MASDEVALLIA IGNEA.
[[Plate 62].]
Native of New Grenada.
Epiphytal. Stems slender, erect, tufted. Leaves evergreen, coriaceous, six to eight inches long, the blade deep green, elliptic-oblong, blunt or notched at the apex, keeled behind, and narrowed below into a long slender channelled petiole, which is invested at the base by one or two membranous sheaths. Scapes slender, radical, ten to twelve inches long, invested at the base by sheaths, and having a sheathing bract beneath the blossom like those of the leaves. Flowers remarkable in form, and brilliant in colour, paler on the outer surface; dorsal sepal keeled, attenuate or subfiliform from a triangular base, bent down between the two lateral sepals so as to occupy the sinus, pale orange-red; lateral sepals connate below, elliptic-oblong, acute or apiculate, obliquely incurved, of a vivid cinnabar-red or glowing orange-scarlet, with three deeper red nerves; all united at the base into an incurved gibbous tube; petals white, small, included, ligulate, acute, hastately auricled at the base in front; lip white, small, enclosed, unguiculate, linguiform, subcordate at the base, crenulate in front. Column erect, wingless.
Masdevallia ignea, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, 1871, 1482; Hooker fil., Botanical Magazine, t. 5962; Moore, Florist and Pomologist, 1873, 169, with coloured plate; André, Illustration Horticole, t. 333; Gardeners’ Chronicle, 1872, 545, fig. 149; Floral Magazine, 2 ser., t. 15.
This is a most distinct species of Masdevallia, and one that should be welcomed wherever richly coloured flowers are required, whether it be for exhibition purposes, or as a distinct companion to the other fine members of this genus. For the supply of cut flowers it will be found invaluable, on account of its distinct glowing colour. There are a great many varieties among the species of this genus—some of which are infinitely superior to the one here figured, and the most select and distinct of which we hope to be able to illustrate at a future time. We find upon reference to those publications wherein the various Masdevallias have been figured, that the several artists have done but scant justice to their remarkable beauty, owing, we suppose, to the frequent want of the pigments necessary to represent truthfully their rich colouring and markings. We refer here more particularly to that section of the genus represented by M. Harryana. Since the publication of some of those plates, however, the chemist has had the good fortune to discover the two lovely colours, magenta and mauve, by the aid of which we are now enabled to pourtray more accurately than before these wonderful productions of nature, the Orchids, in which the two colours referred to largely preponderate.
Masdevallia ignea is a dwarf growing evergreen species, producing its flowers singly on erect growing peduncles during the summer months, and lasting for some weeks in perfection. It was introduced from New Grenada in 1870. Our plate was taken from a well-grown plant flowered in the fine collection of C. Dorman, Esq., The Firs, Lawrie Park, Sydenham, under the care of Mr. Coningsby.
The Masdevallias require a copious supply of water all the year round, but more particularly when they are making young growths; abundance of air and efficient shade, with a temperature varying from 45° to 50°, are also necessary to their free development. The treatment is more fully explained under [Plate 24].
These plants are subject to the attacks both of the thrips and the green fly, which should be vigorously pursued and destroyed. Should they become numerous, the plants should be carefully fumigated, say two or three times a week, until the pests are annihilated. When the smoke is applied, care should be taken to have the plants dry, and to remove those which are in bud or in flower. Propagation is effected by division just before the plants begin to grow.
Edinburgh International Horticultural Exhibition, September, 1882.—There were many Orchids at this Show, which, we think, our readers will be pleased to see noticed, especially as it was late in the season for Orchids to be in bloom. There were many fine specimen plants shown in the various classes. A. Paul, Esq., exhibited a fine plant of Cattleya Harrisonii, with thirteen spikes of its delicate-coloured blossoms; also the lovely and rare Lælia Turnerii, with its rich-coloured flowers, eight on each spike; and a fine specimen of Saccolabium, quite distinct in character, with a very large and long spike of flowers; the same plant last year produced four spikes, each nearly two feet in length, and is itself eighteen inches in height, and two feet across; the showy Odontoglossum grande was very finely shown, also Vanda suavis. W. McDonald, Esq., of Perth, had some fine plants; we noticed a well-cultivated Cattleya crispa superba, with fine spikes of flowers; also, Odontoglossum grande, with seven spikes of bloom; this is one of the most showy and best of Orchids at this time of the year. The same grower also exhibited a good specimen of O. Pescatorei, and the rare Cattleya exoniensis, which was in fine colour. From C. Walker, Esq., of Brettagh Holt, came some fine plants of Odontoglossum grande. The most extraordinary specimen was Renanthera coccinea, which was exhibited by Mrs. Tait, Milrig, Galston; it stood five feet in height, with four of its richly-coloured spikes of blossom, one of which bore about one hundred expanded flowers; it was a most gorgeous sight, especially as it bloomed in such a small state, for the plant, as a rule, makes a long growth before it commences flowering. Dr. Paterson, of the Bridge of Allan, exhibited a most charming variety of Cattleya Dowiana; and J. Douglas, Esq., of Dalkeith, showed a fine form of Cattleya gigas. Our limited space will not permit us to say more.—B. S. W.
