ORCHID HYBRIDS
It is impossible to enumerate the immense number of home-raised hybrids in the scope of this book. It must therefore suffice to name some of the principal genera which have been crossed, and a few of the best hybrids, from the garden point of view.
Too much cannot be said for the absorbing interest of raising hybrid Orchids, which is referred to at length on p. 67.
Brassavola Digbyana has been one of the most satisfactory parents, crossing readily with Cattleya and Lælia, and imparting to the hybrids its large flowers and fringed lip. B. glauca has also been useful. Brasso-Cattleya Digbyano-Mossiæ, "Westonbirt Variety," is illustrated in [Plate V].
Calanthes have been wonderfully improved, so far as the deciduous, winter-flowering kinds are concerned, by intercrossing, commencing with C. Veitchii (rosea × vestita) and now including all shades from pure white to blood-red.
Cattleya, Lælia, Sophronitis, and Brassavola have produced by intercrossing numerous showy garden plants, some of them, as for example C. Iris (C. bicolor × C. Dowiana) and Lælio-Cattleya callistoglossa (C. Warscewiczii × L. purpurata), exhibiting great variation in the colour of their beautiful flowers.
Cymbidium has been enriched by the hybridist, the section Cyperorchis being merged in true Cymbidium. Cymbidium Lowio-eburneum is illustrated in [Plate VI].
Dendrobium hybrids are among the most numerous and useful as decorative flowers.
Epidendrum has produced some satisfactory results, including E. O'Brienianum and Epiphronitis Veitchii (Sophronitis grandiflora × Epidendrum radicans).
Cypripedium has been so prolific that there are amateurs who cultivate them either exclusively or give the greater part of their accommodation to the genus and its hybrids, which may be numbered by the hundred.
Species of Masdevallia, Odontoglossum, Lycaste, Phaius, and Zygopetalum have all been intercrossed, and the number of possible combinations admits of incalculable development, especially as the crossing is not confined to the same genus. Plants of distinct genera have been crossed with each other, and in many cases the results have been unexpectedly good, as for example the pretty, scarlet Cochlioda Noezliana, which has been crossed successfully with several genera. Such facts as these seem to indicate that there are but few combinations amongst the genera of Orchideæ cross-breeders may not attempt with a reasonable hope of success.