cold dark days of winter,
— a fact which I have never lost sight of. He was quite right,
for it was a sharp winter, and I had kept these two plants
wet, by placing the bottom of the block on which they grew
in a pan of water to keep off cockroaches. In that way too
much moisture crept to the roots, and, being in the winter
time, doubtless caused the leaves to become spotted.

However, by following the treatment recommended in my
remark on Phalsenopsis, the plants soon recovered ; but if
steps of that kind had not been taken in time the disease
would have gone too far, and probably killed the plants.
Much injury is done by keeping the plants too wet at the
roots in dull weather ; in fact, too much moisture in that
way is injurious at any time, especially to those that grow on
branches of trees, when they come to be confined in pots and

PROPAGATION. 27

baskets with a host of wet material about them, which is
unnatural. My practice is to give but little water at the
roots during winter, and not so much as many people in
summer, because I have seen the ill effects of it. The treat-
ment I recommended some years ago I still follow, and with
uniform success.

Some Orchid growers give more heat and moisture than I
recommend, and the plants have done well for a time \ but
under such exciting management they are apt to become
spotted, and get into a permanently bad state of health ; in
short, the least chill, after so high a temperature, is liable to
induce disease. The great secret in the cultivation of these,
as well as all other plants, is a proper house, sufficient ven-
tilation, heat and moisture, and good glass, without drip.
Let the temperature throughout the whole year be in ac-
cordance with directions laid down in this book, which is the
result of long experience and close observation.

Propagation.

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 Dendro-
biums are increased in this way. The best time for dividing
the plants is just as they begin to grow, or when 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 nobile,
Pierardi, pulchellum, macrophyllum, Devonianum, and similar
growing sorts, are easily propagated. This is effected by
bending the old pseudo-bulbs round the basket or pots in

28 THE OKCHID-GKOWEE'S MANUAL.

which they are growing, or by cutting the old flowering
bulbs away from the plant, and laying them on some damp
moss, in a shady and warm part of the house, with a good
supply of moisture. After they break and make roots they
may be potted or put in baskets. Such as D. Jenkinsii,
D. aggregatum, D. formosum, D. speciosum, D. densiflorum,
and similar growing sorts, are increased by dividing the
plants.

Aerides, Vandas, Angrsecums, Saccolabiums, Camarotis,
Eenantheras, and similar growing kinds, are all propagated
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, arid 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, Peristerias, Mormodes, Miltonias, Lycastes,
Leptotes, Lselias, Galeandras, Epidendrums, Cyrtopodiums,
Cyrtochilums, Cymbidiums, Cycnoches, Coryanthes, Coelogyne,
Cattleyas, Calanthes, Brassias, Bletias, Barkerias, are all pro-
pagated 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 as

MODE OF MAKING BASKETS. 29

cinndbarinum and crassifolium ; these will form plants on
the tops of the old flower-stalks ; they should be left till
they have made their growth, they should then be cut off
and potted, and they will soon make good plants. Some
Dendrobiums 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 growing
year after year, and yet produce only one flowering bulb each
year; but if the plants are cut they will produce back breaks,
increasing, and soon make fine specimens. This is the way
to produce such plants as are seen every 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 more natural for true air-plants,
such as Vandas, fiaccolabiums, Aerides, Angrcecums, Plialcenop-
sis, &c. ; when planted in baskets or on blocks, they send out
their roots much stronger into the air, and suck up the
moisture, whereas, if their roots are covered too much, they
are very 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, on account of their rustic
appearance, and the roots like to cling to the wood. The
best kind of wood is maple or hazel, and the best baskets

30 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

are those of a square shape. The wood should be cut into
the 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 dis-
tance : 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 probably 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.

Seedling Orchids.

Few Orchids have as yet been raised from seed in this
country ; a large field is, however, open for all who take an
interest in hybridising this singularly beautiful tribe of plants.
Some time ago a gentleman said to me he should like to be in
a country where the Orchids grew in a wild state, in order
that he might have a chance of hybridising them ; his ideas
were that something really good might be obtained ; and no
doubt he was right, for how seldom is it that we flower two
Orchids alike ? I have seen at least twenty varieties, or nearly
so, of Cattleya Mossice in bloom at one time ; some had white
petals and rich crimson lip j others rose-coloured petals and
yellow lip, all differed more or less from each other ; in fact,
nearly all species of Orchids have varieties. Four flowers
taken from four different plants of Phalcenopsis amaUlis were

SEEDLING ORCHIDS. 31

brought me the other day by a gentleman, and no two of them
were exactly alike. The same may be said of the new Phalce-
nopsis Schilleriana. I have only seen five plants of this in
bloom, and all of them differed in colour, shape of leaf, and
flower; all were, however, handsome. In a wild state varieties
appear to be unlimited, crossed, and recrossed, as they doubtless
are, by insects. Who, for instance, would have thought, a few
years ago, of receiving so splendid an importation as Phalce-
nopsis Schilleriana, beautiful not only in blossom but in
foliage 1 I have heard that there exists a scarlet Phalsenopsis !
Let us hope yet to receive it : what a contrast it would make
with the white and mauve coloured kinds now in cultivation.
In this country Mr. Dominy has succeeded in raising some
pretty varieties of Cattleya, Calanthe, Goodyera, &c. I trust
he may persevere in the good work, and produce us something
new in other genera ; many kinds seed freely if the flowers
are set, producing many seeds in a pod. When ripe the seed
should be sown ; but it requires great care, as it is not so easy
to raise as that of many other kinds of plants ; some of the
kinds are a long time in germinating : I have known Orchid
seeds to lie twelve months before they made their appearance.
To watch their progress when up is, however, highly interesting
— first, the formation of pseudo-bulbs, then their advancement
towards flowering, are processes full of pleasure yielding
anxiety. The best place to sow is on the top of an Orchid
pot, where the seeds will not get disturbed ; let the peat be
in a rough state : do not cover the seed, but give a little water
with a fine rosed-pot, just to settle it in the peat; some rough
blocks of wood on which another plant is growing afford a
capital situation to sow upon : they should always be kept a
little moist ; and of such as are sown on pots in the same way,
when the plants are strong enough, pot them off into separate
pots, or place them on blocks in material already recom-
mended ; in potting and taking them up care must be taken
not to break the roots ; by hybridising the finer kinds you are

32 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

most certain to get fine flowers. Of Cattleyas we have only
one which is not worth growing, and that is G. Forbesii, yet
that is better than many other Orchids in cultivation ;
therefore let many begin to raise hybrids, not only with the
view of obtaining finer flowers than we already possess,
though that would be a real acquisition, but for the addi-
tional purpose of raising sorts that might succeed in cooler
houses ; Odontoglossum grande and many others, for in-
stance, do better in a cool house than in a warm one ; Cypri-
pedium insigne will also thrive well in a greenhouse ; — if,
therefore, we could cross this with some of the other kinds,
such as G. grandiflorum, C. kirsutissimum, C. Lowii, or G.
barbatum superbum, something good might be the result.
There is also our hardy Cypripedium spectabile, which might
be induced to play an important part in the operation.
Phajus grandifolius and Wallichii are likewise two noble
plants for winter decoration which do well in a warm green-
house. Might not these be crossed with albus, which is
white, and something new be realised, provided they could
be had in flower at the same time ? Moreover Lycaste will do
in a cool house, as, for instance, L. Skinneri, which is one of
the finest. Many splendid varieties of this are now culti-
vated; I saw eight varieties of it the other day. This
plant is reported in the " Gardeners' Chronicle " to have
been in a room in flower for seven weeks — a fact which shows
what might be done with these fine plants in a cool house.
I have, myself, had this Lycaste all the winter in a green-
house, where it flowered in great abundance, as many as
from thirty to fifty blossoms being open at one time. I
exhibited one plant of it at Regent's Park spring show last
year, with as many blossoms on it as I have just mentioned,
on which occasion a medal was awarded for its magnificent
flowers and colour. We must be particular, however, in
keeping the flowers dry when in a cool house, or else they
are apt to become spotted.

LYCASTE SKINNERI. 33

Lycaste Skinneri, says the " Gardeners' Chronicle," seems
about to have as great a future as the Tulip. Already some-
thing like a dozen varieties of colour are known among its
exquisitely beautiful flowers, and we can entertain no doubt
that it will break into plenty more, especially if recourse is
had to hybridising. From deep rose to a skin only less
white than the Hawthorn we have a complete set of transi-
tions, and this is a plant conspicuous for its fine broad
foliage, and most glorious in its ample floral garments.

It is not, however, wholly on account of its disposition to
reward us by an endless variety of colour, and perhaps form,
that we wish to attract attention to it, but because of all
tropical Orchids it is one of the hardiest and most easy to
cultivate. This has been very decisively shown by some late
experiments by Mr. Skinner, to whose untiring energy we
English owe this and many another treasure. In a note
received from him the other day he writes as follows : —

" On the 2nd February, 1861, I received from Mr. Veitch
a fine specimen with seven flower spikes all out, and took it
to Hillingdon Cottage, placed it on the drawing-room table
in an ornamental pot, and gave it every three days or so
about four tablespoonfuls of water, occasionally wiping the
leaves with a wet sponge when the dust got on them. There
this plant stood throughout the severe weather we had — a
fire in the room only during the afternoons and evenings,
and on some days none at all. It never showed the least
decay until the 16th of May, when it was for some purpose
or other put into the greenhouse, and our gardener sprinkled
water over it along with the other plants. Next morning I
was shocked to see the flowers all with brown spots and
withering. On the 18th May I took it back to Mr. Veitch,
still in full bloom (seven spikes) to bear testimony to its
condition, and it lasted, though then much injured, a week
on the stand by the seed-room in their place. This expe-
riment induced me to try again. On. the 18th December,-

D

34 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

1861, I brought down to this place two fine plants of the
Jjycaste, and two plants of Barkeria Skinneri, both in full
bloom. Having been absent (with the exception of three days
in January) since, I have had no control over them, but my
sister followed the same plan as at Hillingdon, only with the
Barkerias, which are attached to blocks, dipping the whole block
into water for a few minutes every four or five days, according
as we have much or little sun ; and as the plants are now
before me, I give you their condition. One of the Barkerias
is as perfect as the day I brought it here. The other has all
gone off within the last few days. One Lycaste is perfect, and as
beautiful as the day I brought it here ; the other has lost one
flower, I fear, by some accident, the other flower still good,
but evidently a little ' shady j ' this plant has two flower
stems coming on, and will bloom in a fortnight if we pushed
them by more moisture. I expect frost has got on it after
watering, for it stands close to the window in the drawing-
room, and this room, though smaller, is similarly treated to
the one at Hillingdon — fires in the afternoon and evenings,
with a southern aspect. What a treat to me is this, and I
think you should know it, for people have said — ' I love
Orchids, but hate the stew-pans one has to view them in.' "

It is clear that for Lycastes and Barkerias " stew-pans" may
be dispensed with. Plenty of Orchids like these are to be
found in our gardens, brought from the Nubes or Highlands
of Mexico and from Central America. It is also probable
that mountain species of India, such as the delicious Coelo-
gynes, will thrive under the same treatment, and, if so, one
more class of enjoyments is provided for the lovers of
flowers.

Surely this is news worth telegraphing through the whole
horticultural world ! What a charm for a sick room ! What
a pet for the poor invalid who has nothing to love except her
flowers ! Imagine the pleasure of watching the buds as they
form, visibly enlarging from day to day, and the slow un-

ORCHIDS AT PRESENT IN CULTIVATION. 35

folding of the perfect blossom, and then the delight at seeing
it some morning, stimulated by even a winter's sun, suddenly
throwing back its green cloak and displaying the wondrous
beauty of its richly tinted lining. It is almost worth being
ill to enjoy such a scene.

Encouragement like this must surely add new life and
vigour to Orchid growing. I hope, therefore, that many
may be induced to try their skill ; the great secret is robust
growth in summer, when there is plenty of heat in the
greenhouses ; but for further instruction, see remarks on the
cultivation of the Lycaste (p. 116), and also on the treatment
of plants in flower.

ORCHIDS AT PRESENT IN CULTIVATION.

In the following brief descriptions of all the best Orchida-
ceous plants I have seen, a general account is given of the
distinctive features 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.

To this singular genus belongs several species, but only
three that I have seen are worth growing. They produce
their flowers from the bottom of the basket. They are all
evergreen, with short pseudo-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, and all of them are propagated by division.

A. Barkerii. — A curious Orchid from Mexico, producing

D 2

36 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

from the bottom of the basket 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.

A. densa. — A beautiful and distinct species, also from
Mexico, with yellow and crimson flowers, which are produced
from the bottom of the basket, and, if kept dry, the flowers
will last a long time in perfection.

A. Humboldti. — 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 which
they are found. The stem of the plant is straight or slightly
bent, with leaves attached on opposite sides, and the plant is
nourished by large fleshy roots, shooting 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 attended
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

AER1DES. 37

water ; and to grow them in anything like perfection, the
climate in which they grow wild must be imitated as nearly
as possible. I find they succeed best with a good supply of
heat and moisture during their growing season, which is from
about March till the latter end of October. During that
time I keep the temperature, by day, from 70° to 75°. It
may be allowed to rise to 80° and 85°, or even 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 afterwards it may rise five
degrees higher.

Some grow their Aerides in baskets made of wood, but
they may be grown in pots, — a mode of culture successfully
followed by many of our Orchid growers, especially those
who exhibit ; for, when in pots, the plants are more easily
moved about. Another reason is, baskets soon decay ; but
if the plants are not required for exhibition, I should advise
some of the small growing kinds to be grown in baskets,
in which they have a fine appearance, especially if there is
room for suspending them, letting the roots grow out of the
basket. All the kinds will succeed well in this way. In
pots give good drainage — about three parts full of small
potsherds mixed with moss — and when the moss begins to
decay fresh should be given to keep all healthy. They all
do well on blocks of wood, but to grow them in perfection
they require care as regards moisture. In their native
country they are found growing on branches of trees.
Sphagnum moss and broken potsherds have proved the best
materials for filling baskets. They require frequent watering
at the roots during 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. Aerides require but little repose, and the moss
should always be kept damp ; but during the dull months
of winter no water should be allowed to lodge on the leaves

38 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

or heart of the plant, as it would be very apt to rot them.
The plants, if not in pots, should be suspended from the
roof, but not very near the glass, lest they should be affected
by cold • and they should be kept perfectly free from insects,
especially the different kinds of scale. There is a small kind
which is apt to infest them, and which, if allowed to get
ahead, will make the plants look yellow and unhealthy. It
may be kept under by constantly washing with water and a
sponge. These plants are propagated by cutting them into
pieces, with roots attached to each piece. Some kinds,
however, are shy in throwing up young shoots, and this
makes these sorts very scarce. The A. odor alum division is
the most easy to increase, and A. crispum sends out roots
more freely than some others. If the plants ever get into an
unhealthy condition, the best way is to cut the bottom off the
plant, and give fresh moss, with plenty of water at the roots.

A. affine. — A handsome free-flowering Orchid from India,
with light green foliage a foot long, and pink and white
flowers, produced on long branching spikes in great pro-
fusion. I have seen spikes of this two feet long, and three
and four branches on each spike. This has been exhibited
with from thirty to forty spikes. It grows from two to three
feet high, and, if true, makes one of the finest plants for
exhibition, continuing in blossom three or four weeks.

A. affine superbum. — A splendid variety of the former,
the colour of which is richer, and the flowers much larger,
and more compact in growth than affine ; a free-flowering
branching variety.

A. 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.

A. crispum, var. Lindleyanum. — A charming kind, with

AERIDES. 39

blooms of a fine rich colour ; growth similar to that of
crispum, and it blooms about the same time.

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

A. crispum, var. Warner L — A splendid free-flowering variety
from India. In leaves and stem it closely resembles A.
crispum, except that the leaves are smaller and more slender
in growth ; the blossoms, which are produced in June and
July, are white and rich rose colour, and they last three or
four weeks in perfection.

A. cylindricum. — A very distinct growing plant, having a
habit like that of Vanda teres, but not so strong ; the flowers,
which are produced in pairs from the axils of the leaves, are
as large as those of A. crispum, and are of a white and pink
colour.

A. Fieldingi. — A magnificent free-flowering Indian species,
of which there are many varieties both in growth and flowers ;
it grows from two to three feet high ; some of the varieties
have dark green foliage, while others are of a lighter shade ;
the leaves, which are broad, are eight or ten inches long ;
the spikes sometimes attain a length of three feet, and are
branched ; the flowers are white and rose colour, unusually
large, and are produced during May, June, and July, continu-
ing in bloom three or four weeks. This makes a fine exhibi-
tion plant.

A. Larpentce. — A fine Indian free-growing plant, with dark
green leaves, ten inches long. The flowers are numerous on
a single spike, of a cream and light rose colour. It blooms
in June, and lasts two weeks in perfection. This is a distinct
plant, and was first flowered by Mr. Eyles, then gardener to
Lady Larpent, and shown at the Regent's Park Exhibition
in 1847, when it received the first prize as a new plant.

A. Lobbii. — A free handsome flowering species from India,
producing long spikes of the same coloured blossoms as

40 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

affine; foliage light green, about eight inches long. Alto-
gether a very showy and scarce kind, of which there are
several varieties. Slow growing, but very compact in habit.

A. maculosum. — A lovely dwarf Orchid from Bombay,
with dark green leaves, eight inches long, close and compact,
stiff 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, lasts four weeks
in perfection. The colour of the bloom is very striking.

A. maculosum, var. Schroderi. — A magnificent free-growing
plant from the hills near Bombay, much stronger than A.
maculosum, and more in the way of A. crispum, with 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, lasting 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 was
only one plant imported. The stock at present in this
country is from the one plant.

A. McMorlandi. — A magnificent species from India, com-
pact in growth, and having bright green foliage, about ten
inches in length ; blossoms freely, producing long branching
spikes of peach and white flowers, in June and July, and
continues three or four weeks in perfection. The only plant
I know of this is in the collection of E. McMorland, Esq.,
Haverstock Hill, in compliment to whom it is named.

A. noiile. — A magnificent free-flowering species from India,
in the way of suavissimum, but with flowers larger, and of a
better colour, and in growth it is much stronger. I have
seen spikes of this from two to three feet long. Blooms in
June, July, and August, and keeps in perfection three or
four weeks.

A. odoratum. — A good, old, free-growing species from
India, one of the most abundantly flowering of this genus,

AERIDES. 41

having pale green foliage, blooming in June or July, and
remaining two weeks in good condition. The blossoms are
white stained with pink. I have seen specimens five feet high
and four feet in diameter, which produced thirty or forty
spikes of bloom every year ; altogether a noble plant.

A. odoratum cornutum. — A handsome free-flowering variety
from India ; in growth distinct from the former ; spikes
about twelve inches long, furnished with pink and white
coloured flowers, which are produced in May, June, and
July, and continue upwards of three weeks in bloom.

A. odoratum, var. majus. — Like odoratum in growth,
and differing only in the larger size and longer spikes of
flowers. There is another variety of odoratum, called pur-
purescens, the flowers of which are of a much darker pink
colour and the leaves broader. This is a desirable plant,
and is rather scarce.

A. quinquevulnerum. — 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 j the top of the lip is green, the
sides pink, and the middle a deep crimson : it blooms in July
or August, and lasts two or three weeks in bloom. There
are two varieties j one with much lighter coloured flowers
than the other.

A. quinquevulnerum album. — A white variety of the pre-
ceding, producing long spikes of white flowers ; grows like
quinquevulnerum, and blooms about the same time. The first
time this plant came under my notice was at Nonsuch Park,
Cheam, the seat of W. F. G. Farmer, Esq. It is by no means
plentiful.

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

42 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

A. roseum superbum. — A fine variety, much stronger in
growth than roseum; flowers also larger, and of a richer
colour. The spikes of this, as well as of roseum, are apt to
damp off at the ends before the flowers open, which is often
caused by too much moisture having been given. It con-
tinues a long time in perfection.

A. suavissimum. — A distinct and desirable species, of free
growth, with light green foliage spotted with small 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 September, and lasts in good
condition three weeks. 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.

A. Veitchii. — A charming species from India, with leaves
about eight inches long, dark green and covered with small
spots ; flowers of a white and pink colour like so many small
shells, so beautiful are they in appearance. Blooms during
June and July, and lasts about three weeks in good condition.

A. 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 desirable species.

A. virens grandiflorum. — A magnificent variety from India,
whose flowers are larger than those of virens, of a white and
pink colour, and more graceful in their manner of growth.
The only plant I have seen of this is in the collection of
J. A. Turner, Esq., Pendlebury, near Manchester, where it
blooms during April and May, and continues from three to
four weeks in beauty.

A. virens superbum. — This is another fine variety from
India, the growth of which is the same as that of virens,
except that the spikes and flowers are longer and of a

AGANISIA— VARIEGATED ORCHIDS. 43

brighter colour. Blooms about the same time as wrens, and
remains long in perfection.

A. Williamsii.—K distinct and charming kind from India,
with broad dark green drooping foliage. The spikes of flower
are produced in great abundance, measuring from two to
three feet in length, and branched ; colour pinkish white ;
very scarce. I am only acquainted with one plant, which is
in the collection of C. B. Warner, Esq., at Stratford, where
it blooms in June and July, and makes a fine Orchid for
purposes of exhibition, on account of its free-flowering ; its
delicate colour also associates well with that of other kinds.

AGANISIA.

A. pulchella. — A pretty dwarf Orchid from Demerara,
eight inches high, the only species of this genus that I know ;
it 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 blossoms at different 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.

