Dendrobium macrophyllum.—We have received two splendid spikes of this magnificent Dendrobe, with flowers of an unusually fine colour, from a well grown specimen, such as we might expect from so experienced a grower as Mr. Penny, of the Royal Gardens, Sandringham, who has been one of the most successful exhibitors of specimen Orchids at our London shows, where he has, with the large collections staged by him, carried off nearly all the leading prizes. We hope at some future period to be able to figure this fine Dendrobium, the sepals and petals of which are of a rose-magenta colour, and the lip of the same colour, with a purplish crimson throat. We received with the Dendrobe a fine spike of the white-lipped form of Odontoglossum Hallii in grand condition, the sepals and petals being of a very bright golden yellow with rich markings of a brownish crimson colour. This variety forms a splendid contrast with the white-flowered O. Alexandræ and O. Pescatorei, of which kinds there is a fine collection at Sandringham. The Prince of Wales is a great admirer of these as well as of other good Orchids.—B. S. W.
PL. 37. CYPRIPEDIUM CHLORONEURUM.
CYPRIPEDIUM CHLORONEURUM.
[[Plate 37].]
Garden Hybrid.
Epiphytal. Acaulescent. Leaves radical, distichous, coriaceous, oblong acute, closely tessellated with dark hieroglyphic markings on a light green ground, the under surface reddish purple. Scapes solitary in the central leaf-axils, pubescent, reddish purple, one-flowered, with a very short ovate bract. Flowers large, with expanded petals, rather attractive in colour; dorsal sepal broadly ovate, bright yellow-green with white margin, and a narrow purple central stripe, on each side of which are about four strongly marked dark green longitudinal veins, connected by finer transverse veins; lateral (connate) sepals small; petals oblong, broader upwards, two and a half inches long, and three-fourths of an inch wide, with green longitudinal veins, and a dark purple central line, on one side of which (the upper half) they are washed with wine-purple, and have a yellowish buff margin, and a few black warts near the base, where they are ciliated; on the other (lower) half very slightly tinted with purple, the cross veins more apparent, and the margin green; lip rather large, shortly pouch-shaped, heavily stained with wine-purple, and freely marked with bold reticulations of a darker purple, the upper angles yellowish at the margins. Staminode transversely reniform, pale green, with dark green feathery markings in front.
Cypripedium chloroneurum, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xiv., 525.
This is one of the most distinct of the new hybrid Lady’s Slippers that have been recently introduced to the notice of Orchid-growers; it will also be appreciated as one of the most useful, being of a neat free-growing and abundant-blooming habit of growth. The Cypripediums are everybody’s plants, that is to say, any one who has a place adapted for their cultivation can manage them without difficulty. Many growers make them their especial care and study, procuring every species and variety that can be obtained, and thus forming a very interesting and diverse group.
Our present subject was raised by Robert Warner, Esq., in whose collection at Broomfield it has been blooming very abundantly, and it was from Mr. Warner’s plant that our drawing was taken. The variety resembles the one figured on plate 36 in being of free-blooming habit, and also in being very attractive in regard to its foliage as well as its flowers. Many hybrid Cypripediums have been raised in this country of late years by the Messrs. Veitch and Sons, and also by other growers. Some of these have proved to be very beautiful and effective subjects, and no doubt there are others coming forward that have not yet bloomed. Many splendid novelties may yet be gained by crossing those kinds that have flowers of distinct forms and colours, and, as many of the varieties bloom simultaneously, the hybridiser will find abundant opportunities for carrying out his plans.
These plants appear to be easily raised from seeds, and to reach the flowering stage sooner than most other seedling Orchids.
Some of the Cypripediums thrive well in a cool house, and by fertilising these with the best of the stove species, a new set of cool-house forms would probably be obtained. Such a result would be one of considerable importance to Orchidists, as no doubt, if varieties of a different character to those we already possess could be obtained, some of our enthusiastic growers would take up their cultivation in good earnest. At present the majority of the Lady’s Slippers require a warm house.