PL. 102. PLEIONE HUMILIS TRICOLOR.
PLEIONE HUMILIS TRICOLOR.
[[Plate 102].]
Native of the Indian Alps.
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs lagæniform or bottle-shaped, that is, ovate with the neck narrowed, at the flowering period leafless. Leaves produced subsequently to the flowers, oblong-oblanceolate, five-nerved, membranaceo-herbaceous, of a dark green colour, paler beneath, the base enclosed in a tubular sheath. Peduncles short, one-flowered, furnished with sheathing bracts, the upper of which is oblong-lanceolate, petaloid, longer than the ovary, and becoming at length contracted, leaving the peduncle exposed. Flowers proportionately large, showy, four inches across and three inches deep, produced before the leaves are developed; sepals narrow-lanceolate, spreading, and of a delicate blush or pale rosy purple tint; petals similar in form and colour, recurved; lip large, obovate, emarginate, closely frilled at the edge, and distinctly fringed with long hair-like teeth, sulphur-yellow, the central portion having about six longitudinal fimbriated veins, alternating with a corresponding number of pale tawny brown lines, the broad margin wavered by irregular divergent bars and blotches of the same colour. Column free, erect, winged.
Pleione humilis tricolor, Reichenbach fil. MS.
Pleione is a small genus, an offshoot of Cælogyne, distinguished, perhaps, mainly by habit, which we are pleased to bring before our readers, since the species form a charming group of dwarf-growing free-blooming plants, easy of cultivation, and blossoming at a time—autumn and winter—when flowers are most useful. They may, indeed, be grown on a shelf in any warm house. Several of them are very beautiful in colour, such as P. Wallichiana, which is of a deep rose; P. Reichenbachiana, lilac-purple and magenta; P. maculata, white and crimson; P. lagenaria, mauve and white; besides which there are several others of almost equal beauty. In those we have here mentioned, however, we get a charming contrast, and they flower about the same time. In their native country the Pleiones are called Indian Crocuses, a very appropriate name for them, as they are low-growing and destitute of leaves when flowering. In our houses this apparent defect can be met by intermixing them amongst Ferns, setting their flowers just above, and the Ferns as a carpet or border for them. The variety of P. humilis, figured in the accompanying plate, is a most beautiful one, which was bloomed at the Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, and was named by Professor Reichenbach. It is quite distinct from those already mentioned, and it blooms very freely in winter, which makes it a desirable plant for cultivation.
Pleione humilis tricolor is of dwarf deciduous habit, with dark green foliage, attaining about six inches high, which is cast off after the growth is completed: these leaves have about five principal nerves, with five intermediate ones extending from the base to the apex. The flowers proceed from the base of the curious flask-shaped pseudobulbs, and grow on scapes about three inches high, the flowers being large in proportion to their stature. The sepals and petals are of a pale rose colour, while the lip is pale yellow, distinctly spotted with dull brownish orange. The blossoms are produced during January and February, and last about two or three weeks in beauty. This plant is best grown in a pot with good drainage, of which, in the first place, the pots should be half filled; then mix some good fibrous loam and peat, with a little sphagnum moss and sand, and use this as a compost. They must have a good supply of water during the growing season, but when the pseudobulbs have matured their growth, they must be kept nearly dry until they show signs of flowering, when a little moisture will help them to swell. After the blossoms have faded, they require potting into fresh material, when they will soon begin to grow, and send new roots into the fresh soil. We always pot them afresh every year, since they lose all their roots. If requisite, several bulbs may be placed in a pot on the top of the soil. They must never be over-potted, indeed, we think they look better in small pots.
All the kinds we have mentioned require the same treatment, and will do well in a cool part of the East India house. We grow them in the Cattleya house, but they must be near the glass, and shaded from the bright sun, which soon affects their foliage, and if this happens, the bulbs will not be so plump and vigorous, and the result will be that the flowers will not be either so fine, or so numerous, or so well-coloured.
Vanda teres.—We recently received from J. Broome, Esq., Wood Lawn, Didsbury, Manchester, some fine spikes of blossoms of this most beautiful Vanda, and were surprised to hear that the plant had borne over two hundred and fifty flowers. What a glorious spectacle! On one of the spikes there were five of these charming flowers, each measuring three inches across. We saw this plant last year, and a most wonderful old specimen it is. It is trained cylindrically, and forms a grand massive plant, curious, withal, on account of its terete dark green climbing stems, thinly clothed with leaves, which are also terete, and of the same colour. No doubt it is one of the most distinct-looking of Orchids, and one, moreover, that few growers succeed in flowering well. It requires to be grown vigorously, with all the light that can be given to it in the growing season, during which period it should be well supplied with moisture. When at rest in winter it should have very little water, but should receive all the light and sun that can be secured for it, in order to cause the stems to ripen. When it shows signs of flowering, water may be supplied in order to induce the plant to throw out its flower-spikes more freely and with greater vigour.—B. S. W.
