Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs ovate obtuse, nearly two inches long, pea-green, compressed, diphyllous. Leaves oblong-ligulate, acute, channelled towards the base. Scape radical, produced in the axil of a leaf investing the base of the pseudobulb, and terminating in an erect many-flowered raceme, furnished with small ovate bracts at the base of the pedicels, and having a few more elongated bracts below. Flowers stellate, about three and a half inches across, handsomely spotted; sepals slightly wavy, lanceolate, attenuately acuminate, narrowed to the base, clear bright yellow, deeper at the tips, dotted all over with rather small brownish crimson spots, which are here and there somewhat larger, those towards the apical part being less crowded by the smaller spots, the dorsal sepal with three red lines at the base; petals similar in form and colour, the larger less crowded spots being more evident, and the base marked by three lines of red; lip ovate-lanceolate, about two-thirds the length of the sepals, attenuated at the apex, bright yellow, deeper at the base, where there are a few red streaks, and with a large brownish crimson blotch towards the front, and a few marginal spots, the disk appressed to the column at the base, and bearing a thick linear keel, which extends into two rhomboidal toothletted lamellæ. Column sulphur-yellow, with a few reddish-brown spots, and a pair of falcate subulate ears or wings at the apex.
Odontoglossum Leeanum, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xvii. 525; xix. 694.
This is one of the most distinct Odontoglots that has come under our notice; and its prettily-spotted flowers are so attractive that every grower will be anxious to procure it. We believe, however, that the plant from which our drawing was made, is the only one known at the present time. It is in the possession of W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, in whose honour it has been named, and who is very fortunate in being the possessor of such a gem. There is little doubt of its being a natural hybrid. The plant was imported along with many others, none of which, however, have produced flowers approaching it in beauty.
Odontoglossum Leeanum is of evergreen habit, with pseudobulbs about two inches high, of a pea-green colour. The leaves also are of a lively light green colour, and about ten inches in length. The sepals and petals are of a pale yellow margined with orange, and spotted with rich red-brown, the lip yellow, also spotted with the same colour. It blooms during the winter months, and lasts for several weeks in beauty, forming a most effective contrast to the white flowers of O. Alexandræ and O. Pescatorei. The plant requires the same treatment as the two species just named, and blooms in the same way.
We paid a visit to the Downside collection of Orchids in June of the present year, and were greatly surprised to see the progress that had been made as regards the erection of new houses for each section of Orchids, and the pains and trouble which had been taken to make each house complete as regards ventilation, stages, and tanks for the reception of rain-water; even the paths are made to do their part towards the growth of the plants, as well as to provide for the comfort of those who have to do the work, as well as of the visitors, who may walk on them without wetting their feet, a paving brick with a scored surface being used, so that the water thrown down remains in the depressions of the surface, and gives off by evaporation a continuous supply of moisture to the atmosphere, which is what the plants require in the summer season when in full growth.
There was one long house filled with Masdevallias in grand beauty—a glorious sight, embracing all the best species and varieties that can be procured. Close by was the Odontoglossum house, with the plants on the side tables one mass of bloom; and besides these, there was a fine lot of Odontoglots, including some good forms, blooming in full beauty, in another house. Here also was the finest Cattleya house we have yet seen, there being many hundreds of flowers, consisting of Cattleya Mossiæ, of which there were some of the grandest varieties we have met with; also some fine examples of C. Warnerii, rich in colour, intermixed with C. Mendelii in variety, C. gigas, with its bold richly coloured flowers, and many fine specimens of Lælia purpurata in full beauty. In the same house was a fine lot of specimen Vandas, placed on the centre table, they were in fine health, and with their graceful foliage towering above them, and their distinctly-coloured flowers, altogether formed a pleasing contrast to the Cattleyas.
The India house was gay with species of Aërides and Saccolabium, among which were some very rare ones, too numerous to mention. There was also a fine house devoted to Phalænopsis, as well as one for Dendrobes, many of which were in bloom. Next to these was a structure devoted to a good collection of Lycaste Skinneri, and other kinds that require the same treatment. Much credit is due to Mr. Lee’s gardener, Mr. Woolford, for the great interest he takes in maintaining the health of the plants under his care.
Mr. Percival’s Cattleyas.—We have received from R. P. Percival, Esq. of Southport, a box containing a fine series of Cattleya Mossiæ, C. Mendelii, &c. Mr. Percival informs us that he has now (June) as many as three hundred and thirty-six blossoms of C. Mossiæ open; and taking the flowers sent us as a sample, they are of a very fine strain, and must present a gorgeous coup d’œil in the Orchid house. Accompanying the Cattleyas was a grand spike of Odontoglossum vexillarium splendens, with very large flowers fine in form and deep in colour.—B. S. W.