AN^CTOCHILI OR VARIEGATED ORCHIDS.

The following short and plain description of all the Anaecto-
chili I have seen grown may, I hope, prove serviceable to
those who may be beginning their cultivation, as well as to
others who, having made a commencement, have not com-
pleted their collections ; I have also added the cultivation
which, from long experience, has been found to suit their
wants. Many are, however, not yet in cultivation, and there
are others in catalogues that I have not seen.

Among Orchids, as well as among most other orders of the
vegetable kingdom, there are variegated varieties, and these,
like most other variegated plants, generally bear flowers

44 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

small and unattractive compared with the beauty of their
foliage. To this rule the charming Phalcenopsis Schilleriana,
described by me at p. 137, is, however, an exception ; some
of the Cypripediums, too, have both fine foliage and flowers.
The genus Anazctocliilus is one of the most remarkable of
this handsome class of Orchids, and to its cultivation, which is
not generally well understood, I will now address myself. All
the varieties are remarkable for compact dwarf habit, perfect
form, and great beauty : they vary in height from two to six
inches, and their leaves, which are well defined, vary from
two to five inches in length, including the stalks, which, like
the stems of the plant, are short and fleshy. The foliage of
all the species is singularly beautiful ; in some of the varieties
it resembles the richest olive or rather purple velvet, regularly
interspersed with a net- work of gold. In others the leaf is of
the most lively green, covered with silver tracery. As regards
cultivation, the plants require sand and peat mixed with moss ;
the white ground colour from which they spring enlivened
occasionally by small growths of moss, sets off the plants
to much advantage, especially when looked at through bell-
glasses, under which the delicacy, richness, and softness of their
appearance are increased. Few visitors walk through a house
containing any of these plants without bestowing on them
more than ordinary attention, and expressing admiration of
their elegance, richness, and beauty. All of them demand treat-
ment very different from that of any other Orchid ; different
growers operate in different ways, but I have not found any
mode of management to succeed better than the one I first
laid down about twelve years ago, and which I know is being
followed by many who have Ancectochili growing in great
perfection. They are difficult to cultivate, and many fail
with them, a circumstance I attribute to keeping them too
close. The case in which they are grown should always have
a little air by tilting the glass about one or two inches j
this will benefit them very much and make them grow

VARIEGATED ORCHIDS. 45

stronger : when too much confined in the case or bell-glass
they grow up spindling and damp off in the stem ; the latter
being fleshy requires more substance and hardihood. I have
seen Ancectocliili grown in bottom heat, which I find to be
injurious : they succeed in it for a time, but not long ; they
grow too fast, and become so weak as to often die alto-
gether. What I had in bottom heat I removed to a cooler
house without it, and I found that they improved very fast
under cool treatment.

The finest collection I ever saw belongs to J. A. Turner,
Esq., of Manchester, and is under the care of Mr. Toll, his
gardener ; the plants are grown under bell-glasses in a little
top heat but no bottom heat. I sold Mr. Turner a plant of
each kind about three years ago ; they have been grown and
propagated, and now he has large pots full of them, many
plants of a kind being placed together. This shows how well
they may be grown without bottom heat. I also have seen
them doing well in other places without bottom heat : in short,
they may be grown without having an Orchid house at all ;
any common stove will do, or even a well-heated pit. I have
sold several collections this last season to gentlemen who
have no other Orchids, but who have bought these for the
express purpose of growing for decoration of the dinner table,
on which they have a beautiful appearance under gas light.
As table decoration, therefore, is in fashion, plants such as
these will doubtless be much sought after for that purpose,
and subjecting them to such treatment for a few hours in a
warm room will do them little harm, provided they have
glasses over them with a ventilator at the top to let out
moisture so as to keep the leaves dry ; being grown, as they
generally are, in small pots, they can be plunged in handsome
vases with ornamental glass tops. When done with, take
them back into the heat. For room-work let the foliage be
dry, and there should not be much moisture at the roots.
I should not, however, advise them to be used in the way

46 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

just described on a frosty night ; but during mild weather it
will not do them any more harm than taking them to a flower-
show. When with C. B. Warner, Esq., at Hoddesdon, I
showed Ancectochili at Kegent's Park and Chiswick, under bell-
glasses for years, and I never found them injured by such
changes. I, however, always took care to prepare them
before starting, by not giving them too much moisture, and
putting them in a cooler house, which is the best way for all
plants of a tender kind before taking them to a show. Few
plants would be injured if treated in a proper way before
leaving a warm house. The plants in question were shown
for several years, and though that was more than six years
ago Mr. Warner has some of the same stock in his collection
at Stratford in fine condition : and these are grown without
bottom heat and under bell-glasses in the shade. I mention
this to show how many years Ancectochili may be grown when
subjected to the treatment best suited for them. I think
the stock at Hoddesdon has lasted sixteen years or more, and
I have no doubt, if treated in the same way, it may keep on
for years to come.

When out of health I have found that the best way is to
turn them out of their pots and examine their roots ; if in a
bad state below, wash the bottom of the plant, and repot
in fresh soil. Thus treated I have known them to improve
and do well for some time, provided they have not been
allowed to get too much out of order before being seen to ;
if so, there may be little hopes of all care bestowed on them
being of any use. These plants, unlike some Orchids,
have no thick woody pseudo-bulbs to support them ; their
small fleshy stems require constant attention to keep them in
a thriving state, but with care they may be grown in perfec-
tion. The flowers are small and unattractive, and often
injure the plants; I, therefore, always pinch them off when
they appear, and doing so induces them to break freely.

The treatment they require is a warm house or pit, where

VARIEGATED ORCHIDS. 47

the temperature ranges in winter, by night, from 55° to 60°,
or a few degrees higher would not do them any harm ; the
warmth may rise to 65° by day, and by sun heat to 70° ;
during March, April, and May the night temperature may
range from 60° to 70°, and afterwards a few degrees higher
will not be injurious. From March to October is the best
time for growth, during which they will require a good supply
of moisture at their roots ; in fact, they should never be
allowed to get dry, — if so, they will most likely perish ; but
from October to March only give them sufficient to keep the
soil damp. They succeed best under bell-glasses or in a case
in small pots, with a little air always on to keep them in a
healthy condition. Some will do without glasses, if in a
warm house. I grow them in sphagnum, chopped into small
pieces, intermixed with a little good fibrous peat and silver
sand, all well mixed together. I have found river sand to
answer the same purpose. I have grown them in both with
good drainage. These plants do not require large pots, as
they do not make much root, they therefore succeed well in
small pots ; and if bell-glasses are used, plunge the pot into a
large one so that the bell-glass fits the outside one. If grown
in cases put them in small pots, and arrange them in the case
by placing good drainage at the bottom and sphagnum on
the top of the drainage, with some sand on the top of the
moss to set the pots on ; then arrange the kinds in the case
so that the different colours may make a good effect. The
pots should be perfectly clean, with good drainage at the
bottom, covering with a little moss, and filling up with the
material recommended. In placing the roots in the pot, raise
the stem a little above the rim ; after that pot once a year, and
I have found, at the end of February or the beginning of
March, the best time. The glass or case in which they grow
should be kept perfectly clean, in order that they may have
plenty of light, but not any sun, which is injurious to them.
They are propagated by catting the plants into pieces just

48 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

below the first joint, and so as to have a root attached to each
piece. For this purpose strong plants should be selected ;
and, in cutting, take care that the bottom piece has two
eyes, one to root from, and the other to push into a shoot ;
place them in small pots in the material already named.
The " bottom," or plant cut, should be put under a bell-
glass, or placed in the case, where it will soon throw up a
young shoot, which is best left on till well rooted ; then cut
it off from the old plant, and treat it like the portion first
removed, leaving the old part in the pot, which will throw
up again and form another plant from the bottom eye.

Ancectochili are subject to different kinds of insects ; red
spider is very destructive to them, and, if allowed to get
ahead, soon spoils the foliage, but if constantly looked after
it may be kept in check. Take the plants out of the case, and
examine the under sides of the leaves, and rub them over
with a sponge. I should not, however, do this except there
is necessity for it. Thrips is another enemy which must
be kept under in the same way, or by fumigation, taking the
glasses off for a short time. Cockroaches, too, should not be
allowed to get near them. I have seen great mischief done
by them ; they eat the young stems, and must be sought
after by candle-light, or lay some Chase's beetle poison in
different parts of the house. The latter is sold in boxes, and
should be laid down about twice a week till the cockroaches
are destroyed. In smoking, be careful not to give too strong
a dose. The best way is to give it three times every other
night till both thrips and spiders are destroyed.

Ancectochilus argenteus. — A handsome distinct free-growing
species, with leaves two and a half inches long, one and a
half broad, and having stems four inches in height ; ground
colour light green, with well-defined silvery markings. This
does not require so much care as some others. I have seen
it grown in a warm house without a bell-glass, and with a
good supply of water at the roots in a shady place.

VARIEGATED ORCHIDS. 49

A. Bulleni. — This charming new species, from Borneo,
grows six inches high, and has leaves two and a half inches
in length ; ground colour bronzy green, marked through the
entire length with three broad distinct lines of coppery red,
varying at times to golden stripes. This will prove, I believe,
one of the best that has yet been introduced, as it seems to
be very free in growth.

A. El Dorado. — A distinct species, and very difficult to
cultivate. It appears to be a deciduous kind, and is often
lost by people throwing it away, thinking that it is dead,
whereas, if left, it will push up again ; the foliage is dark
green, with small tracery of a lighter colour. This plant
should not be allowed to get too dry at the roots when at
rest j if so, it will die ; it requires a good deal of care to keep
it in good condition.

A. intermedius. — A fine distinct species, and one of freer
growth than some others. It grows three inches high, and
has leaves two and a half inches long, one and a half inch
broad, with a soft silky surface ; colour dark olive, striped
and veined with gold. This will do well without a glass, if
in a warm house, and shaded from the sun.

A. Javanicus. — A species not so good as many others, but
still worth cultivating on account of distinctness of colour ;
height four inches ; leaves one and a half inch long, and
one inch broad ; ground colour dark olive-green, with blotches
of a lighter green.

A. Lobbii. — A fine distinct species, attaining a height of
three inches, and with leaves two and a half inches long, and
one and a half inch broad ; colour dark olive, with light
marking over the whole surface.

A. Lowii. — A splendid species, the largest of the genus ;
it grows six inches high, and has leaves from four to five
inches long, and three inches broad, beautiful and velvety ;
colour rich dark green, shading off to mellow orange brown,
lined from stalk to point with well-defined deep golden veins,

50 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

and crossed by lines of the same attractive hue. This
remarkable plant was found by Mr. Hugh Low near an
opening of a large cavern in the interior of Borneo.

A. Lowii virescens. — A charming variety of the above,
growing equally large ; foliage lighter green, with brighter
markings over the whole surface.

A. maculatus. — A beautiful and distinct sort, growing five
inches high, and having leaves three inches long, and one
and a half inch broad ; each leaf is edged with dark green,
and has a handsome silver-frosted band down the centre.
A very free-growing plant, and one which may be grown
without a glass.

A. Nevilleanus. — A distinct and pretty species from Borneo ;
grows about three inches high, and has leaves an inch and a
half long ; ground colour dark velvet, enriched with blotches
of orange. Apparently a free grower.

A. "petola". — One of the finest of the genus, very free-
growing, and easy to increase. Of this there are two varie-
ties ; one not so good as the other, but both handsome. It
grows four inches high, and has leaves from two to three
inches long, and two inches broad, resembling light-coloured
velvet, enriched with well-defined lines, and bands of a
deep golden colour covering the whole surface. A magni-
ficent species, which has only been in cultivation about
three years.

A. querceticolus. — A distinct species, but one only worth
growing for the sake of variety. Grows from three to four
inches high, and has leaves two inches long, of a light green,
with blotches of white down the centre. A free grower.

A. Roxburghii. — A pretty and distinct kind, which grows
three inches high, and has leaves two and a half inches long,
and one and a half inch broad, with dark velvety appear-
ance ; over the whole surface are well-defined lines of silver.
Several kinds are grown for this species, but none so good
as the true one, which is very rare.

VARIEGATED ORCHIDS. 51

A. Ruckerii. — A new and pretty species, just imported
from Borneo. I have, therefore, not seen it suffi-
ciently to say much about its merits. The plants
are very small. Mr. Low, the importer of it, describes it
as having leaves broadly ovate ; ground colour bronzy
green, with six rows of distinct spots running down the
entire length of the leaves. It looks distinct from most
others.

A. setaceus. — One of the handsomest of the genus, and one
of the oldest. It grows four inches high, and has leaves two
inches long and one and a half-inch broad ; surface a beautiful
velvet, veined in regular lines, and covered with a network
of gold. There are several varieties of this charming plant,
all of which are free growers.

A. setaceus cordatus. — A remarkably handsome variety ;
grows three inches high, and has leaves two inches long, and
one and a half inch broad j resembles the former, but is
rounder in the leaf, and the gold markings are broader. A
rare variety.

A. setaceus grandifolius. — A beautiful kind, growing two
and a half inches high, and having leaves two inches long,
and one and a half inch broad ; foliage light green, beautifully
laced and banded with a network of gold. A rare variety,
and one which I have only seen in the collection of J. A.
Turner, Esq., Manchester.

A. striatus. — A distinct species; grows five inches high,
and has leaves three inches long, of a dark green, with broad
band of white down the centre. A free-growing plant, and
one which may be cultivated without a glass in a warm
house.

A. Veitchii. — A rare and fine species, named after its
importer. It grows four inches high, and has leaves three
inches long and two inches broad \ ground colour beautiful
light velvety green, interspersed from stalk to point by well-
defined lines, and bars of the same colour, but lighter. A

E 2

52 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

free-growing plant, and one which grows nearly as large as
Lowii.

A. xanthophyllus. — A splendid species, and very distinct
from any other variety in cultivation. It attains a height of
five inches, and has leaves two and a half inches long, and
one and a half inch broad ; ground dark velvety, with broad
orange and green stripes down the centre, and covered with
a beautiful golden network. A free-growing species.

ANGR2EGUMS.

Curious Orchids, of which there are several species, but
only a few are worth growing : these, however, are handsome
in growth, and ought to be in every collection. In habit
they resemble Aerides, having beautiful evergreen foliage,
which, in some kinds, is regularly curved, and very graceful.
The flowers are produced on long spikes from the axils of
the leaves. Even when not in bloom, the plants themselves
are objects of interest, and give a noble appearance to the
house in which they are grown. The flowers are not so
much prized as they ought to be, the spikes being stiff,
and therefore comparatively unsuitable for exhibition ; but
blooming, as they do, in winter, they are invaluable to those
who look for beauty at that season. They continue six
weeks or more in perfection. If strong they generally flower
every year, and also produce young plants at the bottom.
The latter, if required, should be taken off when rooted ; if
not, leave them on, in order to make a finer specimen.
They require the same treatment and material as Aerides,
and, like them, are best grown in the East India House.

A. bilobum. — An elegant little Orchid from Cape Coast,
with dark green leaves and very compact growth ; the blos-
soms are white, and have a small tail about two inches long.
The plant blooms from October to December, and remains
-two or three weeks in good condition, I have grown this

ANGRECUMS. 53

plant on a block, but it does best in a basket, where the
roots obtain plenty of moisture.

A. caudatum. — A singular free- flowering species, from
Sierra Leone, with pale green drooping foliage, ten inches
long, and very compact growth, producing racemes of flowers
a foot or more in length ; the flowers are greenish yellow,
mixed with brown, the labellum being pure white, and fur-
nished with a tail of pale green colour, about nine inches
long. I have sometimes seen twelve or more of these
curious flowers on a spike. Its season of blooming is from
Jane to September, and it continues in perfection a long
time. This has always been a rare plant.

A. eburneum. — A noble free-flowering Orchid from Mada-
gascar, strong growing, with light green stiff foliage, eighteen
inches long, very thick and broad j the flowers, which are of
ivory whiteness, are produced on upright spikes eighteen inches
long, and, if kept from damp, last four or five weeks in per-
fection. It blooms during the winter months, and is on that
account valuable.

A. eburneum superbum. — A fine variety of ebumeum,
brought from Madagascar by W. Ellis, Esq., of Hoddesdon.
It is stronger in growth than the former j the blooms are
large, ivory white, coming about the same time as those of
eburneum, and continuing a long time in beauty.

A. eburneum virens. — A free-flowering variety, the flower
spikes of which are not so stiff and therefore are more
graceful than eburneum. The blossoms are greenish white,
and the plant has dark green foliage, about ten inches long.
In perfection during December and January.

A. sesquipedale. — A wonderful plant, brought by W. Ellis,
Esq., of Hoddesdon, from Madagascar, where he found it
growing on trees. Foliage dark green, about ten inches
long ; blooms beautiful ivory white, and very large, with
two green tails hanging from the bottom of the flower, about
ten inches in length. In blossom in November,, December^

54 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

and January, and lasts three weeks in beauty. A very rare
species, and certainly the finest of its class.

ANGULOA.

There are only five plants of this genus that I have seen.
The flowers are large and beautiful. The plants make good
subjects for exhibition, especially A. Clowesii, whose colour is
different from that of many of our Orchids, making it valu-
able. The pseudo-bulbs are large, about three inches high,
with 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 just as they begin to grow. All the
kinds 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 moving, when
they must be grown in pots in peat and treated as already
recommended. They are propagated by dividing the bulbs
just before they begin to grow.

A. Clowesii. — A charming and free-growing 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. Clowesii macrantha. — A fine variety, also from Columbia,
growing about the same height as the preceding ; the flowers,
which are bright yellow, spotted with red, are produced in
July, and, if kept dry, continue three or four weeks in perfec-
tion. A scarce plant.

A. Ruckerii. — A handsome Orchid from the same country
as the former, and flowering at the same time. The sepals
and petals rich brownish orange, lip greenish yellow :

ANSELLIA. 55

lasts two or three weeks in good condition. Also a rare
plant.

A.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.

A. virginalis. — A pretty species, likewise from Columbia,
which grows about a foot high, with dark green bulbs \ the
blossoms, which are white, spotted all over with dark brown,
are produced in June and July, and last three weeks in
bloom. A rare species.

ANSELLIA.

Two of this genus at least are well worth growing ; both
are noble free-flowering Orchids, growing about four feet high,
and blooming in winter, when they produce large spikes of
flower, which, if kept in a cool house, last long in perfection.
Ansellias require good-sized pots, as they root very freely?
and are of easy culture, provided they get the heat of the
East India house while growing, and a good supply of water
at the roots ; be careful, however, not to wet the young
growths, as that might cause them to rot. A. Africana was
found in Fernando Po, at the foot of a palm-tree, by the
late Mr. John Ansell. All of them are propagated by dividing
their bulbs after they have finished their growth, or just
after they have done blooming.

A. Africana. — A free-flowering noble Orchid, producing
upright stems from three to four feet high, with light ever-
green foliage ; the flowers are pale yellow, spotted all
over with dark brown ; lip yellow ; keeps in beauty for two
months. I have seen upwards of one hundred flowers on
one spike.

A. Africana gigantea. — A very fine variety of the preceding,
producing upright spikes from the top of the bulbs ; it
flowers about the same time and is of the same colour as
Africana, lasting a long time in perfection ; very rare.

56 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

ARPOPHYLLUM.

There are only three plants belonging to this genus with
which I am acquainted that are worth growing. All three
are of handsome habit, with graceful evergreen foliage, and
having beautiful upright spikes of flowers, charmingly ar-
ranged, looking not unlike rows of small shells clustering
round the spike a foot or more in length. A. giganteum
makes a fine exhibition plant, whose colour is distinct from
that of most Orchids. All of them require the heat of a
Cattleya house, and they are best grown in pots, in peat and
good drainage, with a liberal supply of water at the roots
when growing. They are propagated by division.

A. cardinale. — A very beautiful species from Guatemala,
with dark evergreen foliage. Flowers produced on upright
spikes a foot high ; sepals and petals light rose ; lip deep
red ; in bloom during the summer months, and lasts three
or four weeks in perfection.

A. giganteum. — A magnificent species from Guatemala, and
certainly the best of the genus, having dark evergreen
foliage and a graceful habit. The flower-spikes, which are
produced from the top of the bulbs, grow from about eight
inches to a foot high ; the blossoms are beautiful dark purple
and rose : they are produced during April and May, and last
three weeks in perfection. Previously to being exhibited,
this requires to be kept at the coolest end of the house, for
it will generally come in too early if not kept back.

A. spicatum. — A pretty evergreen Orchid from Guatemala,
with dark red flowers on an upright spike, which con-
tinues in beauty three or four weeks during the winter
months,

BAEKERIAS.

These plants are deciduous, losing their leaves during their
season of rest j they are small-growing, but free in producing

BARKERIAS. 57

flowers, which are both rich and delicate in colour. These
plants merit a place in every collection. I have seen only
five species. The Barkerias are compact-growing, with up-
right 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 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 their 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 very 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.

B. elegans. — A splendid species from Guatemala, pro-
ducing upright spikes during the winter season j sepals and
petals dark rose ; lip reddish crimson, spotted and edged with
a lighter colour ; flowers as large as those of B. spectabilis.
The finest of the genus, and very rare ; of this there are
two varieties, one not so good as the other.

B. melanocaulon. — A pretty and free-flowering Orchid from
Costa Rica. 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 desir-
able species.

