LÆLIA ELEGANS ALBA.
[[Plate 30].]
Native of Brazil.
Epiphytal. Stems terete, somewhat club-shaped, about eighteen inches in height, the weaker ones bearing one, the stronger two, leaves at the apex. Leaves solitary or in pairs, ligulate-oblong, from six inches to a foot in length, very thick and leathery in texture, of a bright green colour. Scape two to three-flowered, issuing from a terminal oblong compressed bract, about three inches in length. Flowers white and crimson-purple, large and very handsome, about six inches in expansion; sepals oblong lanceolate, acute, plane, pure white; petals rather shorter than the sepals, broadly-lanceolate, undulated at the margins, pure white; lip three inches long, three-lobed, the lateral lobes rolled over the column, the front portion spreading, undulated, and marked within the edge with a blotch of crimson-purple, the middle lobe roundish, flabellately expanded, crispato-undulate, of a rich crimson-purple, the colour breaking out near the tip into crimson veins on a purplish ground, and extended into a claw-like base through the pale yellowish disk. Column about as long as the convolute base of the lip, enclosed.
Lælia elegans var. alba, Williams, Catalogue 1881, 68.
We have here one of the most beautiful of this charming class of Orchids, and one which no Orchid fancier can fail to admire. The showy blossoms of the forms of this species offer many shades of colour, those of the variety before us being exceedingly chaste and delicate. The accompanying figure is a good representation of this charming variety, and was prepared from a sketch of a well-grown specimen which bloomed in the fine collection of W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, under the care of Mr. Woolford, the gardener.
This Lælia grows about eighteen inches high; it is furnished with bold thick foliage of a pleasant green, and produces its blossoms in June and July, continuing for about three weeks in beauty. The sepals and petals are of a pure white, while the lip is of a rich magenta-crimson, the two colours making a well-marked and charming contrast. This delicately beautiful variety is extremely rare.
Lælia elegans alba is like the Cattleyas in its growth, with the exception of the stems being more slender, most of them producing two short leaves about six inches in length. The plants require the same temperature and the same material in which to grow as the allied Cattleyas, and also about the same amount of water during the growing season. The rest required is also the same as for Cattleyas. There are some of the species, such as L. albida, autumnalis, majalis, pumila, and others, which will thrive better in a cooler temperature. They are all subject to insects, which should be diligently looked after. White scale is sometimes troublesome, and if allowed to remain on them will disfigure the foliage by causing yellow spots. Thrips will also attack them, and increase very fast if they are not kept under by adopting the usual remedies.
Shading Orchids.—This is a subject of the greatest importance in Orchid culture, and one that is often overlooked until it is too late—the mischief being done. What is required is a strong durable material that will wear well, and, where rollers are used, stand the strain upon it. It must also be understood that shading does not consist of merely daubing upon the glass some opaque material, such as paint, summer cloud, whitening, or the like, which though all very well as palliatives in positions where rollers cannot be used, such as at the ends and sides of a house, are greatly to be deprecated as a shading for the roof, for this reason, that in our English climate we are so subject to sudden changes of the weather, that were such a permanent shading to be used, we should frequently, especially during dull weather, have our plants in comparative darkness when they should be getting all the light possible. This cannot fail to lead to bad results and produce a sickly growth. Some growers use thick canvas; indeed, we have done so ourselves many years ago, but, by experience, we have found out the ill effects of it, for when we employed this kind of shading, we found the plants under its influence became weak and sickly, producing small puny flower-spikes. A lighter shading was then employed, and the difference was marvellous; the plants assumed quite a different aspect. It was at this time that we were exhibiting at Chiswick the fine specimens of East Indian Orchids—Aërides, Saccolabiums, Vandas, Dendrobiums, and many others—such as we seldom see equalled now. Since then we have used thinner shadings, with the best results. Our Vandas thus treated have always been strong and healthy, with broader foliage, producing their flower-spikes as often as three times a year, with the flowers of a good colour, lasting a long time in perfection; in fact we are never without flower, always having a good display. We refer more particularly to the suavis and tricolor section of the genus. Some people imagine Vandas do not flower till they attain a large size, but such is not the case if they are properly grown, and thin shading is used. Our experience leads us to the belief that all Orchids, with a few exceptions, require a thin shading, that is to say, one that, while warding off the direct rays of the sun, will allow the light to enter through it. To arrive at this result we use a strong, durable, cotton netting, woven in small squares, close enough to exclude the rays of the sun, while the light penetrates it with but little interruption. This netting stands exposure to the weather much longer than canvas, and on that account is cheaper in the long run. We have used this material for some years; in the case of Cool Orchids, Mexican, and East Indian kinds, with the best results, the netting being attached to rollers with appropriate gear. For the cool Orchid houses we employ raised blinds, upon which we hope to speak further shortly. The blinds can be managed with but little trouble. In the winter we take them off the house and put them in a dry place until they are required again in the ensuing spring.—B. S. W.
PL. 31. CALANTHE VEITCHII.