PL. 54. CŒLOGYNE CRISTATA ALBA.
CŒLOGYNE CRISTATA ALBA.
[[Plate 54].]
Native of India.
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs oblong, becoming somewhat angulate, growing from a thick scaly rhizome, diphyllous. Leaves linear-lanceolate, somewhat flaccid. Scape radical, erect, bearing a drooping raceme of three to five flowers, furnished at the base with dry brown imbricated scales; bracts oblong, persistent, sheathing the stalked ovaries. Flowers large, fragrant, about four inches in diameter; sepals oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, undulate, white; petals similar to the sepals in form and colour; lip three-lobed, concave, everywhere pure white, the lateral lobes half oblong, truncate at the upper end, and somewhat broader than the small middle lobe, which is transversely roundish and obtusely dentate; on the disk are five parallel veins or lamellæ covered by delicate fringes, which are also white, the three central ones having a wavy plate at their base, while in front of the two which stand on each side the middle vein is a solid plate terminating abruptly.
Cœlogyne cristata alba, Hort.; Moore, in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xv., 442; Id., N.S., xv., 511; Id., N.S., xvii., 153.
Cœlogyne cristata hololeuca, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xv., 563; Bull, Catalogue of New Plants, 1882, 100.
All Orchidists know well the old type of Cœlogyne cristata, which has been in cultivation for many years, and which is one of the most useful plants we have for winter decoration. In the novelty we now introduce we have a pure white form of this plant, which is a most charming addition to our collections, and which will assuredly be sought after by all Orchid growers. We are indebted to the kindness of Mr. W. Bull, of the King’s Road, Chelsea, for the opportunity of figuring this choice variety. It was first made known last year at the Regent’s Park Spring Exhibition, by Mr. J. D. Richards, gardener to T. A. Titley, Esq., Gledhaw, Leeds, who obtained for it a well merited First Class Certificate, and shortly after the plant passed into the hands of Mr. Bull, who gained another Certificate with it at South Kensington, and has the honour of having introduced to the public a most lovely novelty. The variety is extremely rare, Mr. Bull having only a very limited number of plants. As will be seen from our plate it will make a most useful plant for cutting, since pure white flowers are so highly appreciated for bouquets and other decorative purposes.
The new variety is in all respects similar to the type, save in the absence of the yellow blotch upon the lip. It is a compact-growing evergreen plant, attaining the same dimensions as regards foliage and bulbs as Cœlogyne cristata itself, and producing its pure white spotless flowers in the same manner, four or five together on a drooping spike; it blossoms during the winter and spring, and lasts for two or three weeks in beauty if the flowers are kept dry. It is both a free-growing and a free-blooming plant, and will no doubt thrive either in the Odontoglossum or Cattleya house. If cultivated in a cool house we should recommend that the plants be taken into a warmer structure when they begin to show flower. We have always found C. cristata to be greatly benefited by this treatment, as the spikes are apt to damp off in too cool an atmosphere; moreover, on account of their pure white colour they seem to absorb the cold damp more quickly and readily than many other flowers, and this of course soon disfigures them.
We have found good fibrous peat the best material in which to grow Cœlogyne cristata, and no doubt the variety we now figure will require the same treatment, as the two forms are found growing together in their native country. Pot culture will suit them best, as they require a good amount of water at their roots during their growing season, which can thus be secured. After the growth is completed less water will suffice, but they must always be kept so far moist at the root that their bulbs may remain in a plump firm condition.
Orchids at Fallowfield.—In this, which is one of the noted collections near Manchester, Dendrobium Falconeri was the first plant that attracted attention; it is a choice kind, and there was a fine specimen of it with two hundred of its bright purple, white, and orange-coloured flowers in full beauty. This was an exceedingly well cultivated plant. Mr. Swan, the gardener, informs us that he has had this specimen for several years under cultivation, and that it improves each successive season, and has been several times exhibited at the Manchester Shows. We mention this in order that our readers may understand that this species can be cultivated successfully for years with proper treatment. We also noticed the charming Thunia Bensoniæ, with many spikes of its reddish purple flowers, some of the spikes producing as many as eighteen flowers on each spike. When grown in this way it forms a grand object of attraction, especially as we possess but few Orchids of the same colour. We also noticed some fine spikes of Oncidium macranthum, bearing its bright yellow flowers, and when grown among the plants of Odontoglossum Alexandræ, with their pure white blossoms, it produces with other flowers a good effect. We also saw in the East India house some fine plants of Aërides Lobbii finely in bloom, some of their racemes of bright coloured flowers being three feet in length and branched. A. crassifolium was in full beauty; it is one of the best of its family, and one that should be grown in every collection, as it occupies such a small space.—B. S. W.