Dendrobium

“ Cypripedium Spicerianum, Cyp. Curtisii, Lœlia anceps alba. Rarely now are we thrilled by sensations like these. But 1891 brought two of the old-fashioned sort, the reappearance of Cattleya labiata autumnalis and the public sale of Dendrobium phalœnopsis Schroderianum. The former event deserves a special article, "The Lost Orchid;" but the latter also was most interesting. Messrs. Sander are the heroes of both. Dendrobium ph. Schroederianum was not quite a novelty. The authorities of Kew obtained two plants from an island in Australasia a good many years ago. ”

“ From these bulbs the arrowroot is produced by pounding them in water and drying the precipitated farina in the sun.
There are several beautiful varieties of orchidaceous plants upon the mountains; among others, several species of the dendrobium. Its rich yellow flowers hang in clusters from a withered tree, the only sign of life upon a giant trunk decayed, like a wreath upon a grave. The scent of this flower is well known as most delicious; one plant will perfume a large room. ”

“ Dendrobium Findleyanum is a free-growing plant, and its curiously knotted stems have a singular appearance. The blossoms are produced very freely; the sepals and petals are white, tipped with pale magenta, while the lip is white, with the apex rosy purple, and the throat or disk yellow. ”

“ Attached to rocky surfaces, and to the bark of trees in shady places, the eye is frequently arrested by the sight of most beautiful orchids, principally of the genus Dendrobium. These orchids are objects of much concern to the more enterprising colonists, as there is an oft-repeated story that some years ago a white-flowered Dendrobium was found on Goode Island, and on being sent to England was sold for £200. Consequently everyone collecting orchids is supposed to be in quest of the famous white species. ”

“ Must we admit, then, that a Dendrobium of the Himalayas (crystallinum) does not differ generically from an Epidendrum of Mexico (radicans) ?
This is not the place to argue it out; nor, in truth, would there be much profit in arguing the question while the number of facts to be adduced is still so small that error is not improbable. I hope I have made it clear that the hybridisation of orchids is the most fascinating of botanic studies at this time; which is all I have in view.
But professional ‘growers’ are not likely to help the cause of science much—no blame to them either. ”

“ In growth it resembles Dendrobium chrysotoxum, but the flowers are much more showy; in D. chrysotoxum they are wholly yellow, whereas in this species there is a large sanguineous purple blotch on the lip, forming a striking contrast to the rich golden yellow of the sepals and petals; in addition to this they are sweet-scented. The plant is of free-flowering habit, and when well-grown produces finely-developed flower-spikes. We have seen as many as three spikes proceeding from a single stem. ”

“ But Professor Reichenbach drily refused to consider personal questions; and really, seeing how short is life, and how long Dendrobium nobile Heathfield, &c., true philanthropists will hold him justified.
We may expect wondrous Dendrobes from New Guinea. Some fine species have already arrived, and others have been sent in the dried inflorescence. Of D. phalœnopsis Schroederi I have spoken elsewhere. There is D. Goldiei; a variety of D. superbiens—but [Pg 131] much larger. ”

“ Of another section of the order, formerly comprehended under the Linnean genus Epidendrum, most of which, though not properly parasitical, grow upon trees, several species, chiefly belonging to Dendrobium, are found in New Holland. In the northern hemisphere very few plants of this section that grow on trees have been observed beyond the tropic. The only exceptions to this, that I am acquainted with, consist of two species of a genus related to Dendrobium, discovered by Dr. ”

“ Form is scarcely less strange than odor in many orchids, most of the species bearing a pronounced or faint resemblance to some form of bird, insect, or animal life. The Masdevallias and Maxillarias, how like the walking-stick and water-skaters many of them are! My primrose-scented Dendrobium looks like a flock of lovely buff-colored moths ready to take flight 161from the stems. The ivory-white flowers of Angræcum sesquipidale, whose perfume so strongly resembles that of the white garden lily, look like a starfish. ”