B. Lindleyana. — 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.

58 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

B. SUnneri. — A beautiful free-flowering Orchid from
Guatemala, with deep rose-coloured blossoms, which are pro-
duced on a spike sometimes two 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. spectdbilis. — A charming species from the same country
as Skinneri, the flowers of which proceed from the top of the
bulb, on a spike bearing eight or 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 perfection, if kept in a
cool house. This makes a splendid plant for exhibition. I
have seen specimens at the Chiswick and Regent's Park
shows, with as many as twenty spikes on one block. A very
distinct and desirable Orchid.

BLETIAS.

These are terrestrial Orchids. There are several species
of this genus, but there are only a few that are worth
growing. They are of easy culture, and may be grown in
any warm house, so long as frost is kept from them • the
bulbs are round and flat, from which proceed 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.

B. campanulata, from Peru. The blossoms are of a deep
purple, with a white centre : flowers at different times of the
year, and lasts long in perfection.

BOLBOPHYLLtM. 59

B. Shepkerdii, from Jamaica. The flowers are purple,
marked down the centre with yellow : blooms during the
winter months on a long spike, which keeps in perfection
three or four weeks.

B. patula, from the same place as the last. Produces its
dark purple flowers, which last three or four weeks, on a long
spike, in March or April. These plants require to be well
grown to make them flower. The colour 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-growers, but I think they are worth the care that is
bestowed upon them on account of their colour.

BOLBOPHYLLUM.

There are several species of this genus, but only one that
is worth growing, Henshalli ; 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 propa-
gated by dividing the bulb.

B. barUgerum, 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.

B. Henshalli, from Java, introduced by Messrs. Veitch 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.

B. 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.

60 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

BKASSAVOLA.

There are several species~of this genus, but only a few 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 of water
during the growing season, but afterwards they need water-
ing less frequently. They are best grown in the warmest
house, and are propagated by dividing the plants.

B. acaulis. — A very good species from Central America,
with rush-like foliage and compact growth. Flowers large,
creamy white, produced in September, and remain a long
time in beauty.

B. Digbyana. — A fine compact evergreen species from the
West Indies. The plant is about six inches high, the sepals
and petals of the flower are creamy 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.

B. glauca. — 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 bloom every
year if the plant is strong, producing one large flower from a
sheath at the top of the bulb.

B. venom. — A pretty free-flowering species from Central
America, small and compact, with white flowers, which are
produced at different times of the year. It grows best on a
block suspended from the roof.

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

BEASSIAS. 61

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 require
a liberal supply of water at the roots in the growing 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 the plants when they begin to
grow.

B. Lanceana. — A free-flowering Orchid from Demerara,
blooming at different times of the year, and bearing yellow
blossoms spotted with brown, which last three weeks in per-
fection. There are two varieties of this plant, one much
better than the other, having larger and brighter coloured
flowers.

B. Lawrenceana, from Demerara, blooming abundantly
from June to August. The colour of the flower is yellow and
green spotted with brown, and lasts three or four weeks in
good condition, if kept dry.

B. 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.

B. 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.

B. verrucosa superba. — A fine variety from Mexico, whose
growth is stronger than, and the flowers twice the size of, the
preceding, and of a lighter colour. This is the best of
the genus I have seen, and is well worth a place in every
collection.

B. Wrayce. — A very good species from Guatemala, pro-
ducing its flowers on spikes two or three feet long; sepals

62 THE OECHID-GKOWER'S MANUAL.

and petals 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.

BROUGHTONIA.

B. 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 pro-
duces its spikes of crimson flowers from the top of the bulb
during the summer months, lasting a long 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.

BUKLINGTONIA.

There are some beautiful species of this genus ; they are
very compact in growth, except amoena, with beautiful ever-
green foliage, from four to six 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 to perfection. I find
them thrive best in baskets with sphagnum moss and pot-
sherds, 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 propagated by dividing
the plant. The following are among the best kinds of this
beautiful class of plants with which I am acquainted.

JS. amoena. — A beautiful free-flowering species from Brazil,
but a straggling grower ; it keeps on growing and flower-
ing and throwing out roots all up the stem. The flowers,
which are produced on upright spikes, are of a delicate white
pencilled with light rose. They are produced during the

CALANTHE. 63

winter months. It succeeds best in a basket or on a block
suspended from the roof.

B. Candida. — A handsome free - flowering Orchid from
Demerara, producing drooping spikes of flowers, which are of
a delicate white, with the exception of the upper part of the
lip, which is yellow. It flowers at different times of the year.
This plant has been very scarce till within the last two years.
Thomas Bewley, Esq., of Black Rock, Dublin, in whose collec-
tion I saw some large masses growing on blocks, has, however,
imported a fine lot. Mr. O'Brien, his gardener, informed me
that to grow them in anything like perfection they must
have a good supply of moisture at the roots, and should never
be allowed to get dry.

JB. fragrans. — A charming Orchid from Brazil. The white
flowers, with yellow down the centre of the lip, are produced
on a spike in April and May, and last three or four weeks in
beauty, if kept free from damp.

B. 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 continues in perfection a
long time. A scarce Orchid.

B. venusta. — A very good species from Brazil, the blossoms
being white, with yellow down the centre of the lip. It
blooms at different times of the year; lasts two or three
weeks in good condition.

CALANTHE.

There are some beautiful species belonging to this class of
plants, which are great favourites, and ought to be in every
collection. They are of easy culture, having handsome ever-
green foliage, except vestita and Veitchii, which are deciduous,
losing their 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

64 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

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.

C. Dominii. — A good and distinct hybrid, which grows in
the same way as masuca. It was raised by Mr. Dominy
from seed in this country, and is a cross between masuca
and veratrifolia. A fine free-blooming plant.

C. furcata. — A showy Orchid from India, which is very free
in producing its spikes of cream-white flowers, three feet long,
and lasting in perfection six weeks. It flowers in June, July,
and August, and is a good plant for exhibitions.

C. masuca. — A magnificent and free-flowering 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 per-
fection. This is a charming plant for exhibition, the colour
.being very distinct.

CALAOTHE. 65

C. masuca grandiflora. — A charming variety, with ever-
green foliage and flower-spikes from three to four feet high ;
continues blooming for three months ; sepals and petals
white shading off to lilac, lip bright lilac. One plant of it
was shown last year at five shows, proving it to be a fine
variety for exhibition, on account of its long continuous
blooming season. Very scarce.

C. Veitchii. — A beautiful mule, raised between Limatodes
rosea and Galanthe vestita by Mr. Dominy. It is a deciduous
plant, and grows like C. vestita ; the flower-spikes are eighteen
inches high ; the blossoms a rich rose colour. This will prove
a useful species.

C. 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.

(7. vestita rubra oculata. — A charming free-flowering Orchid
from Moulmein ; deciduous, and producing, from October ta
February, long drooping flower-spikes, which have a white,
downy covering, and rise from the base of finely-formed
and silvery-green bulbs when the latter are destitute of
leaves. The sepals and petals of the flowers are of a delicate
white ; the lip is the same, with a blotch of rich crimson in
the centre. No collection ought to be without both varie-
ties. They are fine plants for winter blooming, the flowers
being two inches across. We have a plant of this fine species
with thirty spikes, and frequently with from twenty to thirty
flowers on each spike, continuing in perfection for three
months.

C. vestita lutea. — A variety of the preceding with white
sepals and petals, and a lip of the same colour, with a blotch

66 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

of yellow in the centre ; its flower-spikes are produced in the
same way as the last, and at the same time ; it is nearly
equal to it in point of beauty, and though a deciduous plant
is useful for winter decoration.

CAMAROTIS.

Camarotis purpurea. — A beautiful upright-growing Orchid,
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, gardener to R. S. Holford, Esq., Tetbury,
Gloucestershire.

CATTLETAS.

These rank among our finest Orchids ; they are general
favourites, and there can be little doubt that, as the mode of
treatment which they require, and the ease with which they may
be brought to a high state of perfection become better un-
derstood, they will be extensively cultivated. Many of the
bulbs are singular and agreeable in form ; and the dark ever-
green foliage of the plants when in a healthy condition,
together with their compact habit of growth, renders them
peculiarly attractive. Some of the sorts have only a single
leaf at the top of each bulb ; others, as C. Skinneri and C.
intermedia, have two, and C. granulosa and G. Leopoldiana

CATTLEYAS. 67

have three : the flowers are large, elegant in form, and
scarcely surpassed in their brilliant richness and depth of
colours ; the most frequent of which are violet, rose, crimson,
white, and purple, with their intermediate shades. The
flower-scape, which is enclosed in a sheath, rises from the top
of the bulb, and a single spike sometimes contains as many
as nine perfect flowers ; and I have seen as many as thirty.
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, G. violacea, C. superba, and several
others, flower while making their growth. In the cultivation
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 pot-
sherds, which I cover with a layer of moss, and then fill 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 in the Mexican 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 sufficient 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 require a

-F 2

68 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

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 difficult to
remove, and the plants are in danger of being destroyed.
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 that of the house.
They are propagated by dividing the plants.

The following list comprises the most beautiful and valuable
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.

Catileya Aclandice. — A charming Orchid from Brazil, of a
dwarf habit, bulbs seldom being above six inches high. It
is a very shy-blooming plant; but its large chocolate-
coloured flowers are variegated with yellow, and have a rich
rose-coloured lip. It flowers in June and July, and remains
long in perfection. There is a fine specimen of this, about
two feet high, in the collection of J. Day, Esq., Tottenham,
on a block of wood.

G. amabilis. — A magnificent free-flowering Orchid from
Brazil, growing about eighteen inches high, making two
growths in one year, and blooming from the one that is
formed in spring. On each spike are from three to five
blossoms, which remain about four weeks in perfection ; the
sepals and petals are of delicate pink ; the lip is large and of
the richest crimson. Undoubtedly the finest of the inter-
media class, which it closely resembles ; it blooms during the
summer months, and makes a fine exhibition plant. Very
rare.

C. amethystiglossa. — A beautiful and distinct new species
from Brazil, and one of the finest I have seen ; grows from
two to three feet high in the way of Leopoldii, with two

CATTLEYAS. 69

leaves on the top of the bulb ; from the centre of the leaves
are produced spikes, with six or seven flowers on each,
measuring more than five inches across ; sepals and petals
light rose-spotted with rich purple ; lip deep purple ; blooms
in March, April, and May, and will last five weeks in per-
fection. I have only seen this in the collection of R. Warner,
Esq., of Broomfield ; I know of no one else who has it true :
plants sometimes sold for it appear to differ from it both in
growth and flower.

C. bicolor. — 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 perfec-
tion. It produces as many as eight or ten flowers o# p,
spike. This is a strong grower, rising eighteen inches or
two feet high. There are two varieties of this plant^, pne
much better than the other,

0. Candida. — A desirable free-growing species from Brazil,
about a foot high ; sepals and petals are of a delicate 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 damp. This plant makes
two growths in a year, and blooms from both, producing
three or four flowers on a spike.

C. 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.

C. 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

70 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

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.

C. crispa superba. — A magnificent variety, the flowers of
which are larger than those of the preceding; sepals and
petals pure white ; lip rich crimson and beautifully fringed.
I consider this to be one of the finest Cattleyas in cultiva-
tion if true, but many are sold under this name which have
no claim to it. It blooms in July and August, and will last
from two to three weeks in beauty.

C. Edithiana. — A most splendid species from Brazil, with
dark green foliage a foot high ; in growth like G. Mossioe ;
the flowers are very large, measuring in diameter from six
to seven iiches j sepals and petals light mauve ; lip also
mauve striped with white, upper part buff. The flowers are
produced in May and June, and remain in 'perfection three
or four weeks ; the only example I have seen of this, which
will make a fine exhibition plant, is in the collection of
R. Warner, Esq., at Broomfield.

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

C. granulosa, from Brazil. — A free-growing species, pro-
ducing 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 worth growing, for its distinct
colours.

C. guttata, from Brazil, is a free-growing Orchid, about
twenty inches high. The flowers are of a greenish yellow,

CATTLEYAS. 71

beautifully spotted with 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, last two weeks in bloom and is a very dis-
tinct species.

0. guttata Leopoldii. — A charming variety from Brazil ;
grows about twenty inches high, and has short dark green
foliage ; a free-blooming kind, producing its flowers after it
has made its growth. Sepals and petals dark brown, spotted
with crimson ; lip purple. I have seen this with thirty
flowers on one spike, a condition in which it was exhibited at
Regent's Park by Mr. Page, gardener to W. Leaf, Esq.,
Streatham, in whose collection it was grown ; it was the
finest spike I ever remember seeing ; it generally has from
six to ten flowers on a spike, and continues in perfection
about three weeks ; makes a fine plant for exhibition on
account of its distinct colour. Of this there are six fine
varieties in the collection of T. Robinson, Esq., Birkenhead,
all very fine and worth describing ; but unfortunately I did
not take any notes of them when in bloom.

G. Harrisonice, from Brazil. — A free-growing Orchid, at-
taining 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 beautiful 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. Harrisonice, grown by Mr. Woolley, late
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.

C. Harrisonice violacea. — A charming Brazilian variety,
which grows about two feet high, and makes two growths in
one year, flowering on both in July, August, and September,
and will last in bloom four weeks if kept in the coolest
house. The sepals and petals are of a beautiful violet ; lip

72 THE ORCHID-GKOWER'S MANUAL.

same colour, with a little yellow in the centre. Will make a
fine exhibition plant, the colour being very different from
that of many other Orchids.

C. hybrida. — This was raised in this country by Mr.
Veitch, a pretty species, but not so good as many others ;
still well worth growing.

G. 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.
There are several varieties of C. intermedia.

G. intermedia superba. — A splendid variety from Brazil ;
grows* about fourteen inches high, and makes two growths in
one year ; but only flowers from the one made in spring,
Sepals and petals delicate rose ; lip broad, and of the richest
purple ; from four to six blossoms produced on a spike ;
makes a fine plant for exhibition, and will last about four
weeks in perfection.

C. labiata. — One of the best of the Gattleyas ; 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 blooms in October and November, and
will continue in perfection three or four weeks. The flowers
are very large, often six inches across, with three or four
on a spike. The finest specimen I ever saw was in the
collection of R. Hanbury, Esq., Pole's Gardens, near Ware.
The plant was cultivated in a large tub, about two feet
across. This superb Gattleya was first flowered by the late
Mr. Cattley, of Barnet, in honour of whom the genus is
named.

G. labiata atropurpurea. — A splendid variety which grows
about the same height as the preceding ; flowers large, and

CATTLEYAS. 73

of a much richer colour ; sometimes produced in fives on a
spike. This I have seen in the collection of E. McMorland,
Esq., Haverstock Hill.

C. labiata pallida. — A beautiful variety from Brazil, whose
growth is shorter than that of the two preceding ; leaves
upright, and of a lighter green ; blooms in August. Sepals
and petals light pink ; lip crimson, beautifully fringed ; a
useful variety on account of its flowering earlier than labiata,
and, if the flowers are kept dry, it will remain three weeks
in good condition.

C. labiata picta. — When well bloomed one of the finest of
all Cattleyas ; flowers large, but produced sparingly, and
often deformed ; when well expanded, however, magnificent ;
grows about a foot high, with light green foliage ; a single
bloom sometimes measures seven inches across. Sepals and
petals pure white ; lip of the richest crimson, and beau-
tifully fringed. Flowers during June and July, and will
continue three or four weeks in perfection. This was first
flowered at Sion House, and is often called Sioii House
Cattleya.

C. Lemoniana. — Distinct from Mossice in growth, the leaves
being shorter. It grows about a foot high, and has light
green foliage ; the flowers are produced during the summer ;
colour pale pink, with yellow in the centre of the lip ; will
last three or four weeks in bloom.

C. lobata. — A charming species from Brazil, very much
like crispa in growth, but shorter in both bulb and leaf.
Blossoms deep rich rose ; a very shy-flowering plant, produc-
ing its blooms in May and June, and continuing about three
weeks in perfection. One seldom sees this plant exhibited
on account of its shy flowering : it was, however, shown last
year with several flowers on it, and had a good effect, its rich
colour being attractive.

G. Loddigesii, from Brazil. — Grows a foot or more high ; a
free-flowering species ; sepals and petals of a pale rose colour,

74 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

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.

C. marginata. — A handsome dwarf plant from Brazil, about
six inches high. Sepals and petals rosy crimson ; lip deep
rose, margined with white. It produces its bloom in Septem-
ber and October, and lasts three weeks in perfection. The
flowers are large, one and sometimes two being on a spike.
It is a very desirable plant, and ought to be in every collec-
tion, however small, as it requires but very little room. It
grows the best on a block of wood, 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. A scarce Orchid.

C. maxima. — A magnificent species from Columbia ; grows
from a foot to eighteen inches high. A distinct growing
plant, producing its blossoms, which are bright rose, in No-
vember and December, four or five on a spike ; lip richly
variegated, with dark crimson veins down the centre. Of
this there are two varieties. J. Day, Esq., of Tottenham,
and J. A. Turner, Esq., of Manchester, both possess a
very fine variety of this charming plant, which will last in
perfection three weeks.

C. McMorlandiL — A fine species from Brazil ; in the way
of Mossice, growing about a foot high, with dark green foliage.
Flowers about six inches in diameter. Sepals and petals
beautiful light rose j lip yellow and fringed. Blooms in June
and July, and remains three or four weeks in perfection.
Very distinct, and makes a fine exhibition plant.

C. Mossice. — This magnificent and free-flowering Orchid is
from La Guayra. It grows a foot or more high, blooms from
March to August. The flowers are very large, a single one
being four or five inches across, and three or four growing on
one spike. There are many varieties of this plant, with
blossoms of every shade of colour, from pale pink, white,

CATTLEYAS. 75

crimson, and rose purple. This species makes a noble plant
for exhibition. I have seen specimens of C. Mossice at the
Chiswick and Regent's 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.

C. Mossice aurantiaca. — A splendid variety from Brazil ;
grows about a foot high. Sepals and petals rose pink ; lip
darker in colour, with rich orange yellow in the centre. Of
this there is a fine variety in the collection of J. A. Turner,
Esq., Manchester, called Aurea grandiflora; it continues in
flower same time as Mossice.

C. Mossice superba. — A magnificent variety from La Guayra.
I have seen this with flowers measuring seven inches across.
The leaves are broad, and the plant grows about a foot high,
sepals and petals, .splendid rose ; lip large, of rich crimson,
and beautifully fringed. A fine plant for exhibition on
account of its free-flowering habit and rich colour.

C. pumila. — 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, and is like marginata in growth.

C. quadricolor. — A very rare and pretty species, which
grows about ten inches high, and produces its blossoms in
May and June on the young growths. Sepals and petals
light rose ; lip same colour, yellow on the upper part.

C. Schilleriana. — A charming species, which grows much
like C. Adandice; the foliage is however darker and rounder;
blooms during the summer months from the young growths;
flowers large, and nearly the same colour as Aclandice, but
much darker, and they remain in perfection three or four
weeks, if kept dry. Of this there is a very beautiful variety
called Regnelli.

C. Skinneri. — A beautiful and free-flowering plant from
Guatemala ; grows about a foot high, and blooms in March,

76 THE OKCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

April, and May : the blossoms are rose-purple, and 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.

C. superba. — 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 colour, 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.

C. violacea. — A handsome, free-flowering species from Brazil,
which grows about twenty inches high. It produces flowers
In abundance, from July to September : the flowers 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.

C. Wagnerii. — A splendid free-flowering Cattleya in the
way of C. Mossier,, and with flowers equal in size ; sepals and
petals white ; lip also white, with rich yellow in the centre.
A fine plant for exhibition, producing blossoms in June and
July, and lasting about three weeks in perfection.

(7. Walkeriana. — A truly elegant dwarf species from Brazil,
about four inches high, with large, light, rose-coloured flowers ;
the lip, which is a richer rose than the other part, having a
slight tinge of yellow : 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 that of any other Gattleya : it is
also sweet-scented, and will fill the house with perfume. I
always grow this plant on a block of wood, surrounded by a

CHYSIS. 77

little sphagnum moss, and suspended from the roof in a
place where there is plenty of light, but not too much sun ;
very rare species.

C. Warnerii. — One of the finest of all Cattleyas ; grows in
the same way as labiata, and with blossoms equal in size, a
very useful species for summer exhibition j flowers large,
more than six inches across j sepals and petals, beautiful
rose j lip large, of a rich crimson, and finely fringed. This
rare plant I saw for the first time in the collection of
R Warner, Esq., and I thought it the finest and most magni-
ficent Cattleya that had ever come under my notice ; of this
there are, however, several varieties.

C. Warscewiczii. — A magnificent species which grows about
a foot high, with light green foliage, in the way of Mosswe.
The flowers are large ; sepals and petals purplish white ; lip
rich crimson. Of this there are also several varieties ;
blossoms during the winter months, and continues three or
four weeks in perfection. Mr. Baker, gardener to A. Bassett,
Esq., Stamford Hill, had a splendid variety of this, with many
blossoms on it. At present it is a great rarity.

C. Warscewiczii delicata. — A magnificent variety in the way
of Mosswe, but still very distinct : grows about a foot high :
blossoms six inches across ; sepals and petals white ; lip
large, with a beautiful yellow centre, and a tinge of rose, and
white on the outside. Blooms in December and January :
very useful during winter, and continues in perfection three
or four weeks. This fine variety was exhibited before the
Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society in
February, 1862, by E. McMorland, Esq., Haverstock Hill.

CHYSIS.

