Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs ovate-oblong, compressed, light green, diphyllous. Leaves ligulate-oblong, striate, somewhat carinate beneath, of a cheerful green colour. Scape radical, erect, bearing a five to eight flowered raceme, each of the pedicels having at its base a whitish glumaceous triangular bract about half as long as the ovary. Flowers large and showy, with a broad flat white lip; sepals oblong-lanceolate, narrowed to the base, of a deep chocolate-purple with a yellowish green tip on which is a dark spot, the margins undulated, the lateral ones connate at the base; petals similar in form, size, and colour; lip white, with a pink tinge, and one or two chocolate spots near the base, wedge-shaped, with a narrow claw-like base and a broad flat anterior expanded portion, somewhat repand on the margin, and furnished on the disk with two raised plates or lamellæ. Column short, creamy white, bidentate on the middle portion, the anther-bed cucullate, membranaceous, denticulate, retuse.
Miltonia cuneata, Lindley, Botanical Register, 1844, misc. 28; 1845, t. 8; Id., Folia Orchidacea, art. Miltonia, No. 8; Reichenbach fil., Xenia Orchidacea, i. 131; Moore, Illustrations of Orchidaceous Plants, art. Miltonia, 7 t. 2; Lemaire, L’Illustration Horticole, t. 237; Williams, Orchid Grower’s Manual, 5 ed., 223.
Miltonia speciosa, Klotzsch, in Otto and Dietrich’s Allgemeine Gartenzeitung, xvii. 129.
Oncidium speciosum, Reichenbach fil., MSS.; Id., Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ, vi. 761.
This genus of Orchids is not a very extensive one, but among the species which are known there are some beautiful plants of distinct and striking character. The species which we now represent is a very pretty one, which we are pleased to have the opportunity of introducing to the notice of our readers. The specimen figured was grown in the fine collection of W. Cobb, Esq., of Sydenham, who is a great lover of Orchids, and makes it a study to procure the best kinds and cultivate them in the best possible manner.
Miltonia cuneata was introduced by the Messrs. Rollisson, of Tooting, about the year 1843, and first flowered with them in the spring of 1844. It is a free-growing plant, with light green foliage, which grows about a foot in height, and produces its flowers in erect racemes, seven or often more together. The sepals and petals are chestnut-brown, tipped with greenish yellow, and the lip is broad and of a creamy white colour. The flowers are produced in February and March, and last for several weeks in beauty.
This Miltonia requires the heat of the Cattleya house, and thrives in good fibrous peat; it must be well drained in order that the superfluous moisture may pass off, as the plant dislikes stagnant water about the roots. In the growing season a moderate supply of water may be given at the roots, but less will suffice when the growth is completed. We find the Miltonias to require more shade than most Orchids. Their leaves are thin in texture, and consequently are soon injured, which makes it necessary to pay strict attention to the requirements of the plants, as while too much sun would dry up the foliage, too much moisture about it would cause it to go spotted.
They are propagated by dividing the bulbs, leaving two old ones and a growth in front. These divided portions should be potted in small pots until they get well established, and always at all times be kept free from insects. The white scale will sometimes attack them, and do much injury if not promptly removed.
Lælia elegans prasiata.—From E. Harvey, Esq., Aigburth, Liverpool, comes a spike of a grand form of this fine Lælia. The flowers are six inches across, the sepals and petals purplish rose, the lip rich magenta. This is quite a distinct form, and worthy of a place in every collection. Accompanying this was a spike of Scuticaria Hadweni, var. pardalina, described some time ago in the Gardeners’ Chronicle.—B. S. W.
Dendrobium nobile (three-lipped).—Mr. Knight, Gardener to the Right Hon. W. H. Smith, M.P., Greenlands, Henley-on-Thames, sends us a curious form of this grand old Orchid, with three lips, two of the lips taking the place of the petals of the normal flowers, and being marked and coloured in a similar manner to the ordinary lip. In addition, the flower was deliciously scented. We do not suppose that this variation will be constant, being more probably a malformation.—B. S. W.