Watering Orchids.—We have found rain-water to be the best for Orchids and for all kinds of plants, this being the water supplied in their natural habitats. Rain-water is easily to be obtained, by providing tanks under the stages, and allowing the rain-water to enter from the roof; in this way no room is lost. A pump should be attached, in case the water gets low in dry weather, when it can be easily raised to the required height.
The plan we adopt is to have a deep cemented tank in the centre of the house, under the stage, so that the top may be open; this allows the water which is standing in the tank to become somewhat warmed by contact with the atmosphere of the house, which is very beneficial; in fact, Orchids should never be watered with water that has not had the chill taken off, as cold water, especially in winter time, causes spot, and may rot the growths and injure the roots. Into this tank the rain-water runs from the roof, and as we have the New River water laid on as well, when rain-water is scarce we fill up with this, and thereby have a mixture of rain and hard water.—B. S. W.
PL. 58. ODONTOGLOSSUM TRIUMPHANS.
ODONTOGLOSSUM TRIUMPHANS.
[[Plate 58].]
Native of New Grenada.
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs ovate oblong, two to three inches in length, furrowed when old, diphyllous. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, narrowed to the base. Scape arising from the base of the pseudobulbs, elongate, the inflorescence racemose, the flowers having longish internodes between them, and the pedicels each furnished with a small triangular bract at its base. Flowers large, handsomely spotted; sepals oblong acute, narrowed to the base, deep golden yellow, marked for three-fourths of their length with transverse spots and blotches of rich brownish crimson; petals similar in form and colour, somewhat broader, the margins lobulate or sinuate-dentate; lip clawed, the limb fiddle-shaped, apiculate, with the point recurved, the margin denticulate, the basal half white with yellow crests, and the anterior portion of a rich brownish crimson, narrowly edged with yellow, the claw bicarinate, the keel running out into crests on the disk, with a pair of larger falcate crests interposed. Column white, semi-terete, curved at the tip, with a rhombic minutely erose wing.
Odontoglossum triumphans, Reichenbach fil., Bonplandia, ii., 99; Id., Pescatorea, t. 46 (less densely blotched, and lip tipped with rosy purple); Lemaire, Illustration Horticole, t. 609 (as in Pescatorea); Bateman, Monograph of Odontoglossum, t. 23; Williams, Orchid Grower’s Manual, 5 ed., 245.
The varied phases of beauty which are met with in the genus Odontoglossum are quite overwhelming; indeed so many of the species are really fine plants that to describe and illustrate all that are deserving would alone be a heavy task. We have now, at least, before us a species of the O. luteo-purpureum group which is quite distinct, O. triumphans, which we may observe is one of the most useful to cultivators, since it mixes up so well and forms so fine a contrast in colour with the forms of the O. Alexandræ type. The particular variety we now illustrate, and which is a very remarkable one, was kindly sent us by E. Wright, Esq., Gravelly Hill, Birmingham, who has been cultivating Orchids for many years, and who has also sent us blossoms of many other beautiful species. The spike of O. triumphans here represented was, it will be seen, a very fine one, having splendidly marked and showy flowers. There are many varieties of this species, some of them being lighter in colour than others; in fact there is an almost endless variation among the imported plants owing no doubt to the chance intercrossing of the parents, which has been effected by insects in their native country, where so many of them are found in contiguous spots. Our home cultivators too are taking a hint from the insect world, and doing much service to floriculture by hybridising some of the choicest forms of Orchids with remarkably good results. We hope their success will encourage them to continue their pleasing and profitable work.
Odontoglossum triumphans is an evergreen plant, with pseudobulbs from two to three inches in height, and foliage of a light green colour, growing about twelve inches high. The flower-spikes are produced after the plant has completed its growth; in some of the varieties these grow two or three feet in length, with many flowers developed upon them. The sepals and petals are of a golden yellow, barred with brownish crimson; the lip is white at the base, its front portion having a large irregular blotch of brownish crimson. It generally blooms during the spring and winter months, and lasts for six or more weeks in beauty. This is a most useful feature in the Odontoglots, as they can be used for decorative purposes, and can be removed into living rooms without any injury to the plant or flowers if due care be taken—that is to say, the heat need not be higher than from 45° to 50°, they must not be placed near gas, and the roots must be occasionally moistened.
As an example of the power of endurance possessed by these plants we may mention that we took a plant packed in a box with other specimens to America, and showed it at the Philadelphia Exhibition, where the Odontoglot lasted some time in full beauty. We also took many other Orchids in bud, and they flowered after their arrival, much to the astonishment of the American cultivators. Mr. R. Warner carried an Odontoglossum in full bloom to the St. Petersburgh Exhibition, and afterwards, while still in blossom, showed it in London. We mention these facts to show what may be done with these beautiful flowers.