This is a beautiful, though limited, class of plants, there
being only four of this genus with which I am acquainted.
They are deciduous, losing the leaves during their season of
rest. The bulbs are thick and fleshy, and about a foot long,

78 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANCTAL.

producing their flowers with the young growth : these will
do on blocks of wood, but grow much finer in baskets or
pots, with peat, moss, and potsherds. They require a liberal
supply of heat and moisture in their growing 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. During 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, pro-
ducing its flowers on a short spike, generally twice a-year : the
blossoms are yellow, the lip is marked with crimson. It
flowers at different times of the year, and lasts two weeks in
beauty.

C. bractescens. — A fine species from Guatemala : 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.

C. Icevis, 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 different times
of the year, and lasts two weeks in good condition. A scarce
plant.

C. Limminghii. — A charming species from Guatemala,
which grows a foot high, producing delicate pink and rose-
coloured flowers very freely along with the young growth
in May and June, and they continue in perfection three
weeks. This makes a good exhibition plant, but requires a
cool house to keep it back for late flowering.

CGELOGTNE.

There are many species of this class of plants, some of
which are very beautiful ; the colour of the flowers of some

COSLOGYNE. 79

being rich and of a most delicate hue, whilst others are not
worth growing. The following produce the best flowers, and
all I have seen are evergreen. Almost all the Coelogynes have
bulbs from three to six inches, from which the flowers pro-
ceed 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 season,
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.
They are propagated by dividing the bulbs.

Coelogyne 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 con-
tinue 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. I have seen it with as many as
sixty blossoms on it at one time. This occurred on a speci-
men grown by Mr. Baker, gardener to A. Bassett, Esq.,
Stamford Hill.

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

C. 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 winter months, and lasts three or four
weeks in good condition.

80 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

C. 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 colour. It blooms in June or July ; lasts two
weeks in good condition. This requires a large pot to grow
it in perfection, being one of the freest of all the Coelogynes.

C. media. — A pretty small growing species, with short
round bulbs, and leaves seven inches long ; flowers on spikes,
ten inches high ; sepals and petals, creamy white ; lip, yellow
and brown ; blooms during winter, and lasts in perfection
three or four weeks ; grows well on a block, or in a pot in peat.

C. pandurata. — A curious and distinct flowering Orchid
from Borneo ; grows eighteen inches high, and has flat shiny
bulbs, from the bottom of which the flower spikes proceed,
several together ; upper part of the flower green, lip nearly
black.

C. plantaginia. — A desirable Indian species, with greenish
yellow flowers, having a white lip streaked with brown ; a
distinct kind.

C. speciosa. — A free-flowering plant from Borneo, evergreen,
and about eight inches high ; the flowers are creamy white
with a dark brown lip, and are produced on a short spike,
two or more together, at different times of the year. It
lasts long in bloom.

CORYANTHES.

These are very large, extraordinary-looking flowers. Before
the blossoms open they are in the shape of a Chinese foot ;
after opening, they 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, four or five together.
The plants are evergreen, with leaves ten inches long, on
short bulbs three inches high. The leaves are two or three

CYCKOCHES. 81

inches broad. They will grow either in baskets or pots, with
moss and peat and good drainage ; they require a liberal sup-
ply of water at the roots during their period of growth, with
a good heat. After they have made their growth they
should be kept rather dry, so that their bulbs be not
allowed to shrivel. They are propagated by division of the
bulbs.

Coryanthes macrantha. — The best of the genus 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.

C. metadata. — From Demerara. — Flowers dull yellow,
spotted with dull crimson ; blooms during the summer
months, and lasts but three days in beauty.

C. speciosa. — This singular Orchid also comes from Deme-
rara, 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.

Another singular tribe of plants, whose 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 well worth growing j they are of easy culture, and pro-
duce 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 ; afterwards they may be
kept much cooler, and should be placed near the glass, to

82 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

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 propagated by dividing
the bulbs when they begin to grow.

Cycnoches barbatum, 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.

G. cklorockilum. — A very good species from Demerara ;
the flowers, which are of a yellowish colour, are produced
in June or July, and last three weeks in good condition if
kept dry.

C. 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 brown-
ish-green colour, with darker spots, and bearing resemblance
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.

C. 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.

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

CYMBTDIUM.

' There are several species of this genus, but only a few that
are good ; some of them are very handsome, and delicate in
colour. They are all evergreen, with beautiful foliage ; some
are large-growing plants with short bulbs, from which the
leaves and flowers proceed. They are generally free-flowering

CYMBIDIUM. 83

plants, and some of them produce pendulous spikes as much
as two feet long. They 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 following are the best I have
seen : —

Cymbidium eburneum. — 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 white : the lip is the same colour, with a blotch of
yellow in the centre : the flowers are erect, about six 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 mag-
nificent plant, of which there are two varieties. I saw a
pretty kind grown by Mr. Stone, gardener to J. Day, Esq.,
Tottenham. This is smaller in growth than eburneum, and
the flowers are not so large as the former. Sepals and petals
pure white ; lip same colour, with a blotch of yellow in the
centre, and rose-coloured spots on each side.

(7. 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 flowers are
produced on long spikes during the winter, and last long in
perfection if they are kept dry.

C. Mastersii. — A pretty Orchid from India. It is a great
deal like eburneum 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.

C. pendulum. — A very good Orchid from Sylhet : a large-

G 2

84 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

growing plant, with long drooping spikes from one to two feet
long. Sepals and petals brown; the lip red, striped with
white. It blooms in July or August, and lasts long in
beauty.

CYPEIPEDIUMS.

These are all beautiful in foliage as well as in flower, and
are worth a place in every collection. They are of easy cul-
ture, 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, loam, and sand ; 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 j they have no thick fleshy bulbs to
supply them with nourishment. They are propagated by
dividing the plant.

Cypripedium barbatum. — A pretty 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.

C. barbatum grandiflorum. — A charming variety, the
flowers of which are larger than those of any of the other
kinds, and it has finely variegated foliage. Flowers in July
and August, and continues six weeks in bloom.

C. barbatum superbum. — A fine variety, which grows in the
same way as barbatum ; but the foliage is more variegated,

CYPRIPEDIUMS. 85

and the flowers much handsomer, the lip being very dark and
the upper petal having more white. There is another variety
called nigrum, with a larger lip, which flowers at the same
time, and will last about six weeks in perfection. This makes
a fine plant for exhibition.

C. biflora. — A handsome species from India, in the way of
barbatum, but with more variegated foliage. Grows four
inches high. The blossoms are produced on a spike ten
inches long; sometimes two flowers appear on one stem ; the
top petal is very handsome, the upper part being a beautiful
white, the other part of the flower a purplish brown. Blooms
in February and March, and will keep six weeks in good
condition. A rare plant.

C. 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.

C. caudatum roseum. — A variety which grows in the same
way as the preceding, and flowers at the same time. Blos-
soms rose, intermixed with yellow and green. Well worth
growing.

C. Dayii. — A charming plant, the foliage of which is beau-
tifully variegated ; very distinct from any other of the varie-
gated class. Flowers in May and June, and lasts a long time
in perfection. Blooms large. Sepals white, with green veins ;
petals purplish, tinged with green.

C. Farrieanum. — A beautiful and distinct species from
India, with leaves three inches long, of a light green colour.
Blooms very freely during the autumn months, and will
continue in perfection six weeks. Petals white, striped
with green and purple ; lip large brownish green and
purple.

C. hirsutissimum. — A beautiful Indian species, with pale

86 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

green foliage ten inches long ; the flowers proceed from the
centre of the young growths on a stem ten inches high j
the blossoms, which often measure six inches across, are
of a purple, light green, and brown colour : they open
in March, April, and May, and last six weeks in per-,
fection.

G. insigne. — A good old species from Sylhet, with light
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.

C. insigne Maulei. — A charming variety of the preceding.
Grows in the same way, and flowers at the same time.
Upper petal, however, more white, and the whole flower
better in colour. This was exhibited by Messrs. Maule and
Sons, Bristol, after whom it is named. The blossoms will
continue in perfection six weeks.

€. Lowii. — A curious and beautiful Orchid from Borneo,
with light green foliage. This rare Orchid produces 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.

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

C. Sclilimii. — A rare and beautiful species from South
America. Very distinct in growth, as well as in flower, from
most others ; foliage eight inches long ; light green ; spikes
branching, with as many as eight flowers on each. Flowers
two inches across. Sepals and petals white and green ; lip
white, beautifully mottled, and striped with dark rose. This
is a difficult plant to cultivate : it therefore requires great
care. Pot in peat and sand, with good drainage, and

DENDROBIUMS. 87

take care that water does not lodge in the heart of the
plant.

C. wllosum. — A desirable Indian species, which grows about
a foot high, of a light green colour, spotted on the lower part
of the leaves with dark spot. Flowers on single stems, often
measuring five inches across, and having a fine glossy appear-
ance over their whole surface, which is orange red, intermixed
with light green and dark purple. Blossoms during April
and May, and continues six weeks in perfection. This makes
a fine exhibition plant on account of its long continuance in
flower and distinct colour.

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 sur-
pass 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 strag-
gling ; some are very gracefully growing plants, especially
when cultivated in baskets and suspended from the roof, so
that their pendulous bulbs hang down and exhibit their
flowers to the best advantage : all the drooping kinds require
to be grown in this way ; some of them are evergreen, others
are deciduous.

Though some of the dendrobiums require different treat-
ment from others, they may all be successfully cultivated
with 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 water ; and to grow
these plants to perfection they must have a good season
both of rest and growth. They require to be grown strong
to flower well. Some of the sorts are best grown in pots,
with peat and good drainage ; others do best, on blocks of

88 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

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 wrater 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 biilbs from shrivelling. This is the
only way to make them grow strong and flower 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 plants after they have done blooming ; others are in-
creased by dividing the plants according to the directions
given in reference to propagation (p. 27). The dendrobiums
are a large class of plants ; some of them not worth grow-
ing, excepting for botanical purposes. The following are
among the finest in cultivation, and will amply reward the
care of the cultivator.

Dendrobium aduncum. — From Manilla. — A rather straggling
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 not
so good as many of the dendrobiums, but it is worth growing
where there is plenty of room.

D. aggregatum majus. — 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 March and April, and lasts two weeks in bloom.

DENDROBIUMS. 89

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 pro-
duces its large flowers, which are creamy white, from nearly
the top of the bulb, with a crimson blotch on the centre of
the lip. It blooms in July, and lasts a long time in perfec-
tion, and is best on a block, with moss. A scarce Orchid, and
a fine showy plant for exhibition. This is a difficult plant
to grow, so much so, that few people do it well. The best
plant I have seen of it was in the collection of T. Robinson,
Esq., Birkenhead, where it was growing on a block of wood,
in sphagnum, and seemed to be quite at home, for the bulbs
were very strong ; Mr. Atkinson, the gardener, informed me
that it required plenty of water during the growing season,
and that it liked the warmest house.

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. anosmum. — A magnificent species from Manilla, which
grows in the way of macrophillum, but has better shaped
flowers, and no rhubarb scent ; the flowers which are large,
are produced in pairs down the stem ; colour beautiful rose,
and they last two or three weeks in perfection. Even now
this is a scarce plant, it blooms during the spring months,
and is best grown in a basket, as it is drooping and deci-
duous.

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 bright yellow, lip same colour";
it blooms during the summer months, lasting but four
days in bloom. This is best grown in a pot, with mosa
or peat.

90 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

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

D. chrysanthemum. — A charming species from India, deci-
duous and pendulous, growing about three or four feet long,
and generally 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 dif-
ferent times of the year, lasting two weeks in perfection, and
requiring the same treatment as Cambridgeanum.

D. chrysotoxum. — From India.— An upright- growing 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 two or three
weeks in flower. Of this there are two varieties, one much
better than the other : pot and peat culture suits it
best.

D. clavatum. — A remarkably handsome species from India ;
grows two feet high, evergreen, and produces spikes of flower
from the top of the bulbs ; colour bright yellow, with a
crimson spot in the centre of the lip ; this is one of the
finest of the yellow kinds, and it continues in perfection
three or four weeks ; makes a fine exhibition plant ; pot
culture in peat suits it best.

D. crepidatum. — A splendid deciduous drooping species
from India ; the bulbs grow a foot or more long ; it is best
grown in a basket, or on a block ; sepals and petals white,
tipped with pink ; lip stained with yellow ; blooms in April
and May, and continues three weeks in perfection : a very
rare species, and one which will make a good plant for
exhibition if grown to a good size,

DENDROBIUMS. 91

2). 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.

D. Dalhousianum. — This is a beautiful Indian evergreen
species; bulbs are elegantly marked, and grow 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,
with moss. Specimen plants of this are scarce, and justly
prized by those who possess them : makes a good plant for
exhibition.

D. dewiflorum. — A magnificent evergreen Orchid from
India ; compact and free flowering, of upright growth, 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 a
pot with peat, and is one of the choicest plants we have for
exhibition, on account of its colour. I have seen this with
nearly one hundred flower-spikes on it at one time, in the
collection of J. Day, Esq., Tottenham.

D. densiflorum album. — An Indian kind, distinct from the
former, and called Schroder's variety; grows same height
as densiflorum, and has foliage of the same colour ; flowers
pink and white, lip yellow ; blossoms in April and May, and
continues about ten days in perfection ; it grows best in a
pot in peat.

D. 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

92 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

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. Falconerii. — A magnificent Orchid from India, and one
of the most beautiful of the genus; it is a pendulous
grower, and so difficult to cultivate that only a few have
succeeded well with it. Mr. Baynes, gardener to R. Michols,
Esq., Bowden, Manchester, manages this plant better than
any I have seen ; he grows it on a block, without moss,
merely tying the plant on with the bulbs hanging down ;
during the growing season it likes a good supply of water,
but after it has finished growth, which is by autumn, it
should be kept dry till it begins to show flower, merely
giving just sufficient moisture to keep it from shrivelling ;
under this treatment it flowers every year, well repaying
any trouble that is taken to induce it to produce its
charming white and purple flowers, which open in May
and Juns, and remain in perfection two weeks ; a very rare
plant.

JD. Farmerii. — A beautiful, compact, evergreen Orchid,
from India, with dark green foliage. This grows and flowers
in the same way as densiflorum. 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. fimbriatum. — 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 flowers are of a bright yellow, and
beautifully fringed. This plant will continue flowering from
the old bulbs for years : it generally blossoms during the

DENDROBIUMS. 93

spring months, seldom lasting more than four days in bloom ;
is best grown in a basket, with moss.

D. fimbriatum oculatum. — A beautiful evergreen variety of
the preceding, producing flower-spikes on the top of the
bulbs, and growing from two to three feet high ; it succeeds
best in a pot, in peat ; the flowers are large, of a rich orange
yellow, with deep brown spot on the lip j blooms in March
and April, if kept dry, and lasts ten days in perfection.

D. formosum. — 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.

D. formosum giganteum. — A magnificent Indian variety
of the preceding, much stronger in growth, and evergreen ;
the flowers, which are produced on the top of the bulbs,
measure from four to five inches across ; colour delicate
white, with bright yellow on the centre of the lip j requires
the same treatment as formosum, and remains in bloom
about the same time. E. M'Morland, Esq., Haverstock
Hill, possesses a fine specimen of this, with as many as twenty-
one leading growths, which, when in bloom, must make a
fine display.

D. Gibsonii. — A very pretty evergreen and upright grow-
ing Orchid from India, about two feet high : the blossoms
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
as formosum.

D. Heyneanum. — A charming deciduous species from Bom-
bay, which grows eight inches high, and produces spikes of
white flowers from the tops of the bulbs at different times of

94 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

the year, looking like sprigs of white May. It is best grown
on a block, with a moderate supply of moisture, during
the growing season. It continues about ten days in per-
fection.

D. Jenkinsii. — A beautiful dwarf evergreen species, from
India, about two inches high : the flowers are very 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 : lasts ten days in beauty. This is best grown on a
bare block of wood, suspended from the roof.

D. lituiflorum. — A charming species from India, deciduous
and pendulous : it succeeds best in sphagnum, in a basket
suspended from the roof. It is difficult to grow, and requires
great attention as regards moisture during the growing sea-
son, but it should be kept dry during winter. The flowers
are large, and are produced in pairs up each side of the bulb.
Sepals and petals dark purple ; lip white, edged with purple.
Blooms in March and April, and will last two weeks in
perfection.

D. longicornu majus. — A charming Indian variety, in the
way of formosum, but with growth not so strong. Flowers
white, except the lip, which has a yellow centre, and fringed.
Of this there are two varieties, but the one now described is
the best. It produces its blossoms from the top of the bulb
in May and June, and they continue in perfection a long
time if kept in a cool house. Treatment the same as that
for formosum.

D. Lowii. — A fine new species from Borneo, where it was
found by Mr. H. Low, to whom we are indebted for many beau-
tiful Orchids. A very distinct plant ; it grows in the way of
D. longicornu, with upright bulbs a foot high, furnished with
dark green foliage, and producing flowers in dense racemes
from the sides of the bulbs, seven together, two inches
across. Colour bright yellow, with red markings on the
upper part of the lip. This will succeed in a pot, or basket,

DENDROBIUMS. 95

or on a block, provided it has a liberal supply of water when
in vigorous growth. Blooms in November.

D. macrophyllum. — A fine Orchid from the Philippine
Islands, of pendulous habit ; a deciduous species, losing its
leaves 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 with rose colour
three or four 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. macrophyllum giganteum. — A showy variety from Ma-
nilla, which flowers in the same way as macrophyllum, and
about the same time. Flowers from five to six inches across,
delicate light rose, and they remain about two weeks in per-
fection. A fine plant for exhibition, but it requires to be
kept in a cool house to keep it back for that purpose, as it
generally blooms very early.

D. moniliforme. — A delicate species from Japan : an ever-
green 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 grow in a
basket, but I find it thrives best in a pot, with peat or moss.

D. moniliforme majus. — A fine Japanese variety of the
preceding, growing the same height, but having larger
flowers; the latter being four inches across, and richer in
colour.

D. maschatum. — A handsome species from India : this
grows in the same way as D. calceolare, the flowers are
bright orange ; lip chocolate, edged with yellow, and it lasts
about as long in perfection.

D. nobile. — A magnificent Orchid from India; a free-
flowering evergreen species, of upright growth : the blos-
soms, which are pink and white, with a spot of crimson in

96 THE ORCHID-GROWEK'S MANUAL.

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.

D. nobile intermedium. — A pretty and distinct Indian
variety, which grows in the same way as nobile, and flowers at
the same time. Sepals and petals white ; lip white, with a
crimson spot in the centre. A desirable variety for winter
decoration. A scarce plant.

D. nobile pendulum. — A fine evergreen variety of nobile,
from India, and one which is best grown in a basket, on
account of its pendulous habit. Flowers large, and richer
in colour than those of nobile, and produced at the same
time.

D. 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 days, and requires the same treatment
as nobile.

D. Pierardii. — A useful Orchid, for the winter and spring
months, from India : a drooping, deciduous species, flowering
in the same way as macrophyllum, 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. I have seen it
with seventy flowers on a single bulb. It requires the
same treatment as the former, and is a useful plant for
exhibition.

D. primulinum. — A beautiful free-flowering deciduous
.species, from India, of pendulous growth : the flowers, which

DENDROBIUMS. 97

are white and pink, are produced in two rows down the bulb
in April and May, and they last in perfection ten days. It is
best grown in a basket with sphagnum. A fine plant for
exhibition. I have seen as many as sixty flowers on one
bulb, when grown in baskets, and the bulbs drooping down.
It has a very graceful appearance.

D. pulchellum purpureum. — 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 ; th^ 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. sanguinolentum. — A good species from India, evergreen ;
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. taurinum. — A vigorous growing magnificent species
from India, often attaining a height of five feet, with upright
bulbs. Flowers pure white, with the exception of the lip,
which is margined with purplish violet, and the petals, which
are reddish brown : it is best grown in a pot in peat. Of
this a fine plant may be seen in the collection of S. Rucker,
Esq., Wands worth, under the care of Mr. Pilcher, the
gardener.

D. transparent. — A beautiful small-flowering Orchid from
India ; blooms in the same way as nobile ; the flowers, which
grow in pairs along the bulb, are of a pale, transparent,
pinkish lilac, stained in the middle of the lip with a
blotch of deep crimson : it blooms in May and June, and
does well grown in a pot with peat or moss. A rare plant.

H

98 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

D. tortile. — A charming species from Java j an evergreen,
about two feet high ; blooms in the same way as nobile, and
requires the same treatment. The flowers are pale yellow,
almost white : blooms in May and June, lasting a long time
in perfection.

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

DENDKOCHILCJMS.

A small genus of gracefully growing plants, of which I can
speak only of two ; both are small and compact in habit, and
ought to be in every collection ; they are evergreen, have
small bulbs and narrow leaves, about six inches in length ;
their flower spikes, which are graceful and pendulous, are
produced from the top of the bulbs, hanging down in inter-
esting racemes ; both sorts grow in the East India house in
pots in peat, with good drainage ; they like plenty of water
during the growing season, but after they have finished
growth less will suffice ; they are propagated by dividing the
bulbs just as they begin to grow.

Dendrochilum filiforme. — A charming species, which grows
about six inches high. The flowers, which are produced in
June and July, are of a yellowish green hue, and are prized
for their gracefully drooping habit. When arrived at a good
size, makes a nice exhibition plant.

D. glumaceum. — Another pretty species, with small ever-
green foliage, and producing graceful spikes of greenish white

EPIDENDRUMS. 99

flowers during the summer and winter months : its blossoms
continuing three or four weeks in perfection.

EPIDENDRUMS.

