Thomas Moore

“ The Comparettias will not submit to be divided or cut; and we find the Cattleya house the most suitable structure to grow them in. They are subject to the attacks of white scale, and if these are allowed to accumulate, the plants will soon show signs of bad health, but if sufficient care is bestowed to keep them clean they will well repay the trouble which is taken, and afford great pleasure not only to those who are fond of Orchids, but also to those who take an interest in watching these floral treasures as they put out their new growths and beautiful flowers. ”

“ Extremes of heat and cold, high winds, and hailstorms, heavy falls of snow and rain—all these we are in a great measure able to prevent from doing any harm to our plants; but the fog demon, however careful we may be, outdoes us. We may keep our doors closed, pull down the blinds, shut up the ventilators, but still he is upon us, entering by the laps of the glass, or through the crevices of the framework of the house. Nearly all Orchids which happen to be either in flower or bud at the time a fog comes on, fall a prey to its destructive powers. ”

“ The Dendrobes form a large and splendid group of Orchids, in which may be found some of the finest examples of the Orchid family. The species we have now the pleasure to bring before our readers is of recent introduction, and is one of the most beautiful and distinct of the whole family, not only as regards its flowers, which are very attractive, but also on account of its very peculiar jointed stems, of which a better idea will be obtained from our illustration than from any minute description. ”

“ Our present subject is a free-growing plant, and thrives under the same treatment as Lælia purpurata, being very much like it in its habit of growth. The requisite material in which to cultivate it is good fibrous peat, accompanied by ample drainage, as it requires a moderate amount of moisture, when in vigorous growth, which is during the winter season; of course at that time of year the soil does not dry so rapidly, and therefore water given twice in the week will usually supply all the wants of the plants, but should the weather be very bright, more might be required. ”

“ We have in cultivation many handsome species of Cattleya, but that now before us is very distinct from any we have previously seen, and is quite new to us. The growers of Orchids are all on the lookout for new species, especially such as are distinct. We are, therefore, glad to be able to bring such a beautiful and charming species as this, under the notice of our readers. There are, indeed, numerous other fine Cattleyas in cultivation, but many of them are much alike in form and colour. ”

“ It is altogether a charming winter-blooming species, but it is seldom seen. Mr. Smee is a great lover of Orchids, and is beginning to make a collection, in which already some rare species appear. He is trying experiments in their cultivation, and we are inclined to think that many plants will succeed under his treatment. The house is a very peculiar one; we have not seen one like it before. It is a long house, and in it there are different temperatures kept up, so that the different Orchids can be grown in the same house. Many plants were in bloom when we saw the collection in January last. ”

“ Cattleya labiata.—H. Gaskell, Esq., of Woolton Wood, Woolton, Liverpool, has been kind enough to send us one of the finest inflorescences of this old favourite we have ever seen. The spike carries five large flowers, the sepals and petals are magenta-rose colour, the lip rich crimson. ”

“ There are in our collections many forms of this species, and most of them are well worthy of cultivation, the flowers being for the most part good in shape and of a pure white, which is a colour generally sought after by those who have a keen taste for floral beauty. A hundred of these gems can be cultivated in a small space, and they can now be purchased at so cheap a rate that they are within reach of everyone who can afford to erect a small house; and being really cool Orchids they require but little fire heat at any time, and none whatever during the summer months. ”

“ The plants have real vigour about them, sending out their growths and making roots freely, which is a sure sign they are doing well. The Cattleya house is a well-built structure, having plenty of light, with provision for a good circulation of air, two things very essential to the successful cultivation of Orchids. Mr. Philbrick is doing the right thing in securing the very best species and varieties, for, as he remarked to us, “they take up no more room than the bad ones, which are dear at any price.” ”

“ The rule we always lay down for the cultivation of these plants is to secure for them all the bright light possible. The only way to be successful in growing them is to give them plenty of light, air, and moisture in their growing season ”

“ Phaius tuberculosus produces short fusiform fleshy stems, from which proceed the new growths, consisting of a tuft of plicate leaves, of light green colour, and with them the flower spike, which is erect, and has as yet only borne about half-a-dozen flowers on each. It blooms during January and February, and is difficult to establish and cultivate. As the plant gets better understood it may be found more easy to import, and other growers may then be more successful. Many of the imported plants have been lost through want of knowledge as to packing and other requirements of travel ”

“ Their leaves being broad and thin are apt to become spotted if exposed to the full sun heat, but they like plenty of light, which they get when hanging from the roof, besides which their growth becomes more robust, and their foliage stands better. We find the cool end of the East Indian house to suit them. They require to be watered all the year round, not having bulbous stems to support them, and they take little rest, being generally in full vigour. In winter rather less water may be given, just sufficient to keep them plump. ”