“ Further remarks on this and other details will be found under the headings of the different genera, but it will be better now to state in general terms that during the season of active growth any reasonably high temperature by sun-heat, secured by keeping the house tolerably close and well shaded, greatly benefits the plants. This is specially noticeable where batches of Dendrobium nobile, D. Wardianum, and other deciduous Dendrobiums are grown. Those who grow them best allow the house containing the plants to become very warm ”

“ Cymbidium aloifolium was everywhere plentiful, clustering in large masses on the boles of large trees in the clearings. At an elevation of about 1000 feet we came to a village and fruit grove, and here we stayed to rest awhile as the sun was now very hot overhead, and a drink of cocoa-nut milk proved very grateful. On the trees here I obtained a greenish yellow flowered dendrobium, which proved to be a new species very similar to the D. d’Albertisii of New Guinea. At about 1500 feet we reached the skirt of the old forest, and had to dismount and do the rest [213] of the ascent on foot. ”

“ P. Leys, M.B., Colonial Surgeon of Labuan, B. Leysianum, Rchb. f. Its structure is so very extraordinary that nothing but an engraving could give any adequate idea of its characteristics. A creamy flowered dendrobium (D. cerinum, Rchb. f.) , grew on trees here and there, bearing its flowers in clusters, and a dwarf cymbidium (C. Spinksianum, Rchb. f.) , was also met with [258] in bloom, as also was a white-blossomed ixora, bearing pendulous compound clusters of fragrant blossoms. ”

“ Lælia purpurata and Cattleya Warneri, both wonderful specimens, as also was Masdevallia Harryana; Cypripedium barbatum superbum which had a hundred blooms upon it, and was not made up for the occasion, but had been grown on from a single plant; and Dendrobium Wardianum which was a magnificent plant. Great credit is due to Mr. Osman for his talent, in successfully cultivating so fine a collection. G. Hardy, Esq., of Timperley, exhibited some wonderful plants, especially of Cattleyas, Lælias, Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, Oncidium Marshallianum, Odontoglossum vexillarium, &c. ”

“ It is a very lovely species. Our drawing of this rare variety was taken from a plant in the Victoria Nursery, Upper Holloway, where we have had the different forms flowering during the months of May and June, many of them growing on a back wall on blocks of wood, and producing a fine effect with their spikes of yellow blossoms hanging over the foliage. Even when grown in pots or baskets they have a pleasing effect, and take but little space.
Dendrobium Farmerii aureum is a compact evergreen species from Moulmein. It grows about ten inches high, with dark green shining foliage. ”

“ Among the plants we saw to-day was a splendid large bolbophyllum (B. petreianum) . A vanda grew on the trees overhanging the river, but was not in bloom. The deliciously-perfumed snow-white flowers of Dendrobium crumenatum, which were especially beautiful on the immense boulders of granite on the green at Koung, was also often met with to-day, and at one of the fords a large-growing cœlogyne (C. racemosa) bore drooping spikes of yellow and white flowers, the entire inflorescence being nearly a yard in length. ”

“ The stems will sometimes produce spikes for several years in succession. The flowers last from two to three weeks in perfection if kept from damp.
Like other Dendrobiums, this species is found growing on the trunks and branches of trees in positions where it gets plenty of light and air. With us it thrives well grown in a basket suspended near the roof, so as to obtain all the light and air possible; the bulbs thus become well matured. The best material for growing it in is sound sweet fibrous peat, with a good supply of drainage. ”

“ Many trees endure sadly the decoration of orchids in full flower, some lovely to look on and deliciously scented. The snowy plumes of one species sway gently, as if offering friendly greeting. A worthy similitude to the lily of the valley clings to a decaying limb, and a passing smudge of lustrous brown is but the reflection from a mass of the commonest of the Dendrobiums which encumbers a long-suffering host. Where forest trees and wattles guard the bank the water is of a different hue, as if the face of the river had absorbed less of the actualities of the sun. ”