Many of this large class of plants are scarcely worth culti-
vating, excepting for botanical purposes. Some, however,
are sweet-scented. More growers of Orchids have been
deceived in buying Epidendrums, than any other class of
Orchids : the bulbs of so many kinds are so nearly alike, 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 very 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 cinnabarinum, crassifolium and rhizophorum,
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, bicornu-
tum, and Stamfordianum. These grow more in the way of
the Cattleya, with upright bulbs, having two or three short
leaves on the top. They all produce their flowers from the
top of the bulb, except Stamfordianum, in which they rise
from the bottom.

These plants will all do in the Mexican house, and may be
grown on blocks of wood ; but the pot-and-peat culture is
the best. They require a season of rest, with the same treat-
ment as the Cattleyas, excepting less heat : they are propa-
gated by dividing the plants, as described in the remarks on
propagation (p. 27).

Epidendrum alatum majus. — A pretty species from Mexico :

H 2

100 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

its spikes of flowers, produced in June or July, are pale
yellow, with the lip striped with purple, and continue five or
six weeks in beauty. There are several varieties of alatum,
but I only know one, viz. the majus variety, which was
flowered by Mr. Woolley, Cheshunt.

E. atropurpureum, var. roseum. — A fine Orchid, which grows
twelve inches high, with evergreen foliage and short round
bulbs, from the top of which it produces spikes of flower.
Sepals and petals dark purple ; lip large, of a beautiful rose
colour, and continues in perfection a long time. It is best
grown in a pot, in peat, with plenty of drainage.

E. aurantiacum. — A charming species from Guatemala.
This plant grows in the same way as the Cattleya Skinneri,
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 perfec-
tion if kept in a cool house. There are two varieties of this
plant, one of which never expands its flowers. I have them
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.

E. aloifolium. — 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 Epidendrums, 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 white ; it blooms during the summer months, and
lasts long in beauty. This plant is best grown in a basket
with moss.

E. bicornutum. — A remarkably handsome Orchid from
Guayana, about ten inches high: the flowers proceed from the

EPIDENDRUMS. 101

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 succes-
sion ; 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.

E. cinnabarinum (from Pernambuco). — 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.

E. crassifolium. — This is not so good as many Epidendrums,
but it is worth growing on account of its colour : it is a rather
tall grower, two or three feet high ; it produces 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 exhibitions.

E. Hanburyanum (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.

E. macrochilum. — A beautiful species from Guatemala ; the
sepals and petals brown, lip large, of a pure white, with a
purple blotch at the base : it blossoms in April and May, and
lasts five weeks in good condition, if the flowers are kept free
from damp.

E. 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.

102 THE ORCHID-GROWEE'S MANUAL.

E. maculatum grandiflorum. — A splendid Orchid, and cer-
tainly one of the best of the genus. Grows about twelve
inches high, with short bulbs, and has evergreen foliage.
Flowers produced on spikes fourteen together from the top
of the bulb j sepals and petals creamy white spotted with
black spots, lip pink : blooms in June and July, and will
last several weeks in perfection. It is a very rare species,
and makes a fine show plant.

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

E. rhizophorum. — A pretty, but shy-flowering evergreen
Orchid, and a straggling grower, being often ten feet high. It
is best grown in a pot, in peat, with good drainage ; when the
plant becomes too tall, twist it round some sticks, which is the
best way to make it flower j the latter, which are produced
from the top of the bulb, are of a bright orange-scarlet, and
the same spike will keep in beauty for three months. I
have seen Mr. S. Woolley, of Cheshunt, have them in flower
for twelve months.

E. Stamfordianum (from Guatemala). — A small-flowering
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.

E. verrucosum. — 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 brighter coloured
flowers than the other. A very scarce Orchid.

E. vitdlinum. — A small-growing plant, but one of the finest

ERIOPS1S— GALEANDKA, 103

of the genus, from Mexico : a very distinct Orchid; the sepals
and petals rich orange scarlet, the lip a bright yellow : blos-
soms during the winter, lasting six weeks or more in good
condition. A very scarce Orchid.

E. vitellinum majus. — The same colour as mtellinum, the
only difference being in the larger size of the flowers, and in
its blooming during the summer months j it lasts long in
bloom. A very rare plant.

ERIOPSIS.

Eriopsis liloba. — A pretty species from South America, and
the only one with which I am acquainted that is worth grow-
ing : it is evergreen and of upright habit, attaining a height
of about ten inches j foliage dark green ; flowers produced
from the side of the bulb on a spike ten inches long ; sepals
and petals yellow and deep orange ; lip white, spotted with
dark brown, upper part orange. This succeeds best in pots
in peat with good drainage, and it requires a liberal supply
of water at the roots : it is propagated by dividing the bulbs.
The coolest house will suit it.

GALEANDRA.

There are only three of this genus that I know of that 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 £auerii. — A desirable dwarf species from ,Guay-

104 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

ana ; the pink and purple coloured blossoms are produced on
a drooping spike : blooms in June, July, and August ; con-
tinues 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.

G. cristata. — A good deciduous species from South America,
which grows about eight inches high ; the flowers, which are
produced on a drooping spike, are of a pink and dark colour :
they appear in July and August, and last four or five weeks
in perfection.

G. Devoniana. — A beautiful slender Orchid from South
America : it grows about two feet high ; the blossoms, which
are produced on spikes from the top of the bulbs, are white,
beautifully pencilled with pink : it blooms at different times
of the year, and remains a long time in beauty. A very
scarce plant. I only know of two ; one in the collection of S.
Eucker, Esq., Wandsworth • the other in that of J. A. Turner,
Esq., Manchester.

GOODTERAS.

An interesting class of plants, with compact habit, dark
velvety-like foliage, marked with gold and silver lines down
the centre of the leaves, and some of the kinds, like the
genus Ancectockilus, have silver markings spread over the
entire surface of the foliage. The plants have thick fleshy
roots, and push from underground stems, forming beautiful
round dwarf plants ; the flower spikes which issue from the
centre of the foliage attain a height of from six to ten inches ;
some of the kinds have delicate white flowers, especially dis-
color, which is one of the prettiest white winter flowering
plants grown, very useful for bouquets, as well as for other
purposes. Of this genus there are many fine species, of
which we have only seen drawings, but I hope we shall soon
be able to possess the plants themselves. The few I have

GOODYERAS. 10£

seen, I will endeavour to describe. Some are of easy culture,
while others are difficult to manage, but with care all may
be had in perfection, which, when attained, amply repays any
trouble that may have been bestowed. If grown in small pots
and intermixed with Ancectochilus, they have a fine appear-
ance, the dark foliage of the Goodyeras being very distinct
from that of the other ; they do not, however, require the
same attention ; on the contrary, they will do in any close
house where there is a little warmth. I grow many of them
in five and six-inch pots for blooming in the winter season,
placing about six plants in a pot; they should be grown
strongly, so as to ensure abundance of bloom ; the soil I use
is peat and sand, with a little loam, and I give a liberal
supply of water at the roots during the growing season ; they
are propagated by cutting up the plants so as to have a
piece of root attached to each piece ; they may be grown
where there is no Orchid House ; a mixed stove suits them
perfectly.

Goody era discolor. — A beautiful plant from Brazil ; grows
about six inches high ; foliage a beautiful dark velvety
colour, with white marking through its entire length, flowers
white, with a little yellow in the centre, and produced on a
stem about ten inches high in winter, and they last a long
time in perfection ; a useful plant grown in five and six-inch
pots, several plants being put in a pot so as to make a good
show ; even without any flowers the plants themselves are
by no means unattractive.

G. Dominii. — A beautiful hybrid, raised from seed in this
country, and as regards foliage, the best I have seen. I
have not seen its bloom ; the leaves larger than those of
discolor, of a bronzy dark velvety-like appearance, with
several prominent lines running their whole length, of a
lightish colour — nearly white, and interspersed with smaller
veins ; a good addition to this class of plants contrasting as
it does well with the Ancectochttus.

106 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

G. picta. — A distinct species, growing about three inches
high ; foliage one and a half inch long, light pea-green, with a
paler band running through the entire leaf ; I have not seen
this flower, but it is worth growing on account of its foliage j
a rare kind, whose roots are not so thick as those of discolor ;
it therefore requires more care.

G. pubescens. — A charming dwarf species ; foliage green,
enriched with white markings, in appearance something like
Ancectochilus argenteus ; this requires a cool house or pit to
grow it in perfection ; it is difficult to manage, and requires
great care, being often destroyed by too much heat ; grow it
in pots not too large, giving a liberal supply of water during
the growing season ; in fact it should never be allowed to get
dry at the roots. I have never seen this plant in bloom, but
I grow it on account of its beautiful foliage.

G. rubro-venia. — A charming distinct species from Brazil
in the way of discolor ; grows several inches high, with velvet-
like foliage, having three bands of red down each leaf ; it has
thick fleshy roots, and is of easy culture under bell glasses
or in frames ; I have grown it along with Ancectocliili for
several years on account of its foliage, but it will do in a pot
with the same treatment as is usually given to discolor. A
scarce kind

GRAMMATOPHYLLUMS.

A small genus of Orchids, of which I only know two that
are worth growing ; of these one makes a magnificent speci-
men, having a noble palm-like appearance ; it therefore re-
quires considerable space to grow it in perfection. It is,
however, a shy bloomer. I have seen plants grown for eight
years without flowering ; it has only once or twice been
flowered well in this country — once by Mr. Scott, gardener
to Sir George Staunton, and again by Mr. Carson, Nonsuch
Park, Cheam ; the latter had it very fine : this plant had
been in the Cheam Collection for many years, but was sold

HOULLETIAS. 107

about two years ago j it is now in the possession of S. Mendel,
Esq., of Manchester, under the care of his gardener, Mr.
Sharman, with whom I hope to see it flower again. The
plants require to be well-grown, and after making a few
strong growths, give a season of rest ; G. speciosum requires
to be grown in peat, in a pot of good size, and with good
drainage ; a liberal supply of water at the roots must also be
given during the growing season, and it should be kept in
the East India house ; they are propagated by dividing the
bulbs.

GrammatophyllumEllisii. — A charming species brought from
Madagascar by W. Ellis, Esq., of Hoddesdon, in compliment to
whom it is named j it is a smaller growing species than specio-
sum, and more free-flowering, producing spikes of blossoms
from the bottom of the bulbs along with the young growths ;
the flowers are large, of a yellow and brown colour, and they
remain some time in beauty. This may be made to suc-
ceed on a block suspended from the roof, provided it has a
plentiful supply of water.

G. speciosum. — A magnificent Orchid from Java, but, as I
have just stated, shy-blooming ; it grows from five to ten feet
high, producing upright spikes from the bottom of the bulbs,
which are very large j the flowers are also large, and of a
beautiful yellow and brown colour : blooms during winter,
and will last a long time in perfection if the flowers are
kept dry.

HOULLETIAS.

A small class of Orchids, of which I only know two that
are worth cultivating, and that chiefly on account of their
distinctness of colour. They grow best in pots, in peat with
good drainage, and like a liberal supply of water during the
growing season ; they are propagated by dividing the bulbs
just before they begin to grow.

108 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

Houlletia BrocHehurstiana. — A distinct species from Brazil ;
grows eighteen inches high, and has short round bulbs, and
flag-shaped, pale green leaves. The flower spikes are pro-
duced from the side of the bulbs; the blossoms measure
from three to three and a half inches in diameter ; petals,
orange-brown, enriched with darker spots; lip yellow, and
also spotted with dark brown.

H. odoralissima. — A good species from South America ;
grows eighteen inches high, and has light green leaves ; the
flower spike rises from the side of the bulb ; blossoms two
and a half inches across ; petals, orange-brown, striped with a
lighter colour ; lip white, tipped with yellow.

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 grown 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.

Huntleya marginata. — A beautiful species from South
America, which grows about ten inches high, and has ever-
green foliage ; the flowers are produced from the side of the
bulbs ; colour, pinkish purple and white ; blooms at different
times of the year, and continues a considerable time in
beauty ; a rare species.

H. 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.

H. violacea. — A curious species from Guayana. It pro-

lONOPSIS-L^LIAS. 109

duces its solitary violet-coloured flowers at different times of
the year ; keeps in bloom four or five weeks.

H. Wailesice. — A singular dwarf plant, which produces
white and purple flowers during the autumn months, lasting
long in perfection ; scarce, and very distinct.

IONOPSIS.

lonopsis paniculatus. — A charming small, free-flowering Or-
chid, and one that ought to be in every collection ; leaves, six
inches high, with very small bulbs ; the flower spikes which
are branching, proceed from the axils of the leaf, arid are
about ten inches long ; blossoms, pretty blush white, pencilled
with light rose, and produced twice a year; succeeds best
on a block, with a little live sphagnum moss round the roots,
which require to be kept moist nearly all the year round.
I have found it to do well in the coolest house suspended
near the glass, where it continues in bloom for weeks at a
time ; a rare plant.

L^ELIAS.

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 re-
sembling in many respects the genus Cattleya, to which some
of them are 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 col-
lection, and will amply repay the cultivator for any care they
may require. The Lselias are among our finest Orchids for
winter and summer blooming. Some are best grown on
blocks of wood with moss ; others thrive well in pots with
peat and good drainage.

The large growing kinds are best grown in pots, without

110 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

much water at the roots at any time, and require the same
treatment as Cattleyas. Those on blocks require more
water. All are best grown in the Mexican house, except
Perriniij which requires a little more heat to grow it in
perfection. They are propagated in the same way as
Cattleyas.

Lcelia acuminata. — A pretty, delicate-flowering, and com-
pact growing plant from Mexico ; sepals and petals white j lip
white, with a dark blotch on the upper part. It blooms in
December and January, and lasts two or three weeks in
beauty.

L. albida. — A lovely compact-growing species from Oaxaca ;
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 superba. In the latter, the
flowers are much larger than in albida.

L. anceps. — A remarkably handsome Orchid from Mexico ;
sepals and petals rose-lilac ; the lip of a beautiful deep
purple. It blooms in December and January. The flowers
are three or four inches across, and last a month in perfec-
tion, if kept in a cool dry house. Of this there are several
varieties, one of which is called Barkerii.

L. autumnalis. — A lovely and showy Orchid 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.
I have bloomed it with that number. The sepals and petals
are of a beautiful purple colour ; lip rose and white, with
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 ; one fine
one I saw grown by Mr. Toll, gardener to J. A. Turner, Esq.,
Manchester.

L. Brysiana. — A fine showy Orchid from Brazil, and very

I^ELIAS. Ill

distinct ; grows like Cattleya crispa, with dark evergreen
foliage, flowers large, produced three and four together
during the summer months, sepals and petals beautiful
light rose, spotted with a darker colour ; lip dark crimson ;
lasting three weeks in perfection. L. purpurata is often
grown for this species, but it is quite distinct in colour.

L. cinnabarina. — A charming distinct species from Brazil,
very compact in growth ; flowers reddish orange, produced
on upright spikes, many together. 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. elegans. — A magnificent species from Brazil, with ever-
green foliage; grows about two feet high, and blooms at
different times of the year ; of this there are many varieties
and shades of colour varying from white to light rose, and
pink, crimson, and carmine ; in the true variety the sepals
and petals are pale rose ; lip brilliant purple : lasts about
three weeks in perfection.

L. elegans, var. Dayii. — A splendid variety, which grows
eighteen inches high, with two leaves on the top of the bulb
of a light green colour ; the plants flower twice a year ; the
blossoms are large ; sepals and petals light rose, veined with
a deeper colour ; lip large, of a beautiful magenta colour —
the top part light rose and throat yellow. I have only seen
this in the collection of J. Day, Esq., Tottenham, in honour
of whom it is named. It blooms in June and autumn, and
lasts several weeks in perfection ; it will make a fine
exhibition plant.

L. elegans, var. Warnerii. — A magnificent variety of elegans,
which grows about the same size ; sepals and petals light
rose ; lip rich crimson : blossoms in June and July ; will
last in perfection three or four weeks ; very rare, and
one of the finest of its class, and is also a fine exhibition
plant.

L. flava. — A very distinct species from Mexico j grows in

112 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

the same way as cinndbarina. The colour of the flowers is
yellow : blooms at the same time as the former ; lasts three
weeks in perfection.

L. furfuracea. — A fine variety from Mexico ; resembling
autumnalis in growth, and attaining a height of ten inches,
with light green foliage ; flowers produced on upright spikes
from the top of the bulb during autumn ; colour dark
purple ; lip dark rose : blossoms individually five inches in
diameter. This plant is somewhat difficult to cultivate, but
I saw it doing well under the care of Mr. Baker, Gardener
to A. Basset t, Esq., Stamford Hill, who has a very large
example of it, and it blooms well with him every year ; it is
grown in a pot suspended from the roof of the Mexican
house : a very rare plant.

L. grandis. — A splendid new species from Brazil, with
pale green foliage ; like L. purpurata it grows two feet
high, and has several flowers on a spike ; sepals and petals
blush white, and it has a prettily marked palish lip which is
more open and funnel-shaped than that of purpurata, the
inside of the tube being distinctly visible ; colour yellow,
lined with purple, throat and mouth stained with rose and
violet ; in bloom during May and June, and lasts several
weeks in beauty. A plant of this was exhibited by R.
Warner, Esq., at the Royal Horticultural Society's exhibition
last year, and received a first prize for a new plant ; it is
handsome and distinct.

L. Lindleyana. — Very distinct both in flower and growth ;
the foliage is like that of Brassavola venosa, and grows
about eight inches long ; sepals and petals rosy white, lip
same colour, with the exception of the bottom part which is
dark rose : blooms at different times of the year and continues
in perfection six weeks.

L. majalis. — This is a glorious plant from Bolanos ; a
dwarf-growing species. The flowers are large, four inches
across, of a delicate rose colour; the lip is striped and spotted

L.ELIAS. 113

with cholocate. It blooms with the young growth, and lasts
five or six weeks in beauty. This is the finest of the genus,
and is rather difficult to flower in some collections ; but I
have flowered it successively for several years. I keep it
rather dry during the winter ; a scarce plant.

L. Mary anii. — A pretty species, very compact in growth,
with pale green foliage ; sepals and petals flesh colour
changing to salmon ; lip mauve with buff stripes ; blossoms
during winter ; a desirable species which continues in bloom
four or five weeks at a time.

L. peduncularis. — A charming compact-habited evergreen
plant from Mexico ; grows like L. acuminata ; sepals and
petals beautiful dark rose ; lip same colour, with darker
spots in the centre : blooms during the winter months, and
lasts two weeks in perfection ; requires to be grown on a
block.

L. 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 condition three
weeks. There are two varieties of this plant ; one producing
much darker coloured flowers, and being stronger in its
growth than the other.

L. prestans. — A splendid dwarf evergreen species from
Brazil j grows six inches high, and often blossoms twice a
year ; sepals and petals dark rose ; lip rich purple ; grows
best on a block with a good supply of water at the roots in
the growing season ; of this there are several varieties, some
of which are much better than others. This plant resembles
Cattleya marginata in growth and size of flowers.

L. purpurata. — A magnificent Orchid from Brazil ; grows
two feet high and has light green foliage ; blossoms so large
and showy as to render this without exception one of the
finest Orchids in cultivation. There are, however, many
varieties of it, but all are well worth growing, though some

114 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

are much finer than others ; sepals and petals pure white,
lip rich dark crimson-purple ; in some of the varieties the
sepals and petals are light rose ; blooms during May, June,
and July, and lasts three weeks in perfection, if the flowers
are kept dry. Of this a fine specimen in bloom was exhibited
at the Royal Horticultural Society's meeting last year by
R. Warner, Esq., Broomfield j the plant was large and had
about sixty flowers on it.

L. purpurata, var. Williamsii. — A splendid kind from Brazil,
and certainly one of the finest of the genus for exhibition
purposes ; flowers large, three or four on a spike, and each
bloom measures more than five inches across ; sepals and
petals beautiful delicate rose ; lip rich crimson, and very
large. Blooms in May and June, and continues three
weeks in perfection ; grows two feet high ; foliage rich dark
green.

L. Schilleriana. — A very fine species in the way of elegans
as regards growth as well as flower ; it grows eighteen inches
high with light green foliage nine inches long ; sepals and
petals white ; lip long and of a rich crimson : blooms during
May and June, lasting three and four weeks in beauty. It
makes a good exhibition plant on account of its showy
flowers.

L. superbiens. — A magnificent Orchid from Guatemala.
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 flower 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 was in the
Horticultural Gardens, Chiswick, and it is now in the collec-
tion of R. Warner, Esq., of Broomfield. This plant, when
in bloom, is worth travelling miles to see. It sometimes

LJ1LIOPSIS— LEPTOTES. 115

produces as many as nine spikes of its beautiful flowers at
one time ; the plant is four or five feet in diameter ; it is in
perfect health.

L. xanthina. — Not a very showy kind, but worth growing,
on account of its colour, which is pale yellow ; flowers during
May and June, and lasts in beauty three weeks.

L^LIOPSIS.

Lceliopsis Domingensis. — A pretty species, and the only
one of the genus I have seen ; it is evergreen, and compact
in growth, with short bulbs ; leaves about three inches long ;
the flower spike proceeds from the top of the bulb, and
attains a height of twelve inches ; blossoms rose-coloured,
and produced at different times of the year, continuing in
beauty for five weeks at a time ; a very scarce plant, and
best grown on a block suspended from the roof, with a good
supply of water at the roots during the growing season j in
growth this plant is like Broughtonia sanguined.

LEPTOTES.

This small genus of Orchids deserves to be in every col-
lection ; 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 accom-
modating, 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 tricolor. — A pretty Orchid from Brazil ; sepals and
petals white, with a blotch of purple on the lip, and blooms
during the winter months, lasting four weeks in beauty.

