GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



OF AMERICA 



DEVOTED TO THE SCIENCE OF FLORICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE 



ADOPTED AS THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF 

 THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GARDENERS 



Vol. XVII ]. 



MAY, 1914. 



A Useful Collection of Spray Orchids 



By Wm. Turner. 



Is there any flowering plant more graceful or effective 

 than a collection of spray orchids? Indeed, it is the 

 spray orchid that gives the finished appearance to any 

 orchid group, particularly when the short stemmed 

 kinds are used liberally as companions to the tall, stately 

 sprays. When we realize the rich effect that can be 

 produced with a collection of those gems, it is no small 

 wonder they have jumped to the foremost rank in recent 

 years both as a choice cut flower, and for decorative 

 effects. None can deny as to their keeping qualities, 

 for they have no equal and as for their colors, combina- 

 tions and gracefulness, they are peerless. True, many of 

 the varieties are apt to wear out sooner than the cattleyas, 

 and no wonder, when we stop to consider the strain 

 many of those plants must be under in producing those 

 terrific spikes. I dare say there are manv that have 

 looked upon those little plants with wonderment, seeing 

 them produce spikes three and four feet in length. Still, 

 with good treatment and a good season of rest, they 

 may be kept in a healthy, vigorous condition for .several 

 \ears. I presume one of the best known species is 

 ( )ncidium \'aricosuni, and its variety Rogersii. In fact, 

 it is Rogersii that has given this Oncidium priority 

 over many of the others as the individual flowers are 

 nnich larger and of more substance. In their season of 

 growth they will thrive admirably in the cool end of the 

 Cattleya house ami if hung somewhere near the glass. 

 They seem to ajipreciate such treatment. Nor will they 

 thrive if placed in too large receptacles. Dendroliiuni 

 Phalaenopsis Schroderiana makes an admirable conipanion 

 to \'aricosum, coming in as they do around the same 

 time, although T do not think it wise to handle this variety 

 unless more heat can be given than just merely Cattleya 

 house temperature. While one may see them growing 

 in such a temperature they must be grown in a warmer, 

 closer atmosphere to produce strong, vigorous growths. 

 L'nquestionablv 1). I 'halaenopsis when well grown is one 

 of our very best an<l most useful orchids, either for cut 

 s]>rays or plant decoration ; and what a combination of 

 colors there are: one may look over a l)atch and hardly 

 find two alike. This orchid, like many others, keep in 

 as small a receptacle as possible, which is the key-note to 

 success to a certain extent. Neither do they care to have 

 their roots tampered with more than is absolutely neces- 

 sarv. But whoever has a house adapted for grovvini^ 

 this species which should be at least .^ or more degree^ 

 over a Cattleya bouse temperature will have one of the 

 most useful spray orchids that 1 am acquainted with. 



.\nother .Mexican fall or early winter llowering variety 

 is worthv of note for its free flowering (pialities and 



massive s])ikes. Although better results may be had by 

 growing this species in ;i trifle low er temperature and par- 

 ticularly so during their resting period, (). Tigrinum, 

 which is well known among all lovers of the orchid 

 family and may he relied on to make an imposing dis- 

 play during their season of flowering, I dare say 1 am 

 not over-stei)i)ing the mark when I say One. splendidum 

 stands out [ire-eminently as one of the very best for mid- 

 winter display, their stately spikes and massive, bold 

 flowers are apt to cause admiration during the winter 

 months. This Cjuatemalean variety will respond readily 

 to more heat than many of the Oncidium family, at the 

 same time with care and good judgment can be grown 

 \'ery successfully in a Cattleya house temperature pro- 

 viding they do not receive too much water at their roots. 

 11\ the wav. is their another orchid that will resent over- 



ONtlUIUM V.VRICOSrM KOf.KKSIl 