“ On the East coast of New Holland several species of Dendrobium and Cymbidium are found in 34° S. lat.; but this is probably about their southern limit in that country, no species having been met with on any part of its South coast. They have, however, been observed in a considerably higher latitude in New Zealand, in the northern island of which several species were collected by Sir Joseph Banks, in about 38° S. lat., and Epidendrum autumnale of Forster grows in the neighbourhood of Dusky Bay, in upwards of 45° S. lat. ”

“ There is actually no end to the delightful vagaries of these plants. If people only knew what interest and pleasing excitement attends the inflorescence of an imported orchid—one, that is, which has not bloomed before in Europe—they would crowd the auction-rooms in which every strange face is marked now. There are books enough to inform them, certainly; but [Pg 130] who reads an Orchid Book? Even the enthusiast only consults it.
Dendrobium nobile Cooksoni, then, has white tips to petal and sepal; the crimson spot keeps its place ”

“ It is under these conditions, however, that all the finer Indian Orchideæ, grow, of which we found Dendrobium Farmeri, Dalhousianum, Devonianum, etc., with Vanda cœrulea; whilst the most beautiful species of Cœlogyne, Cymbidium, Bolbophyllum, and Cypripedium, inhabit cool climates at elevations above 4000 feet in Khasia, and as high as 6000 to 7000 in Sikkim.
[370] We collected seven men’s loads of this superb plant for the Royal Gardens at Kew; but owing to unavoidable accidents and difficulties, few specimens reached England alive. ”

“ But it does not help us to understand. Countless are the species of Dendrobium, many those of Laelia; but in each case no other shows this peculiarity.
Brassavola Digbyana was first sent to Europe in 1845 by the Governor of British Honduras, who named it in honour of his kinsman, Lord Digby. Once only had the plant been received since that time, so far as I can learn, until last year. But the second cargo, in 1879, ‘went a very long way.’ Messrs. Stevens have rarely been so embarrassed with treasures. The history of that prodigious consignment is worth recording. ”

“ Dendrobium bigibbum, Lindley, in Paxton’s Flower Garden, iii, 25, fig. 245; Hooker, Botanical Magazine, t. 4898; Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ, vi., 302; Warner, Select Orchidaceous Plants, 2 ser. t. 8; Van Houtte, Flore des Serres, xi., t. 1143; Bateman, Second Century of Orchidaceous Plants, t. 169; Williams, Orchid Growers’ Manual, 5 ed., 165. ”

“ 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. ”

“ The plants thus distributed will be grown in the open air; naturally they will seed; at least, we may hope so. Even Angræcum sesquipedale, of which I wrote in the preceding chapter, would find a moth able to impregnate it in South Brazil. Such species as recognize the conditions necessary for their existence will establish themselves. It is fairly safe to credit that in some future time, not distant, Cattleyas may flourish in the jungles of India, Dendrobiums on the Amazons, Phalœnopsis in the coast lands of Central America. ”

“ Catasetum.—The Catasetums are curious, epiphytal Orchids, which should be grown in baskets, or Orchid pans, suspended in the intermediate house, and treated in a similar manner to the deciduous Dendrobiums. They require a long, dry rest after the growths are completed. All the species are worthy of cultivation, C. Bungerothii, C. splendens, and C. macrocarpa being the more showy kinds.
Cattleya.—One of the largest, most varied, and florally beautiful genera of Orchids. The plants should be potted as recommended for epiphytal Orchids, and they should be grown in the intermediate house. ”

“ Berkeley the communication of a capitulum of a species of Bidens, in which there was a transition from the form of ligulate corollas to those that were deeply divided into three, four, or five oblong lobes. These then were instances of regular peloria.
Fig. 121.—Flower of Cattleya marginata. Lip replaced by a flat petal.
In Orchidaceæ a similar change is not by any means infrequent; in a few, indeed, a regular flower is the normal [Pg 224] character, as in Dendrobium normale, Oncidium heteranthum, Thelymitra, etc. Fig. 121, reduced from a cut in the 'Gardeners' Chronicle,' 1854, p. ”