L. serrulata. — A charming little plant, from the same

i 2

116 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

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.

LIMATODES.

Limatodes rosea. — A charming winter flowering Orchid
and the only species of the genus that I have seen ; there
are, however, many varieties of it. I have had five in flower
this year, all of which differed more or less from one another
in colours, which varied from white to dark rose and pink
with different shades of rose. These few plants are more
interesting or decorative during the dull season, and they
may be had in flower for months together. All of them are
deciduous, and have short thick bulbs which are nearly white,
and flag-shaped leaves which proceed from the top of the
bulb and attain a height of ten inches ; during the growing
season they require a liberal supply of water at the roots ;
in fact they should be kept well watered till they are in
flower; after they have done blooming give them rest by
withholding water ; they do well in a cool house in pots with
peat ; pot them as you would Calanthe vestita, which they
resemble in growth, and they flower about the same time as
that equally useful Orchid ; propagate by dividing the bulbs
just as they begin to grow.

LYCASTE.

Of this genus several fine varieties have appeared since I
last described it ; these chiefly belong to Skinneri, and differ
very much from each other in colour. I have seen eight in
the collection of R. Warner, Esq., and also several fine
varieties in the collection of J. Day, Esq. All the sorts of
Lycaste have short thick bulbs and flag-shaped leaves ; the

LYCASTE. 117

flowers are produced from the side of the bulbs on spikes,
about six inches in length ; all the varieties are of easy
culture, if properly attended to with respect to water, as they
require a liberal supply during the growing season, especially
Skinneri and its varieties. Mr. Gedney, gardener to W. Ellis,
Esq., of Hoddesdon, managed these plants better than any
cultivator with whom I am acquainted. In that collection, I
have seen specimens with as many as fifty blossoms on them,
producing a grand effect. Mr. Gedney kept his plants in a
cool house, the temperature of which ranged from 50° to 60°
in winter; he grows them in pots, in peat, with good
drainage, watering liberally during the growing season;
they should, in fact, never be allowed to get dry at the
roots even while at rest. They are propagated by division
after flowering.

Lycaste cruenta (from Guatemala). — Blossoms yellow, with
a dark spot in the centre of the lip. Flowers in abundance
in March and April, and lasts three weeks in perfection.

L. Deppii. — A good old species from Zalapa. Flowers
during the winter and spring months, and lasts long in
beauty.

L. Skinneri. — A beautiful free-flowering Orchid from
Guatemala ; sepals and petals pure white, tinged at the base
with rose ; lip same colour, spotted with crimson. Blooms
during the winter months, lasting a long time in beauty.
This plant ought to be in every collection ; it is one of the
finest for winter blooming, its large, numerous, singularly-
formed, and richly-coloured flowers, rendering it at that
season peculiarly attractive.

L. Skinneri alba. — A distinct and pretty variety from
Guatemala ; sepals and petals blush white ; lip white ; flowers
smaller than those of Skinneri, with which it blooms con-
temporaneously, and it lasts a long time in perfection. A
scarce variety.

L. Skinneri delicatissima. — Another distinct and hand-

118 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

some variety from Guatemala ; flowers large, measuring six
inches across ; sepals and petals pinkish white ; lip white,
intermixed with rose. Blooms in February, and continues
in perfection six weeks.

L. Skinneri rosea. — A magnificent variety also from
Guatemala ; flowers large, being quite seven inches in dia-
meter ; sepals and petals rich dark rose ; lip white spotted,
with crimson. This is the finest I have seen, and it lasts six
weeks in beauty.

L. Skinneri superba. — Another splendid variety, like-
wise from Guatemala ; sepals and petals blush white ; lip of
the richest crimson. A very showy kind.

MILTONIAS.

Of this class of plants there are some beautiful species, all
of which are evergreen, compact-growing, and have light
green foliage, with short bulbs, having two or three leaves
on each ; they flower freely from the side of the bulbs ; some
of them require treatment different from others, which shall
be mentioned when describing the different species ; most
of them require to be grown in pots, in peat, with good
drainage, and they like a liberal supply of water during the
growing season, and the shadiest part of the house ; they are
propagated by dividing the bulbs when they begin to grow.
They will succeed in the Mexican house.

Miltonia bicolor. — A beautiful species from Brazil, which
grows about eight inches high in the way of spectabilis, but
stronger and having larger flowers ; sepals and petals white j
lip also white, with a blotch of violet in the upper part. In
bloom in August, and will last in perfection six weeks. Of
this there are two varieties, one called superba, with larger
flowers and more white on the lip.

M. Candida. — A good species from Brazil ; sepals and petals

MILTONIAS. 119

yellow and brown ; labellum pure white marked with pink.
It produces its spikes of flowers during autumn, lasting three
weeks in bloom.

M. Candida grandiflora. — Much finer than Candida ; flowers
larger and brighter in colour, and the plant is much stronger
in its growth.

M. Cloivesii major (from Brazil). — It produces long spikes
of flowers in September and October ; sepals and petals pale
yellow barred with chocolate ; lip purple and white ; lasts
long in perfection. Of this there are several varieties, but
major is the best.

M. cuneata. — A pretty Brazilian species, which grows ten
inches high, resembling Candida in growth ; the blossoms are
produced on upright spikes, several together; sepals and
petals dark brown, tipped with pale yellow; lip white.
Flowers in February, and continues four or five weeks in
perfection. It is best grown in a pot, in peat, with good
drainage.

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

M. Morelii. — A handsome Orchid from Rio Janeiro. The
flowers of this species resemble those of spectabilis, the
difference being that Morelii is much darker. Grows in the
same way, and produces its flowers in September and October,
continuing in bloom a long time.

M. Morelii atrorubens. — A magnificent variety of the pre-
ceding from Brazil, and grows in the same way ; flowers large,
often four inches across, and the colour much darker than
that of Morelii. Blooms in September, and lasts a con-
siderable time in beauty. A scarce plant.

M. Regnelli. — A charming and rare species, which grows in
the way of cuneata, with light green foliage, twelve inches
long ; spikes upright, producing several flowers of a flat shape ;

120 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

colour light rose and white. A very distinct kind, which
lasts in bloom four or five weeks at a time. Generally blos-
soms in September or October, and is best grown in a pot,
in peat. Also a rare Orchid.

M. spectabilis. — A beautiful Orchid from Brazil ; grows
about six inches high, and very 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. Of
this beautiful species there are four varieties, some much
better than others. A. Basset, Esq., of Stamford Hill, has
some fine varieties of spectabilis ; the lip of one which I saw
in flower measured four inches across, and of a distinct and
beautiful colour.

MORMODES.

There are several of this genus, but only three that I know
of are worth growing j these are deciduous, and will do in
either house, growing in pots, in peat, with a liberal quantity
of water at the roots during their period of growth ; after-
wards they should be kept dry, and placed near the glass
till they begin to grow. They are propagated by dividing
the plant.

Mormodes citrinum. — A Mexican plant, and the best of
the genus j flowers yellow, and produced on a short spike in
July and August.

M. luxatum. — From the same country as the former ;
sepals and petals creamy white ; lip the same, with stripes of
brown in the centre. Blooms in July, lasting in bloom two
weeks or more.

M. pardinum. — Also from Mexico ; a beautiful species,
with bright yellow flowers spotted with rich brown.

ODONTOGLOSSUMS. 121

ODONTOGLOSSUMS.

To this magnificent class of Orchids so many fine addi-
tions have, of late years, been made, that it now contains
some of the showiest in cultivation ; all of them are ever-
green ; some have stout thick bulbs, very compact in
growth, while others have small bulbs, with small narrow
leaves ; all produce their flower spikes from the sides of
the bulbs, and they require an intermediate house to grow
them in perfection ; little heat is needed for them, many
being destroyed by too much. I find them to succeed best
in a cool house, the temperature of which ranges from 45°
to 50°, with the exception of 0. citrosmum, which does best
along with the Cattleyas ; some are best grown on blocks,
while others do best in pots in peat with good drainage,
a liberal supply of water at the roots being required
during the growing season. They are propagated by di-
viding the bulbs just as they begin to push.

Odontoglossum citrosmum. — A charming Orchid from
Guatemala. It produces its long pendulous spikes of flowers
in June and July; the colour 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, and makes one of the finest plants
for exhibition.

0. citrosmum roseum. — A fine variety of the preceding,
from Guatemala, grows in the same way, and produces
its rosy flowers on long drooping spikes. J. A. Turner,
Esq., exhibited this variety on one occasion, in fine con-
dition, with many spikes, at the Manchester Botanic
Gardens.

0. cordatum. — A desirable species from Guatemala ; grows
ten inches high, with short thick bulbs, from the side of
which the spikes proceed ; sepals and petals yellow barred

122 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

with crimson; lip white, spotted round the edge with
crimson. A rare plant, and one which requires to be grown
in a pot, in peat.

0. coronarium. — A charming species from South America;
grows eighteen inches high, with short thick bulbs and
dark green foliage ; the spike, which rises upright from the
side of the bulb is about eighteen inches in height ; sepals
and petals reddish brown edged with yellow ; lip bright
yellow. It does best in a pot, in peat, and will continue
a long time in perfection.

0. grande. — A remarkably handsome species from Gua-
temala ; 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 four weeks, if the flowers are kept dry, and does best
in a pot.

0. hastilabium. — A desirable 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.

0. 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.

0. maculatum. — A. good species from Guatemala; grows
a foot high with short thick bulbs ; produces its drooping
spikes of blossoms during winter ; colour yellow, crimson,
and dark rose; will last in bloom a long time, and suc-
ceeds best in a cool house, in a pot, in peat.

0. membranaceum. — 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

ODOXTOGLOSSUMS. 123

winter months, and continues in bloom four weeks. This
will do on a block of wood.

0. 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 con-
siderable time in perfection. A scarce plant.

0. ncevium majus. — A beautiful variety of the preceding
from South America ; grows ten inches high, and produces
upright spikes of flowers, which are pure white speckled all
over with rich crimson. Mr. Stone, gardener to J. Day, Esq.,
of Tottenham, has flowered some fine plants of this splendid
variety, which is very rare ; it requires great care to grow
it well ; a cool house suits it best, with a good supply of
water; in short, it should never be allowed to become
dry.

0. Pescatorei. — A magnificent species which grows ten
inches high, which has small bulbs, and leaves a foot in
length ; produces branching spikes, richly ornamented with
flowers, during April and May ; sepals and petals white, with
a shade of rose in them ; lip white, yellow, and rose. This
is also a difficult plant to manage, and requires great care.
A. Basset, Esq., of Stamford Hill, has some fine plants
of it j likewise J. Day, Esq., of Tottenham. There are
several varieties of it, and all of them are good. It does best
in a cool house in pots, in peat, with a good supply of water
during the growing season.

0. Phalamopsis. — A magnificent species from South Ame-
rica ; compact-growing, and having short bulbs and narrow
leaves about eight inches long ; flowers on a spike, generally
two together, from the bottom of the bulbs, which are flat
and very distinct from all other kinds ; sepals and petals
white ; lip crimson in the centre, edged with white ; will
last in bloom four or five weeks. This is a difficult plant to
cultivate, and very few grow it well; it requires a well-
drained pot, good fibrous peat and a cool house. Mr. Byers,

124 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

gardener to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, has bloomed this
several times.

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

0. Rossii. — A desirable little Orchid from Mexico. It
produces its white and purple flowers during the winter,
and lasts long in beauty. Is best grown on a block.

0. triumphans. — A magnificent and rare species, which
grows a foot high, with short thick bulbs, and produces
branching spikes of blossom during the winter months ;
sepals and petals yellow, barred and spotted with crimson ;
lip white edged with dark rose ; will last in perfection
several weeks, and is best grown in a pot, in peat.

0. Uro Skinneri. — A pretty species from Guatemala;
grows a foot high, with thick shiny bulbs j blossoms during
autumn, and continues flowering for a long time ; petals
pale green spotted with brown j lip blush white ; requires to
be grown in a pot, in peat.

0. Warnerii. — 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, and
is best grown on blocks.

ONCIDIUMS.

A large class of Orchids, some of which are very beautiful;
their flowers are rich and showy, and they make fine exhi-
bition 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 growers, while others are
more compact ; some have handsome spotted foliage. They
have generally short thick bulbs, from which the leaves and
flower-spikes proceed ; but in this respect there is much

ONCIDIUMS. 125

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 j 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 bulbs. The following are all fine sorts, 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 ampliatum majus. — One of the finest in cultiva-
tion from Guatemala. It produces its large yellow flowers in
abundance, on a long branching spike three or four feet high,
in April, May, and June, and continues blooming for two
months when the spikes are strong. This is one of the
finest Oncidiums we have for exhibition.

0. Harkerii. — 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 branch-
ing spikes of flower during the dull months of winter,
which greatly enhances its value, and it lasts six weeks in
bloom.

0. Batemanii. — A good distinct kind from Brazil, grow-
ing about eighteen inches high, and having pale green
foliage ; rather a shy-flowering plant, but one which is
worth growing on account of its beautiful bright yellow
flowers, which are produced at different times of the year.

0. bifolium. — A handsome dwarf-growing species from
Monte Video : sepals and petals brown ; lip bright yellow,
and of large size. It produces short spikes of flowers in
May and June, lasting a long time in perfection. There are
two varieties of this plant ; one much brighter in the colour
of the flowers. This is best grown in a pot with moss,

126 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

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, used to cultivate this plant better than any other
grower of Orchids whose collections I have seen ; they
treated it in the way above recommended.

0. bicallosum. — A showy dwarf species from Guatemala ;
sepals and petals dark brown ; lip bright yellow; This
makes a fine plant for winter blooming, and continues in
perfection a long time. It is very much like Cavendishii in
flowers and growth.

0. bicolor (from the Spanish Main) is a fine species,
which blooms in September. The lip is very large, of a
deep yellow on the upper side, and almost white underneath ;
sepals and petals yellow, spotted with crimson. This will
thrive on a block suspended from the roof.

0. Cavendishii. — A magnificent species from Guatemala.
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 branching 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.

0. ciliatum. — A pretty species from Brazil, and very
compact in growth, being about six inches high; colour,
beautiful brown and yellow ; succeeds best on a block, but it
must have good attention as to water at the roots.

0. crispum. — A good species from the Organ Mountains;
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 weeks in beauty. Grows
best on a block of wood.

ONCIDIUMS. 127

0. crispum grandiflorum. — A very fine variety of the pre-
ceding. I only know of one plant of it, and that I bloomed,
last year; it is now in the collection of J. A. Turner, Esq.,
of Manchester ; its blossoms are very large — twice the size
of those of crispum, and richer in colour. It succeeds best
on a block, and requires a good supply of water at the
roots.

0. divaricatum. — A small but abundantly-flowering
species from Brazil ; its yellow, orange, and brown-coloured
flowers are produced on long branching spikes during the
summer months : continues in perfection a long time. This
is a useful plant for all purposes, when well grown : pot cul-
ture suits it best.

0. flexuosum. — A good old species from Brazil : produc-
ing showy flowers in abundance on a long spike ; blossoms
yellow, slightly spotted with brown : blooms at different
times of the year, and continues blooming for several weeks.
There are two varieties of this plant ; one called majus, which
has much larger flowers than the other, though of the same
colour. This is a scarce variety, and is best grown in a pot
with moss.

0. Forbesii. — A truly handsome dwarf species from
Brazil : flowers large and very 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 grow-
ing in a pot with peat,

0. Jwematochilum. — A fine species from New Granada. A
compact-growing plant, in the same way as Lanceanum ;
sepals and petals greenish yellow blotched with chesnut j the
lip a rich crimson and rose. A scarce Orchid.

0. incurvum. — A pretty distinct dwarf Orchid from
Mexico : producing white and brown flowers during winter :
lasts long in beauty, and is best grown in a pot with peat.

0. Lanceanum. — A remarkably handsome, distinct Orchid,

123 THE ORCHID-GKOWER'S MANUAL.

from Guayana, with beautiful spotted foliage ; flowers large
and produced on a stiff spike about a foot or more high •
sepals and petals bright yellow blotched with crimson ; lip
rich violet. Of this plant there are two varieties, one has
the lip almost white : it blooms during the summer months,
lasting four or five weeks in good condition, if the flowers are
kept free from damp. This is best grown on a block or in a
basket, with moss or peat, and makes a splendid plant for
exhibition.

0. leucochilum. — 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 per-
fection : best grown in a pot.

0. longipes. — A beautiful compact small species from
Bio Janeiro, growing about six inches high and producing
spikes of flowers in great abundance ; lip large and of a
bright golden yellow ; petals brown tipped with yellow : in
blossom during the summer months, and will do well on a
block, a very rare plant.

0. luridum guttatum. — 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, con-
tinues in perfection a long time, and is best grown in a pot
with peat.

0. oblongatum. — A handsome free flowering species,
from Guatemala : compact in habit with short thick bulbs ;
foliage light green, about twelve inches in length ; flowers
very showy, of a bright yellow and of good size ; blossoms
during the winter months and continues a long time in per-
fection ; it succeeds best in a pot. •

0. ornithorynchum. — A charming free flowering Orchid
from Mexico ; grows ten inches high and produces graceful
drooping spikes of flowers during the autumn and winter
months ; colour, delicate rose and beautifully scented ; this

ONCIDIUMS. 129

does best in a basket, in which the flowers are shown off
to good advantage ; a general favourite with Orchid
growers.

0. papilio majus. — A truly magnificent Orchid from
Trinidad : with flowers 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 brown, 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 papilio, but majus is
the best.

0. phymatocTiilum. — A pretty species from Brazil, and
very distinct from all others in flower as well as in growth ;
foliage dark green, attaining a height of twelve inches ; bulbs
thick ; flowers very curious ; sepals and petals yellow and
reddish brown, lip white ; this is a species which ought to be
in every collection ; it blossoms during May and June, and
continues in flower two months at a time ; it is best grown
in a pot, in peat.

0. pulchellum. — A beautiful dwarf compact species from
Jamaica, attaining a height of about six inches, with small
bulbs and leaves, and it produces its spikes of white flowers
in abundance during the summer months, remaining a long
time in perfection j it thrives well on a block with plenty of
moisture at the roots.

0. pulvinatum. — A free flowering Brazilian species com-
pact in habit, and growing about a foot high ; flower spikes
not unfrequently ten feet long ; colour of blossoms yellow,
orange and brown • in bloom during the summer months,
and will last long in perfection ; pot culture and peat suits it
best.

0. pulvinatum majus. — A fine Brazilian variety of the
preceding, growing in the same way, but having blossoms
much larger and brighter in colour ; this I have only seen in

K

130 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

the collection of E. McMorland, Esq., Haverstock Hill, who
has flowered it very finely.

0. roseum. — A pretty small flowering species from Hon-
duras : the flower is rose-coloured spotted with red : blooms
at different times of the year j lasts six weeks in good condi-
tion, and is best grown in a pot with peat.

0. sar codes. — A fine species, with handsome flowers, from
Brazil : it produces its branching spikes of yellow and crim-
son flowers during March and April. This fine species was
first flowered in the collection of Mr. Bunney, at the Stratford
Nursery. A very rare, compact-growing plant ; is best grown
in a pot with peat.

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

0. sphacelatum majus. — A good, free-flowering Orchid, from
Honduras, producing its long branching spikes of flowers in
April and May, lasting three or four 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.

0. 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.

0. variegatum. — A pretty species from the West Indies ;
grows six inches high and has dark evergreen foliage ; spikes
branching and upright, bearing many blossoms of a rose
and pink colour, and continuing in beauty several weeks ;
it is best grown on a block with plenty of moisture at
the roots.

PAPHINIAS— PERISTERIAS. 1 31

PAPHINIAS.

Of this useful genus there are only two with which I am
acquainted, but both of them are well worth growing ; they
are very compact in habit, having short bulbs and flag-
shaped leaves from six inches to a foot in length ; they
succeed best in the Cattleya house in pots in good fibrous
peat with plenty of drainage, liberally supplying them with
water at the roots during the growing season j propagation
is effected by dividing the bulbs.

Paphinia cristata. — A pretty dwarf free flowering species
from Demerara ; grows eight inches high, and has short
shiny bulbs, from the base of which the flowers appear on
a short stalk, three together, and droop downwards over the
side of the pot ; sepals and petals dark chocolate tinged
with purple ; lip white, barred with purple and fringed ; of
this there are two varieties, one with much darker flowers
than the other. In bloom at different times of the year,
and will remain in beauty about two weeks.

P. tigrina. — A fine species from Trinidad ; grows ten or
twelve inches high, and produces its flowers, which will last
several weeks in perfection, on an upright spike, several
together ; a scarce plant, and one which is best grown in a
pot, in peat, with good drainage.

PEKISTERIAS.

A singular class of Orchids, of which there are several
species, but only three that I can recommend as worth grow-
ing. There is one noble plant in this class, Peristeria elata, the
dove plant, which ought to be in every collection. These plants
furnish flowers from the bottom of their large bulbs, and will
grow in either house : they are best grown in pots, with loam
and leaf-mould, with a good quantity of water during their

K 2

132 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

period of growth ; 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 elata. — A noble free growing Orchid from
Panama : 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 September : 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.

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

P. guttata (from South America). — A curious Orchid, which
produces bunches of flowers close to the bulbs, whence they
hang over the edge of the pot : colours red and yellow.
It blooms in September, lasting two or three weeks in
perfection.

PHAJUS.

A fine class of terrestrial Orchids, very free in producing
their beautiful spikes of flowers, and when well grown are
noble objects. They are of easy culture, and will repay at-
tention and care. They are large-growing plants, with noble
foliage : of this class there are not more than three, 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 the young growth. Phajus
Wallichii and grandifolius 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.

