COMPARETTIA MACROPLECTRON.
[[Plate 65].]
Native of New Grenada.
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs small, oblong, truncate, compressed or flattish, with the angles rounded, of a pinkish colour, monophyllous or sometimes a second leaf sheathing the bulb. Leaves oblong ligulate, acute, keeled, bright green, shining. Peduncles slender, drooping, lateral, sheathed at the base by ovate-lanceolate bracts, and bearing a secund raceme of flowers having minute scale-like bracts at the base of their inch-long pedicels. Flowers large, of a delicate rose colour, prettily spotted; dorsal sepal ligulate acute, umbonate at the back near the base; lateral sepals ligulate acute, fornicate, connate into a slender pointed spur two inches in length, all blush-white, thickly spotted with purple; petals cuneate-ovate acute, purplish rose, covered with deep rosy purple dots; lip with a pair of blunt-angled auricles at the base, and a linear keel-shaped claw, the anterior lobe subquadrate, an inch and a half broad, emarginate with an apiculus, of a pleasing delicate tint of soft magenta-rose, deeper near the claw, where it is marked by a few purple spots, the sides crenate or repand, the two included spurs of the lip elongate, and finely papulose, orange coloured in the inferior half. Column free, erect, with a perpendicular ridge in the middle of the stigmatic hollow.
Comparettia macroplectron, Reichenbach fil. et Triana, in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., x., 524; Id. xi. 398.
The Comparettias form a small genus of very dwarf-growing Orchids, some of the species of which are, not only very beautiful, but also free blooming. That which we now illustrate is a most charming plant. The original, from which the drawing was made, was sent to us by F. A. Philbrick, Esq., Q.C., of Oldfield, Bickley, and was a well-grown specimen, which did great credit to Mr. Heims, the gardener. Generally these plants have not been well managed, but latterly they appear to have been better looked after, and we have received, from Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P., and others, specimens of other desirable kinds, which we hope to illustrate in due course. We are glad to find that our collectors are turning their attention to the importation of the Comparettias, as there are some lovely species among them. Moreover, they require but little space to grow them in, and they are always charming when in blossom.
Comparettia macroplectron is an evergreen and very floriferous plant, with small peculiarly-shaped pseudobulbs, and short bright green glossy leaves. The flower-spikes are produced from the base of the pseudobulbs, and bear five or sometimes more flowers in a drooping raceme. The sepals and petals are rose colour, the former paler than the latter, and both are spotted with a deeper tint of rose-purple; the lip is also of a beautiful delicate rose colour, which becomes deeper and purple-spotted near the base. The flowers are produced in July and August, and continue in perfection for some time.
This plant will thrive either in a basket or pan suspended from the roof, where it can receive a great amount of light, and in order to grow it successfully this plan should be followed. The species, which are all small growing subjects, are found on the branches of trees where they obtain just sufficient shade to screen them from the burning sun, and where they also get heavy dews at night, and sometimes a great amount of rain. It is during this rainy period that they make their growth and produce their flower spikes. Both the foliage and bulbs being small, they require careful attention as regards moisture at the roots.
We find the most suitable material in which to grow them, is a little fibrous peat and sphagnum moss with good drainage, so that the water may pass away without becoming stagnant. Some portion of this material should be changed each year, just as the plant begins to show signs of making its growth.
The Comparettias will not submit to be divided or cut; and we find the Cattleya house the most suitable structure to grow them in. They are subject to the attacks of white scale, and if these are allowed to accumulate, the plants will soon show signs of bad health, but if sufficient care is bestowed to keep them clean they will well repay the trouble which is taken, and afford great pleasure not only to those who are fond of Orchids, but also to those who take an interest in watching these floral treasures as they put out their new growths and beautiful flowers.
Orchids at Brentham Park, Stirling.—A visit to this place, the residence of R. Smith, Esq., is at all times a great treat, since it commands a grand view of the country around, surrounded by the distant mountains. Our chief source of attraction, of course, was the Orchids, of which there is here the largest and richest collection in Scotland. There are many fine plants of Cattleya, such as C. exoniensis, the best variety, which, when in bloom, must present a most gorgeous sight. C. amethystoglossa is also a fine specimen, and is the same beautifully spotted variety which was figured in Warner’s Select Orchidaceous Plants. Cœlogyne Massangeana is a wonderful example of good cultivation, with its pendulous spikes overhanging the pot. So is Zygopetalum Gautieri, with many spikes of its charming mauve-coloured flowers; and Odontoglossum Andersonianum, with fine branching spikes, which must be very beautiful when in bloom. Associated with this was a very fine O. Alexandræ, quite one of the best spotted varieties we have seen, which Mr. Smith kindly sent for our artist to copy.