Dendrobium bigibbum, the subject of our plate, is a species of a remarkably beautiful and showy character, which, until within the last few years, has been somewhat rare. In 1876, however, we received a large consignment from our collector, Mr. Goldie, who was then on his way to New Guinea, and who met with it growing on an island in Torres Straits, it having hitherto, we believe, been found only on the mainland of Australia. These plants were very fine, some of the specimens being of enormous dimensions, with stems quite two feet long, and from one and a-half to two inches in circumference. The specimens from which our figure of one of the most charming forms of this species which we have yet seen, was prepared, were kindly sent to us from the fine collection of the Marquess of Lothian, at Newbattle Abbey. Dalkeith, where it bloomed in September last in full beauty, amongst many other notable Orchids which are well cultivated by the intelligent gardener, Mr. Priest, who takes great delight in the careful management of his plants.
This species of Dendrobium is partially deciduous, the fully ripened stems sometimes losing the whole of their foliage, while the young growths retain their leaves until the following year. It grows from one to two feet in height, and produces its racemes of flowers sometimes from the top of the young growths, and sometimes from the old stems, in the latter case often bearing many spikes on the same stem. The flowers are of a rich rosy purple, and last in perfection for a considerable period. It is a most useful subject for associating with a button-hole bouquet, single flowers being shown off to great advantage by placing a light-looking fern frond behind them. The racemes of flowers last a long time after being cut if placed in water, and are most useful in all floral decorations. By growing several plants, successional blooms may be had at different periods.
This Tropical Australian species is best grown in a warm house, as the plants require a good amount of heat—70° to 80° while growing—and plenty of light, but the burning rays of the sun must be kept from them. They thrive best when planted in pans or baskets amongst rough fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, and suspended from the roof of the Orchid house. During the summer season they require a liberal supply of water, but in winter should have only sufficient to keep the stems plump. The plant will also succeed on blocks of wood, but, if grown in this way, it will in hot weather need watering twice a day, and once a day at other times. Some cultivators have been unsuccessful with this species, but we have found it to thrive well in a house where Crotons, Dipladenias, Stephanotis, etc., are grown; the Dendrobes seem to enjoy the moisture transmitted to them by the stove plants which are generally syringed in warm weather, and the dew arising from this operation appears to suit the Orchid. The syringe is also useful in subduing the red spider, which will sometimes attack the young growth. Insects often infest those kinds of Dendrobium that are grown in strong heat, but they must by this and other means be kept under.
Such treatment suits almost all the popular Dendrobes, namely, D. Devonianum, D. Wardianum superbum, D. chrysanthum, D. superbum (macrophyllum), D. crassinode, etc.; and the plants are found to be much stronger by reason of hanging near the glass well exposed to light, in which position they can be syringed on warm days—this moistening not only invigorating their growth, but being also a means of keeping insects under control.
PL. 39. PHALÆNOPSIS STUARTIANA NOBILIS.
PHALÆNOPSIS STUARTIANA NOBILIS.
[[Plate 39].]
Native of the East.
Epiphytal. Acaulescent, the plants clinging to their supports by stout flattened roots. Leaves coriaceous, distichous, ligulate-oblong, acute, channelled, equitant at the base, the upper surface marbled with transverse grey blotches which disappear with age, the under surface purplish red, similar in size to those of Phalænopsis Schilleriana. Scape radical, bearing a many-flowered (120 or more) branching panicle of very handsomely and peculiarly spotted blossoms. Flowers nearly three inches across, expanded, cream-coloured at first, becoming white; sepals oblong, or ovate-oblong, about an inch in length, the dorsal one white, the lateral ones white along the upper side, the lower side being yellow thickly spotted with cinnamon-red; petals much broader, narrowed near the base, white; lip three-lobed, with a four-horned yellow callosity at its base, the lateral lobes oblong, rounded, the middle lobe oval, with an anchor-like extremity, the apex terminating in a pair of narrow recurved laciniæ, all the lobes yellow at the base, white upwards and handsomely spotted with rich cinnamon-red. Column clavate, white.
Phalænopsis Stuartiana, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S. xvi., 748, 753, fig. 149; Moore, Florist and Pomologist, 1882, 49, t. 559.
Var. NOBILIS; flowers larger in all their parts, marked with fewer and larger spots; front lobe of the lip rhombic.
Phalænopsis Stuartiana var. NOBILIS, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S. xvi., 748.
There can be no doubt that the species of Phalænopsis rank amongst our finest Orchids, on account of the purity and soft tinting of their blossoms and the profusion in which they are produced. Unfortunately, at present, we only possess a limited number of them. During the last few years, indeed, many new kinds, which are giving a fresh interest to the genus, have been introduced by our collectors; and, although it is barely possible that any new introduction should surpass the old species, yet it is gratifying to know that there are yet to be found distinct and novel kinds of great beauty. P. Stuartiana, which we now bring under the notice of our readers, is a very fine and well-marked species, recently imported from the East by Messrs. Low & Co., of Upper Clapton, and named by Professor Reichenbach in honour of Mr. Stuart Low, who is one of the largest importers of this class of Orchids. Our plate, which represents the variety called P. Stuartiana nobilis, was sketched from a plant now in the fine collection of William Lee, Esq., of Downside, Leatherhead, who purchased it when in full beauty from the Messrs. Low, and we have to thank Mr. Lee for his kindness in allowing the drawing to be made. It is to be hoped that collectors may find more of it in its native country, although we believe it to be very rare, and, like many other recent discoveries to be probably a natural hybrid produced by insect fertilisation. We have no doubt that there are yet many fine forms of Phalænopsis; and if we could but obtain the scarlet one, which some years ago was reported to have been seen by a collector who was not able to bring it home, what a grand acquisition that would be!