PHAL^NOPSIS. 133

Phajus albus. — This stately Indian plant flowers in July
and August. The blossoms are pure white, except the lip,
which is 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, of which there is a
variety with flowers wholly white.

P. grandifolius. — 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 blooming, and a noble
plant for exhibition.

P. WaUichii. — An Indian Orchid, and one of the finest
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-yellow 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^NOPSIS.

An exceedingly fine genus, containing comparatively but
few species of not very large growth, but producing mag-
nificent flowers, which last long in beauty. Within the last
month or so has been added to it one of the finest of all
Orchids, viz., P. Schillerianq, which has really beautifully

134 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

variegated foliage, as well as wonderfully distinct and fine
flowers j other kinds are also all compact handsome plants,
with beautiful thick fleshy leaves, from whose axils are produced
spikes of charming flowers. As regards growth they require
very little room, and they may be had in bloom all the
year round. I have seen grandiflora blooming for six months j
I have exhibited the same plant for seven years at six exhi-
bitions each year, and sometimes with as many as from
seventy to eighty flowers expanded on it at one time. This
same plant, I believe, is still in the collection of C. B. Warner,
Esq., at Stratford. I mention this fact to show how long
such a fine plant may be had in perfection ; for, if I recol-
lect rightly, it is quite fourteen years since we first exhibited
it at Chiswick and Regent's Park.

There are now five sorts of Phalcenopsis in cultivation in
this country, and all are well worth growing ; they have all
beautiful flowers and handsome evergreen foliage ; they are
compact in their habits of growth, free flowering, and, as I
have just pointed out, continue a long time in perfection —
all qualities proclaiming them to be plants of more than
ordinary value. They all require the same kind of treat-
ment, and an East Indian heat, together with a good supply
of moisture during their growing season. Plants of this
genus are found in Java, Manilla, and Borneo, where the
heat is high, and of course ought to be imitated under artifi-
cial circumstances as near as possible ; they are found grow-
ing on the branches of trees in damp, moist places.

Nevertheless, they are of easy culture, and if properly
attended to are seldom out of order; unlike many other
Orchids they have no thick fleshy bulbs to support them, and
of course to have them in perfection they require more
nourishment. This is done by giving them more moisture at
their roots during the growing season ; in fact they should
never be allowed to get dry ; if so they are apt to shrivel
and often lose their bottom leaves, which spoils their appear-

PHAL^NOPSIS. 135

ance, for the beauty of the plants consists in their having
good foliage as well as good flowers. The growing season is
from March to the end of October, during which time the
temperature by day should range from 70° to 75°, allowing it
to rise to 80° or more by sun heat provided the house be
shaded. The night temperature should range from 65° to
70° in March and April. Afterwards it may be allowed to
rise a few degrees higher. During their resting season, from
the end of October to February, the temperature should
range from 60° to 65° by night, and 65° by day, or even a
little more will not do any harm with sun heat. In giving
air, a little should be admitted close to the hot-water
pipes, so that it may be warmed on entering the house ;
a little moisture should be sprinkled about on fine days,
but let it be in the morning so that the house may be dry
by night.

Phalcenopses are grown in different ways; some are
placed on blocks, some in pots, and others in baskets. I
have found them to succeed well under all three modes of
treatment, but they require more moisture at the roots if
grown on blocks ; if in pots, give more drainage than in
baskets. The best way is to place an empty pot upside
down in the bottom of the one you intend for the plant,
and then fill in with potsherds broken into pieces about two
inches square to within two inches of the rim ; then fill up
with sphagnum, having a few small potsherds mixed with it,
and elevate the plant three inches above the rim, taking care
to keep it well above the moss. The successful culture
of these plants, as well as of all others, depends upon effi-
cient drainage. If grown on blocks they should be placed on
a good-sized one, so that there is room for the roots to cling
to it. In fastening the plant on, first place a little live
sphagnum on the block, and afterwards fix the plant qn
with copper wire and hang it up to the roof, but not too
near the glass, or your plants may get injured by cold, which

136 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

should be guarded against during winter. Many Orchids
are injured in that way. If they should get into an un-
healthy condition, the best plan is to turn them out of their
pots or baskets, and shake all material off their roots, wash
them with clean water, cut off all the decayed parts, and
replace them on blocks with a little sphagnum, giving them
a good supply of moisture j place them at the warmest end
of the house, with not too much light ; under this treatment
they will soon begin to root and improve in appearance. I
need hardly add that they should be kept clear of insects,
especially thrips, which soon disfigure the foliage ; it is
best kept under by constantly washing the leaves with a
sponge and clean water, or fumigating the house with tobacco
smoke, — an operation which should be conducted with great
care.

Phalcenopses are difficult to propagate ; sometimes they
will produce young plants on the old flower stems, which
should be left on till well rooted ; then place them on small
blocks.

Phalcenopsis amabilis. — The queen of Orchids. This mag-
nificent 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 pure 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 j if the flowers get wet they are apt to
spot.

P. grandiflora. — A truly handsome variety from Java.
The flowers are produced in the same way as in amabilis. The
only difference between the two is, that grandiflora has
much larger flowers, with yellow in the centre of the lip,
instead of pink j and the leaves are longer, and of a lighter
green. This makes a fine plant for exhibition.

P. LobUi.— A pretty species, and one which is very

PHAL^NOPSIS. 137

rare ; it grows in the same way as other kinds, with pale
green foliage. Of this there was only one plant until within
these last few months, during which I have imported some
with other kinds, now in my collection.

P. rosea (from Manilla). — A small flowering species,
but very pretty ; grows in the same way as the two former,
but very inferior in beauty j the colour being white, slightly
tinged with pink; the lip deep violet. It blooms at dif-
ferent times of the year, lasting long in beauty. A scarce
Orchid.

P. Scliilleriana. — A magnificent new species from
Manilla, which I had the good fortune first to introduce
to public notice, and one which, I have no doubt, will prove
the finest in cultivation ; it has, as I have said, beautifully
variegated foliage, and is quite distinct from all other kinds ;
the leaves are similar in form and equal in size to those of
P. grandiflora ; ground colour dark green, interspersed with
irregular bands of white ; the flower spikes are produced
from the axils of the leaves. In their native country they
are more than three feet long, and more branched than those
of the other kinds. I have a dried spike, on which there
has been more than one hundred blossoms. On the plant
I have in bloom each individual blossom measures more
than two and a half inches across, and they are arranged in
two rows down the spike ; sepals and petals beautiful light
mauve edged with white ; lip the same colour, with darker
spots, with the exception of the upper part, which is yellow
spotted with reddish brown ; the inside is handsomely spotted,
indeed the whole aspect of the plant is very attractive.
Several plants of this have flowered within the last few
weeks, and I find that they differ from one another in shade
of colour. R. Warner, Esq., of Broomfield, exhibited a fine
plant of this before the Floral Committee of the Royal
Horticultural Society. E. McMoreland, Esq., Haverstock
Hill, also exhibited one with a little more colour in the

138 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

flowers than Mr. Warner's specimen. Of this plant the roots
are very distinct from those of others of the genus ; they
are flat, and have a rough appearance, and very free in
growth ; the blossoms continue several weeks in perfection.
Mr. Warner has had it in bloom seven weeks, and it is still
in fine condition ; a great recommendation. The flowers are
sweet-scented.

PLEOINES.

Pretty small growing distinct looking plants, with small
bulbs. Every year after finishing their growth, the leaves
naturally begin to die away, which is the proper time to rest
them, when they should not have much water at the roots —
only just enough to keep them from shrivelling. They begin
to flower when they begin to grow. In their native country
they are called Indian crocuses, throwing up, as they do,
their flowers much like our common crocus, except that they
are of a different shape ; the blossoms are very handsome and
rich in colour; they are produced on stems three inches
high, in autumn, when destitute of leaves. Though not often
seen, these plants are well worth a place in every collection.
Being deciduous, they get neglected and lost just at a time
when they should receive most attention. They give little
trouble if properly managed, and at the right time, which is
the great secret in the treatment of most deciduous plants ;
they require a good season of growth, and after that one of
rest. The way in which I treat them is to pot them as soon
as they have flowered in a mixture of loam, peat, and sand,
with good drainage, and plenty of water; while growing,
after the bulbs are formed, give them but little water — just
enough, as I have stated, to keep them from shrivelling. As
soon as they begin to show flower, water freely, which will
induce their t blossoms to come finer ; they require the heat
of a Cattleya house.

PKOMEMAS. 139

P. humilis.—^A. splendid species from India, dwarf-growing,
in the way of Wallichiana, and with flowers three inches in
diameter ; sepals and petals bright rose ; lip white, spotted
with crimson, and striped with brown. Lasts in beauty two
or three weeks together.

P+ lagenaria. — A fine dwarf species, also from India, in the
way of maculata ; flowers on single stems three inches long ;
blossoms three inches across ; sepals and petals mauve ; lip
white, veined with crimson.

P. maculata. — A beatiful Orchid, from the Khoosea Hills,
with leaves six inches long ; sepals and petals delicate white \
lip same colour, beautifully barred with crimson. It blooms
in October and November, continuing three or four weeks in
perfection.

P. Wallichiana. — A truly handsome dwarf species from
India, 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.

PROMEN^IAS.

This is a small genus of pretty, little, dwarf-growing
Orchids, about three inches high ; they produce their flowers
from the side of their 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
with peat, in either house, with the same treatment as
Paphinia cristata.

Promencea Rollissonii (from Brazil). — It produces its pale
yellow flowers during the autumn, lasting three weeks or more
in beauty.

P. stapelioides (also from Brazil). — The colours of the
flowers are green and yellow. It blooms in July, August,
and September, and lasts long in perfection.

140 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

HENANTHERA.

Renanthera coccinea. — A Chinese Orchid, and the only one
of the genus that I have seen worth growing. It is a
straggling plant, often twelve feet or more in height, with
long stems, furnished with leaves up each side of them ; the
latter are about three inches long ; flowers beautiful orange
scarlet, produced from the axils of the leaves, and they con-
tinue in bloom several weeks together. This plant does
best trained up in the house where it is well exposed to
sunlight, which is the only sure way of inducing it to bloom ;
it is indeed a shy bloomer, which doubtless accounts for it
not being much cultivated. By letting it grow up the roof,
where it gets plenty of light and sun, it will, however, most
likely flower when sufficiently strong for that purpose. I
have seen it do well on a large block suspended from the roof,
where it had as many as five spikes on it at one time, and
when well bloomed it is well worth all the care that is
bestowed upon it, for it is a really handsome plant. As
regards treatment, grow it well during summer, and rest it
in winter, giving a liberal supply of heat and moisture during
the time it is in vigorous growth, which is from March till
October. While resting, let it have but little water — just
enough to keep it from shrivelling. The most suitable
material for it is sphagnum moss at the bottom of the plant,
which should be kept moist during the growing season.

SACCOLABIUMS.

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

SACCOLABIUMS. 141

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
worth growing. I have only named those that are the most
beautiful, and which ought to be in every collection, how-
ever small : they are even handsome without flowers.

Saccolabium ampullaceum. — A distinct compact habited and
pretty Orchid from India, with leaves about three or four inches
hi length ; grows about ten inches high ; producing spikes
of flower about six inches long, in May and June, of a beau-
tiful violet colour. Will succeed on a block, and remains in
beauty three weeks.

S. BlumeL — A beautiful distinct species from Java. It pro-
duces its flowers in July and August, which are violet and
white in colour, and last three weeks in perfection.

S. Blumei majus. — A charming Orchid from Java. The
colours of the flowers are the same as Blumei, the difference
between the two consisting in the majus having much larger
flowers and finer spikes. The growth of the plant is also
much stronger than Blumei.

S. curvifolium. — A handsome, compact habited dwarf-
growing species, also from India ; height six inches to a foot ;
foliage light coloured ; a free flowering kind with orange
scarlet blossoms. Will thrive well on a block suspended from
the roof ; blooms in May and June, and till within this last
twelve months, very rare, but now more plentiful.

S. furcatum. — A distinct and fine species from India ;
grows somewhat slowly, and has short leaves about eight
inches long; the flowers of this are further apart on the
spike than in guttatum ; colour white, spotted with rose ;
in bloom during July and August, and continues in perfec-
tion three weeks.

142 THE ORCHID-GKOWER'S MANUAL.

S. guttatum. — A remarkably handsome species from
India. 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. This makes one of the finest plants for exhibi-
tion. I observed specimens of this plant shown in the year
1850, with as many as twenty or twenty-five spikes of
flowers on a plant at one time.

S. guttatum giganteum. — A magnificent variety, the
leaves of which are longer than those of S. guttatum, and
spotted ; spikes also longer, and the flowers more distinct in
the markings than in the former ; makes a fine exhibition
plant ; blossoms in June and July, and will last three or four
weeks in perfection.

S. guttatum Holfordianum. — Another variety and the
finest of the genus ; leaves broader than in S. guttatum, and
more blunt at the ends ; flower spikes much larger, longer,
and of a richer colour than those of the kind just named.
This was bloomed first by Mr. Bassett, gardener to R. S. Hoi-
ford, Esq., Weston Bert, Gloucestershire, in compliment to
whom it is named. Of this there is also a fine plant in
the collection of A. Bassett, Esq., Stamford Hill, under the
care of Mr. Baker, his gardener.

JS. miniatum. — A pretty, distinct, small-growing Orchid
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 with-
out moss.

S. prcemorsum. — A lovely species from Malabar. The
flowers are white, thinly spotted with lilac. It blooms in
May and June : lasts three weeks in perfection. A slow
growing kind, with stout stiff foliage. It also makes a fine
exhibition plant.

SCHOMBURGKIAS. 143

S. retusum. — A fine free-growing species, stronger than
most others ; blossoms in May and June, producing long
spikes of white and pink-spotted flowers in great abundance,
and continuing in bloom three or four weeks. A useful plant,
which comes in rather earlier than any of the other kinds.

S, Wiglitianum. — A small and pretty species from India,
not so good as any of the others that I have named ; but
still worth growing, on account of its compact habit and dis-
tinct coloured flowers, whose sepals and petals are orange-
yellow ; lip violet ; blossoms in June, and will last three weeks
in perfection. Thrives well on a block.

SCHOMBURGKIAS.

Of this genus only a few are worth cultivating, though
the blossoms of many are individually very attractive ; the
fact is, they are too shy in 'flowering, producing long spikes
with but very few blossoms on them. In growth they re-
semble Cattleyas or Lcelias, except that they are not so com-
pact, producing upright bulbs twelve inches or more in
length, with generally from one to three leaves on the top ;
their spikes proceed from the top of the bulbs, and are from
three to five feet long. The following are the best I have seen ;
they succeed on blocks or in baskets suspended from the roof
in moss and peat mixed together in the Cattleya house ;
they like a liberal supply of water during the growing season ;
after they have completed their growth keep them dry until
they begin to show flower. Propagation is effected by divid-
ing the bulbs.

Schomburgkia crispa. — A pretty species, from Brazil, with
bulbs a foot high, and spikes three feet long, with several
flowers on the top. This does best in a basket, and will grow
to a good size ; blossoms during winter, and will last three
weeks in perfection, if the flowers are kept dry.

S. Lyonsii. — A handsome kind, which grows a foot high,

144 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

and produces its spikes of blossoms three or four feet
long, several together ; colour of flowers white, spotted with
purple ; will succeed either on a block or in a basket sus-
pended from the roof, and lasts in bloom three weeks.

S. tibicina. — A species from Honduras, and the best I
have seen of the genus ; bulbs, large when 'well grown, and
will not flower till the bulbs are strong ; the blossoms are
produced on long spikes five feet or more in length, many
together ; each flower measures more than two inches across ;
sepals and petals pink, spotted with rich chocolate ; lip white
with rose colour on the side ; blooms in May and June, and
will keep flowering for six weeks ; it requires to be grown
strong before it will blossom, and is best grown on a block
with plenty of heat and moisture during the growing season.

SCUTICARIAS.

A small genus, of which I know of only two species, both
of which have evergreen foliage in the shape of a rush. The
flowers, which are handsome, proceed from the bottom of 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 in
the growing season. They are propagated by dividing the
plants just as they begin to grow.

Scuticaria Hadwenii. — A pretty Orchid with foliage a foot
long. This plant is very much like Steelii ; the only dif-
ference between the two is, that Hadwenii furnishes flowers
more erect, and stands one or two inches higher. The
colour of the flowers is nearly alike. A rare plant.

S. Steelii. — A handsome plant from Guayana, the foliage of
which is pendulous, three or four feet long j flowers yellow?
spotted with crimson. It produces its blossoms at different
times of the year, lasting a good time in perfection. Of
this plant I saw three varieties growing in the collection

SOBRALIAS. 145

of — Brocklehurst, Esq., under the care of Mr. Pass, his
gardener.

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

Sobralia liliastrum. — A distinct species from Guiana ; 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.

S. macrantha. — A remarkably handsome Orchid from Gua-
temala ; 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 perfec-
tion. This makes a fine plant for exhibition.

S. macrantha splendens. — A charming variety from Gua-
temala, flowering from June to August. It has darker
flowers than macrantha, but not so large.

146 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

SOPHRONITIS.

Another small genus of Orchids, and one of them, grandi-
flora, very handsome. The others are worth growing, 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.

S. 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 perfection. It blooms
in November and December. This plant ought to be in
every collection. Of this species there are two varieties ;
one produces short obtuse leaves, with exceedingly brilliant-
coloured flowers ; the other has longer leaves and bulbs, but
fainter-coloured flowers.

S. 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.

STANHOPEAS.

Fine looking Orchids, most of which have handsome-
coloured, waxy-looking, and curiously-formed flowers, pro-
duced from the bottom of the plant on spikes, several
together. The flowers only last a few days. Bulbs short
with strong evergreen foliage, about a foot and a half high.
Stanhopeas 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

STANHOPEAS. 147

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.

Stanhopea aurea (from Guatemala). — The colour of the
flowers is yellow. It blooms during the summer and autumn
months.

S. Devoniensis (from Mexico). — The flowers are orange,
spotted with red. It blooms during the summer.

S. grandiflora. — A distinct species from Trinidad. The
flowers are white, and very large. It blooms at different
times of the year, and lasts but three days in flower.

S. insignis (from Trinidad). — The colour is pale yellow,
spotted with red ; the lip nearly white spotted with purple.
It produces its flowers in August and September.

S. Martiana (from Mexico). — The sepals and petals are
straw-coloured, spotted with red; the labellum white. Blooms
during the autumn.

S. oculata (from Mexico). — Flowers from July to Novem-
ber ; the colour of the flowers is pale yellow, spotted with
purple.

S. 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.

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

L 2

148 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

TRICHOPILIA.

This is a small genus of Orchids, some of which are very
handsome and distinct ; their flowers are very curious 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, and should be well elevated above
the rim of the pot on account of their drooping flowers,
without too much water at the roots at any time. They
will do best in the Mexican house, and they are propagated
by dividing the plant.

Trwhopttia coccinea. — A pretty species from Central Ame-
rica. A very distinct plant ; sepals and petals are 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. Of this plant there
are many varieties.

T. crispa. — A charming species, and very rare ; it resembles
coccinea in growth, except that the bulbs are larger. Pro-
duces its blossoms during May and June, and they last two
weeks in perfection. Requires to be grown in a pot, and
elevated three inches above the rim, to show oft' to better
advantage the flowers which are drooping. Makes a good
plant for exhibition. Very scarce.

T. picta. — A beautiful new species, which grows six inches
high ; bulbs about two inches long. A very distinct kind ;
the flowers of which are of a pale yellow, and spotted with
brown. In bloom in August and September, and continues
two weeks in good condition.

T. suavis. — A magnificent 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, and as many as three are produced on a
spike. It blooms in March or April, lasting about two

UROPEDIITM. 149

weeks in perfection, and is best grown at the coolest end
of the house.

T. 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 produces its
flowers freely at different times of the year, and lasts two
or three weeks in beauty. There are two varieties of this
plant, one with much brighter coloured flowers than the
other.

UROPEDIUM.

Uropedium Lindenii. — A singular Orchid, and the only
one of the genus that I have seen ; it is a compact growing
plant, with pale green foliage about ten inches in length.
In growth it resembles Cypripedium caudatum, and throws up
its flower spikes from the centre of the leaves ; the blossoms,
which are produced two or more together, are large and
singular in shape ; from the end of the petals are produced
three long tails, measuring from eighteen inches to two feet
in length, of a reddish brown colour, the flowers themselves
being greenish white, striped with dark green. Though not
very showy, this plant is well worth growing on account of
its peculiarly-shaped blossoms ; it is by no means a difficult
plant to cultivate, if it but gets the treatment it requires.
I have found it to do best in a pot in a mixture of loam, peat,
and sand, with good drainage ; place the plant just below
the rim of the pot, and water liberally at the roots during
the growing season, which is nearly all the year ; it requires
but little rest j having no fleshy bulbs to support it, it of
course wants a certain degree of moisture at the roots, even
when comparatively at rest ; after growth is completed it will
begin to show flower, and then care should be taken that it
does not get dry at the root, for a certain quantity of nourish-
ment it must have to help it to bring its flowers to perfec-

150 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

tion. I have seen this plant shrivelled when the blossoms
have been showing, and through that the latter have been
nearly spoiled and the plant injured ; for if allowed to get
into an unhealthy state it is a long time before it recovers ;
it blooms during the summer months, and lasts some time in
beauty j propagation is effected by dividing the plant when
done growing, or just as it begins to push.