“ A little charcoal placed on the top of the peat is advantageous, as the roots lay hold of it freely; and it is also desirable to mix a portion with the peat, as it renders it more porous, and allows the water to pass off more freely, thereby helping to keep the compost sweet. This latter is a matter of great importance to the plants, for Cattleyas, like many other Orchids, do not like the soil in which they are planted to set too closely together to the exclusion of fresh air from their roots. There is no doubt the access of fresh air keeps them in a more vigorous condition. ”

“ The new variety is in all respects similar to the type, save in the absence of the yellow blotch upon the lip. It is a compact-growing evergreen plant, attaining the same dimensions as regards foliage and bulbs as Cœlogyne cristata itself, and 13 producing its pure white spotless flowers in the same manner, four or five together on a drooping spike; it blossoms during the winter and spring, and lasts for two or three weeks in beauty if the flowers are kept dry. It is both a free-growing and a free-blooming plant, and will no doubt thrive either in the Odontoglossum or Cattleya house. ”

“ The flower-spikes proceed from the base of the 7 pseudobulbs, and produce four to seven funnel-shaped flowers on each spike. The sepals and petals are of a creamy white hue, tipped with rich magenta, while the lip is yellow, the whole perianth being very thick and fleshy in texture. The plant produces its blossoms during the autumn months, and succeeds well if cultivated in a pot with plenty of good drainage; fibrous peat should be used for potting, and a liberal supply of water should be given during the growing season, which is just after the flowering period. ”

“ Lælia anceps delights in a copious supply of moisture when growing, and like other Orchids when at rest requires only just sufficient to prevent the bulbs from shrivelling. It should be grown in a pot or basket suspended from the roof, in a good airy position; the compost best suited to it is good fibrous peat, with the addition of a little moss. The plant is increased by division just as it starts into growth. ”

“ Doing well in the same house, near the door, are a quantity of plants of Vanda teres, planted out in a compost of moss and charcoal, which is kept together on the stage of the house by a wirework edging. Here the plants are allowed to grow freely until they touch the glass, when they are cut down and replanted. All the light possible is given them, together with a copious supply of water, and the plants flower luxuriantly every year. ”

“ It is of free growth when it obtains the requisite treatment. We have found it to thrive best in the East Indian house, on a side table, as near the light as possible, but not exposed to the sun, as the leaves are tender and easily get spotted. When a suitable place is found, let it remain in it. It requires to be kept constantly moist at the roots, as it is nearly always growing. We cultivate it in rough fibrous peat, with the addition of sphagnum moss, and give good drainage. ”

“ There is more than many growers imagine in this matter of setting plants in the places which they are found to like best. Some cultivators, because they have succeeded for a few years, think they can do as they please with a particular plant, but this is an error. We often meet with cases in which persons have grown their plants well for a few years, after which they go back. The cause is generally not far to seek. It may often be attributed to over watering, or to keeping the plants dry when they should have been moist, or to changing the temperature, or allowing the plants to get dirty. ”

“ The Oncids form a large genus of Orchids, some of which are large-growing plants with showy flowers. They form a most useful group, and many of them are of easy cultivation, especially the large-growing kinds, which we find in the older collections of Orchids, these being cultivated for their long spikes of golden blossoms, which are useful for cutting purposes, and where large vases of flowers have to be supplied the graceful effect produced by their light airy panicles and their bright colours is very charming. ”

“ Whenever we find a plant, as this is, difficult to cultivate, we should endeavour to find out which house suits it best; this may easily be done if we have different houses situate in different aspects, and even if there is but one house a great deal can be done by placing the plant in different positions in that house. ”

“ We mention this in order that cultivators may know and understand that there are various Orchids which can be grown, and grown well, in company with other subjects in an ordinary plant stove. We ourselves have found that many of the species do best in a house where such plants as Crotons, &c., are grown. Dendrobiums especially like this treatment, under which the bulbs attain much larger dimensions, and become better ripened. It is quite an erroneous idea that Orchids all require special houses for their successful cultivation. ”

“ Everyone who possesses a taste for horticulture—and especially for the wonderful productions of nature which have been brought from distant lands by our plant collectors, and are transmitted to our exhibitions both by amateur growers and nurserymen, so that the public may be able to see all these treasures at one view—should avail themselves of the opportunity of witnessing this exhibition. The entrance fee is only one shilling, and besides Orchids there is always provided a grand display of other plants, too numerous to mention. ”