VANDAS.

These are a lovely class of plants, with magnificently -
coloured flowers, some of them very large. There are not
many plants that surpass Vandas in beauty of flowers.
They grow in the same way as Aerides and SaccolaUums,
having gracefully-formed evergreen foliage ; the upright
spikes, all of which bear large waxy flowers, spring from
the axils of the leaves. They require treatment similar to
that of Aerides, being subject to the same sort of insects,
and are propagated in the same way.

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

F. coerulea. — A remarkably handsome Orchid from India.
This fine plant produces its upright spikes of flowers, nine
or ten together, five inches across. The colour of the flowers
is a rich lilac ; they are produced during the autumn
months, and last six weeks in perfection. This plant does
not require so much heat as the other kinds.

F. cristata. — A charming Orchid from India ; sepals and
petals are whitish ; the lip is spotted and striped with dark
brown j it produces its flowers from March to July, lasting

VANDAS. 151

in bloom six weeks or two months. This very scarce Orchid
makes a fine plant for exhibition.

V. gigantea. — A magnificent Indian plant, with noble dark
green foliage, three inches broad, and of graceful habit ; if
the flowers are at all equal to the foliage it will indeed be one
of the finest of its class. I have not yet seen it in bloom,
but I believe it to be a very fine kind ; it is reputed to pro-
duce a drooping spike, with many flowers, three inches in
diameter, of a deep yellow, with crimson spots. I have a
fine specimen showing flower, which I hope to see in blossom
this season.

F Lowii. — A handsome-growing plant from Borneo, with
dark green foliage, grows several feet high, and is very shy
in producing its long drooping spikes of flowers, many
together, which are reddish brown and buff colour, two of
which, at the base of the spike, are yellow; it blossoms
during the summer months ; of this there are several large
plants, but I only know of two that have flowered, and these
were in Messrs. Veitch's collection.

V. insignis. — A pretty free-flowering species from Java,
and one which makes a fine specimen, being free in growth ;
petals pale-yellow, spotted with crimson ; lip pale lilac ;
blooms at different times of the year, but generally in spring
and autumn, and continues in bloom six weeks.

V. RoxburghiL — A good old species from India, with white
and purple-coloured flowers, which appear during the 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.

F. suavis. — A truly magnificent Orchid from Java ; a
strong- growing species, and very free in flowering. It pro-
duces branching spikes of flowers, each being large, of a
creamy white, spotted with crimson. It blooms at different
times of the year, lasting a long time in perfection. This
makes one of the finest plants for exhibition.

152 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

F. 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.

F. 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 per-
fection. There are two or three varieties of this plant ; some
are not so good as others. This also makes a fine plant for
exhibition.

F. tricolor superba. — A charming Orchid from Java, and a
fine variety of the preceding, often called suavis (Rollisson's).
Of this there are many varieties, the best of which is nearly
equal to suavis (Veitch's).

F. violacea. — A magnificent species from Manilla, which
grows in the way of /Saccolabium Blumei majus, with stiff pale
green leaves, enriched with several distinctly-coloured lines
running down each leaf ; petals white, with violet spot ; lip
violet, beautifully marked with a darker colour ; the flower
spikes are produced in the same way as those of Saccola-
biums in a drooping manner, very distinct from all the other
Vandas, and it is more compact in growth. Till within the
last few months this plant has been very rare, but now I
have many plants of it in fine condition.

Warrcea cyanea. — A very pretty and distinct Orchid from
Columbia. It is an upright-growing plant with evergreen
foliage, and requires to be grown in a pot, with peat and good
drainage, in the East India house. The colour of the flowers

ZYGOPETALUMS. 153

is white and purple. It blooms 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.

W. tricolor. — A very 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.

ZYGOPETALUMS.

Handsome 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 brachypetalum. — A Brazilian species and one
of the handsomest of the genus, having brownish sepals and
petals ; a little marbled with green and a deep blush violet j
lip veined with white. It blooms in December, lasting long
in perfection.

Z. crinitum coeruleum. — 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.

Z. intermedium (also from Brazil). — It produces green and
blue blossoms during the autumn, and continues in perfection
four or five weeks.

Z. Mackayi. — A handsome Brazilian plant. It produces
long spikes of large flowers during the winter. The colour 01
the flowers is greenish yellow, spotted with brown and lilac.

154 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL.

There are several varieties of this plant ; some much finer
than others. It lasts in perfection a long time.

Z. 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.

Z. rostratum. — A showy compact species from Demerara.
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.

INDEX.

PAGE

INTRODUCTION ... 1

Seedling Orchids .

J'AGE

. 30

Directions for the Period of

Orchids at present in cultiva

Growth 2

tion ....

35

Water 3

ACINETA

35

On the cultivation of Tropical

Barkerii

35

Orchids 4

densa

36

Mode of Potting and the Mate-

Humboldtii

36

rials to be used ... 5

AERIDES

36

Material for Terrestrial Orchids 7

Affine

38

Treatment of Fresh imported

,, superbum

38

Plants 7

Crispum

38

Advice to Collectors . . 8

, , Lindleyanum

39

Orchid Houses . . . . 11

„ pallidum .

39

Heating 13

,, Warnerii

39

Glazing 13
Ventilation . . . .14

Cylindricum .
Fieldingii .

39
39

Shading . . . . '. . 14

Larpentae

39

Lobbii .

39

Treatment of Plants in flower

maculosum

40

and the best mode of pro-

,, Schroderii

40

tracting their Bloom . . 15

McMorlandii

40

Treatment of Plants previously

nobile

40

to being taken to a Flower

odoratum .

40

Show ..... 16

,, cornutum .

41

Remarks on preparing Orchids
for travelling to a Flower

„ majus .
quinquevulnerum .

41
41

Show 17

,, album

41

Treatment during the Time of

roseum

41

Rest 20

superbum

42

Insects . . . . 22

JJ ^ »U.^V/A KSUJJJ. •

suavissimum

42

Hot in Orchids ... 25

Veitchii

42

Spot in ditto . . » . 25

virens ....

42

Propagation . . . .27
Mode of producing Back Breaks 29
On the mode of making Baskets

,, grandiflorum .
,, superbum .
Williamsii

42
42
43

and the best wood for that

AGANISIA

purpose . . . > . 29

pulchella .

43

156

INDEX.

PAGE

PAGE

YAEIEGATED ORCHIDS .

. 43

BLETIA

AlOECTOOHILTJS

patula

. 59

argenteus .

. 48

BOLBOPHYLLUM.

Bulleni .

. 49

barbigerum

. 59

El-dorado .

. 49

Henshalli

. 59

intermedius

. 49

saltatorium

. 59

javanicus ,

. 49

BRASSAVOLA

Lobbii

. 49

acaulis

. 60

Lowii ....

. 49

Digbyana .

. 60

, , virescens

. 50

glauca

. 60

Neville anus

. 50

venosa

. 60

"petola"

. 50

BRASSIA

querceticolus

. 50

Lanceana

. 61

Roxburghii

. 50

Lawrence ana

. 61

Ruckerii

. 50

maculata major

. 61

setaceous

. 51

verrucosa .

. 61

,, cordatus

. 51

,, superba

. 61

, , grandifolius

. 51

"Wrayii

. 61

striatus

. 51

BROUGHTONIA

Veitchii .

. 51

sanguinea

. 62

xanthophyllus

. 51

BURLINGTONIA

maculatus

. 52

amcena

. 62

ANGR^CTJM

Candida .

. 63

bilobum

. 52

fragrans

. 63

caudatum . ,

. 53

Knowlesii

. 63

eburneum .

. 53

venusta

. 63

,, superbum .

. 53

CALANTHE

,, virens .

. 53

Dominii .

. 64

sesquipedale .

. 53

furcata

. 64

ANGTJLOA

masuca .

. 64

Clowesii . .

. 54

, , grandiflora

. 65

,, macrantha .

. 54

Veitchii .

. 65

Ruckerii . .

. 54

veratrifolia .

. 65

uniflora .

, 55

vestita rubra oculata

. 65

virginalis .

. 55

,, lutea

. 65

ANSELLIA

CAMAROTIS

Africana . .

. 55

purpurea .

. 66

, , gigantea

. 55

CATTLEYA

ARPOPHYLLTJM

Aclandise .

. 68

cardinale .

. 56

amabilis .

. 68

giganteum .
spicatum . . ,

. 56
. 56

amethystoglossa .
bicolor

. 68
. 69

BARKERIA

Candida

. 69

elegans

. 57

citrina

. 69

melanocaulon .

. 57

crispa .

. 69

Lindleyanum

. 57

, , superba

. 70

Skinneri .

. 58

Edithiana . .

. 70

spectabilis .

. 58

elegans ,

. 70

BLETIA

granulosa .

. 70

campanulata .
Shepherdii . , ,

. 58
. 59

guttata .
„ Leopoldii .

. 70
. 71

INDEX.

157

PAGE

PAGE

CATTLEYA

CYCNOCHES

Harrjsonise

. 71

Loddigesii .

. 82

,, violacea

. 71

pentadactylon .

. 82

hybrida .

. 72

ventricosum

. 82

intermedia violacea

. 72

CYMBIDIUM

,, superba .

. 72

eburneum

. 83

labiata
„ atropurpurea

. 72
. 72

giganteum .
Mastersii

. 83
. 83

,, pallida

. 73

*7O

pendulum .

. 83

, , picta . .

7o

Lemoniana . „ Ji-g4

. 73

CYPBIPEDIUM

lobata

. 73

barbatum

. 84

Loddigesii .

. 73

,, grandiflorum

. 84

marginata
maxima

. 74
. 74

, , superbum
biflorum

. 84
. 85

McMorlandii .

. 74

caudatum

. 85

Mossise

. 74

„ roseum.

. 85

,, aurantiaca .

. 75

t)ayii

. 85

,, superba .
pumila

. 75

. 75

Farrieanum
hirsutissimum

. 85
. 85

quadricolor . . &.

. 75

insigne

. 85

Schilleriana . l&$k

. 75

,, Maulei .

. 86

Skinneri . . .

. 75

Lowii ....

. 86

superba .

. 76

purpuratum .

. 86

violacea .. „ £•}..

. 76

Schlimii

. 86

Wagnerii

. 76

Yillosum .

. 87

Walkeriana

. 76

DENDROBIUM

Warnerii

. 77

aduncum .

. 88

Warcsewiczii

. 77

aggregatum majus .

. 88

,, delicata

. 77

albo sanguineum

. 89

CHYSIS

album

. 89

aurea . , ' . T

78

anosmum .

. 89

bractescens . „ y i ,•

. 78

Calceolaria

. 89

Isevis . . • • v-ijf

. 78

Cambridgeanum .

. 90

Limminghii . . ' I •&

. 78

chrysanthemum

. 90

CffiLOGYNE

chrysotoxum

. 90

cristata . . . vV

. 79

clavatum

. 90

Cummingii . . ' <* .f*

. 79

crepidatum .

. 90

Gardneriana . . v

. 79

cretaceum

. 91

Lowii . . . : ", ';••

. 80

Dalhousianum

. 91

media . .. /i. '

. 80

densiflorum

. 91

pandurata . . '.• ,-t

. 80

,, album

. 91

plantaginia . , .',

. 80

Devonianum .

. 91

speciosa . . ... '

. 80

Falconerii .

. 92

COKYANTHES

Farmerii .

. 92

macrantha ...

. 81

fimbriatum .

. 92

maculata . . ; vV

. 81

,, oculatum

. 93

speciosa . . ,

. 81

formosum .

. 93

CYCNOCHES

,, giganteum

. 93

barbatum ,

. 82

Gibsonii

. 93

chlorochilum . , .

. 82

Heyneanum

. 93

158

INDEX.

PAGE

PAGE

DENDROBITJM

GALEANDRA

Jenkinsii . . • .

94

cristata

. 104

lituiflorum

94

Devoniana

. 104

longicorim majua . .

94

GOODYERA

Lowii * «

94

discolor . .

. 105

macropliyllum . . .

95

Dominii

. 105

„ giganteum .

95

picta . . .

. 106

moniliforme .

95

pubescens

. 106

,, majus . .

95

rubro-venia.

. 106

moschatum

95

GRAMMATOPHYLLTJM

nobile . . . .

95

Ellisii .

. 107

,, intermedium .

96

speciosum . 4

. 107

,, pendulum . . .

96

HOULLETIA

Paxtonii ....

96

Brocklehurstiana .

. 108

Pierardii . . . .

96

odoratissima

. 108

,, latifolium .

96

HtTNTLEYA

prinmlinum

96

marginata

. 108

pulchellum purpureum .
sanguinolentum . . .
taurinum

97
97
97

meleagris .
violacea
"Wailesise .

. 108
. 108
. 109

transparens . . .

97

IONOPSIS

tortile ....

98

paniculatus .

. 109

triadenium . . . .

98

L^ELIA

Wallichianum . . .

98

acuminata

. 110

DENDROCHILTJM

albida .

. 110

filiforme . . . .

98

anceps

. 110

glumaceum
EPIDENDRTTM

98

autumnalis .
Brysiana . . .
Cinnabarina .

. 110
. 110
. Ill

alatum majus . . .

99

elegans

. Ill

atropurpureum, var. ro

1 AA

,, Dayii .

. Ill

seum ....
aurantiacum .

10U

100

,, Warnerii
flava

. Ill
111

aloifolium. . . .
bicornutum .
cinnabarinum . . .
crassifolium .
Hanburyanum . . .
macrochilum .

100
100
101
101
101
101

furfuracea
grandis
Lindleyana
majalis .
Maryanii .
peduncularis .

'. 112
. 112
. 112
. 112
. 113
. 113

,, roseum . .
maculatum grandiflorum
phceniceum . . .
rhizophorum .
Stamfordianum . . .

101
102
102
102
102

Perrinii
prestans .
purpurata
,, Williamsii
Schilleriana . .

. 113
. 113
. 113

. 114
. 114

yerrucosum .
vitellinum . . .

102
102

superbiens .
xanthina

. 114
. 115

„ majus .

103

L^LIOPSIS

ERIOPSIS

Domingensis

. 115

biloba . ...

103

LEPTOTES

GALEANDRA

bicolor .

. 115

Banerii . . »

103

serrulata . . «

. 115

INDEX.

159

PAGE

PAGE

LlMATODES

ONCIDIITM

rosea

. 116

Cavendishii .

. 126

LYCASTE

ciliatum .

. 126

cruenta

. 117

crispum

. 126

Deppii .
Skinneri . . ,

. 117
. 117

, , grandiflorum
divaricatum .

. 127
. 127

,, alba

. 117

flexuosum .

. 127

, , delicatissima

. 117

Forbesii .

. 127

,, rosea

. 118

hsematochilum .

. 127

, , superba

. 118

incurvum

. 127

MILTONIA

Lanceanum

. 127

bicolor .

. 118

leucochilum .

. 128

Candida

. 118

longipes .

. 128

,, grandiflora .

. 119

luridum guttatum .

. 128

Clowesii major

. 119

oblongatum

. 128

cuneata

. 119

ornithorynchum

. 128

Karwinski

. 119

Papilio majus .

. 129

Morelii

. 119

phymatochilum

. 129

,, atrorubens .

. 119

pulchellum

. 129

Regnelli .

. 119

pulvinatum .

. 129

spectabilis

. 120

,, majus .

. 129

MORMODES

roseum .

. 130

crinitum .

. 120

Sarcoides .

. 130

luxatum ,

. 120

sessile .

. 130

pardinum .
ODONTOGLOSSUM
citrosmum

. 120

. 121

sphacelatum majus .
unguiculatum
variegatum

. 130
. 130

. 130

„ roseum

. 121

PAPHINIA

cordatum

. 121

cristata .

131

coronarium

. 122

tigrina

. 131

grande .

. 122

PERISTERIA

hastillabium

. 122

elata

. 132

Insleayii

. 122

cerina

. 132

maculatum '

. 122

guttata .

. 132

membranaceum . .

. 122

PHAJTJS

nsevium

. 123

albus

. 133

,, majus

. 123

grandifolius .

. 133

Pescatorei .

. 123

Wallichii .

. 133

Phalsenopsis .

. 123

PHAKENOPSIS

pulchellum

. 124

amabilis . . .

136

Rossii . .

. 124

grandiflora

. 136

triumphans . V

. 124

Lobbii .

. 136

Uro-Skinneri .

. 124

rosea

. 137

"Warnerii .

. 124

Schilleriana .

. 137

ONCIDIUM

PLEOINE

ampliatum majus .

. 125

humilis

. 139

Barkerii .

. 125

lagenaria

. 139

Batemanii

. 125

maculata .

. 139

bifolium .

. 125

"Wallichiana .

. 139

bicallosum

. 126

PROMEN^A

bicolor . « *:

. 126

Rollissonii

. 139

160

INDEX.

PAGE

PROMEN.EA

STANHOPEA

Stapelioides .

. 139

Martiana

RENANTHERA

oculata

coccinea . . »

. 140

tigrina .

SACCOLABITJM

. ,, lutescens

ainpullaceum .

. 141

TRICHOPILIA

Bhimei

. 141

coccinea

„ majus

. 141

crispa

curvifoliuni

. 141

picta

furcatum

. 141

suavis

guttatum .

. 142

tor tills . . .

j > giganteum

. 142

UROPEDIUM

,, Holfordianum

. 142

Lindenii .

miniatum

. 142

VANDA

prsemorsum

. 142

Batemanii

retusum

. 143

ccerulea

Wightianum

. 143

cristata .

SCHOMBURGKIA

gigantea .

crispa

. 143

Lowii .

Lyonsii .

. 143

insignis

tibicina

. 144

Roxburgh!! .

SCUTICARIA

suavis . ,

Hadwenii

. 144

teres

Steelii

. 144

tricolor

SOBRALIA

, , superba

liliastra .

. 145

violacea

macrantha .

. 145

WAER^A

, , splendens

. 145

cyanea .

SOPHRONITIS

tricolor

cernua

. 146

ZYGOPETALUM

grandiflora

. 146

brachypetalum

violacea

. 146

crinitum coeruleum

STANHOPEA

intermedium .

aurea

147

Mackayii .

Devoniensis

. 147

maxillare

grandiflora

. 147

rostratum .

insignis .

. 147

PAGE

147
147
147
147

148
148
148
148
149

149

150
150
150
151
151
151
151
151
152
152
152
152

152
153

153
153
153
153
154
154

THE END.

BRADBURY AND EVANS, PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.

SELECT ORCHIDACEOUS PLANTS.

PAET I.
BY EGBERT WARNER.

Folio. LOVELL REEVE.

The following is an extract from a notice of this Work
in the Gardeners' Chronicle, July 5, 1862 :—

" This new contribution to our knowledge of Orchids will appear in ten
quarterly parts, price 10s. 6d. each. The author states that ' having
one of the largest amateur collections of Orchidaceous plants, and being in
friendly correspondence with the principal growers throughout the country,
he possesses ample opportunities for selecting the most interesting species
and varieties for illustration. One object of the work will be to collect
and disseminate information as to the best means of growing and flowering
Orchidaceous plants. It is consequently intended to devote ample space to
the details of cultivation ; and the author will gladly avail himself of the
assistance of those who are willing to communicate the results of their
practice.' Mr. Williams, the author of the ' Orchid- Grower's Manual,'
and one of the most skilful of cultivators, being associated in the under-
taking, the public has the best possible guarantee that the foregoing
promise will be kept. The species now figured are 1, Phalaanopsis
Schilleriana; 2, Cattleya amethystoglossa ; 3, Vanda insignis ; and 4,
Oattleya Warscewiczii delicata. Of the three last noble plants the figures
are worthy of Fitch's skilful pencil."

\* The above Work can be sent by post from PARADISE
NURSERY, HOLLOWAY, N.

SELECT ORCHIDACEOUS PLANTS.

BY ROBERT WARNER, F.R.H.S.

THE NOTES ON CULTURE BY B. S. WILLIAMS,

Author of the " Orchid-Grower's Manual," and " Hints on the Cultivation
of Ferns," assisted by some of the best Growers.

LONDON : LOVELL REEVE & Co,

Extract respecting this work from Cottage Gardener,
July 22, 1862 :—

" This work promises to be excellent in every respect. The portraits
of the Orchids in the first number, just published, are of life-size, and
truthfully drawn and coloured. They are four in number — Phalsenopsis
Schilleriana, Cattleya amethystoglossa, Vanda insignis, and Cattleya
Warscewiczii delicata. The work will embrace only those Orchids which
are most beautiful and recently acquired, whether they be species or
varieties, and thus will include ' real gems of the OrcMd-house, which are
rather ignored by those who look at the subject from a purely scientific
point of view.' Yet there is enough of scientific description, given in
language intelligible to every reader, sufficient to confirm him in his
identifying the plant, which he may do, however, by the portraits, without
any such aid. The directions for cultivating the Orchids portrayed are
also full and good. In fact the work, judging from the specimen, will be
such as might be expected from the authors, they being one of the largest
amateur proprietors, and one of the best practical cultivators of Orchids in
our times."

In Svo cloth, price 3s. 6d.,
HINTS ON THE CULTIVATION

OF

BRITISH AND EXOTIC

FEENS AND LYCOPODIUMS,

WITH

DESCRIPTIONS OF ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY SPECIES AND
VARIETIES.

BY BENJAMIN SAMUEL WILLIAMS.

CHAPMAN & HALL, 193, PICCADILLY, LONDON.

14 DAY USE

RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED

This boolc isaue on the last date stamped below, or

on the date to which renewed.
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