HISTORY OF ORCHID HYBRIDISATION 



The year 1904 produced a sensational hybrid when the six-flowered 

 inflorescence of Odontioda X Vuylstekeas appeared at the Temple Show, 

 and received both a First-class Certificate and a Silver-gilt Lindley Medal. 

 It was raised by M. Charles Vuylsteke, of Ghent, from Cochlioda 

 Noetzliana and Odontoglossum nobile (Pescatorei), and is figured at page 281. 

 Other interesting hybrids of the year were the beautiful albino Cattleya 

 X Peetersiai, raised by M. Peeters, of Brussels, from C. Gaskelliana alba X 

 C. Warneri alba, Sophrocattleya X Doris, raised by Messrs. William Bull 

 & Sons, from S. grandiflora and C. Dowiana aurea, and S.-c. X Atreus, by 

 Messrs. Veitch, from S. grandiflora and C. Lawrenceana. 



In 1905 three new generic hybrids appeared. Dialselia X Veitchii was 

 raised by Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, from Diacrium bicornutum and 

 Lgelia cinnabarina, and received a Botanical Certificate from the Scientific 

 committee of the R.H.S. in the spring of the year. It was described as 

 most resembling the Diacrium in habit, as well as in the colour of the 

 flowers. 



Odontioda X Lairesseai was raised by M. A. de Lairesse, of Lie^e, 

 Belgium, from Odontoglossum crispum crossed with the pollen of Miltonia 

 Warscewiczii, and received an Award of Merit from the R.H.S. on July 

 20th, 1905. It is most like the pollen parent in habit, as well as in the 

 colour of the flowers, which, however, are larger and modified in shape. It 

 is figured on page 217. 



Epidiacrium X gattonense is a hybrid raised in the collection of 

 Jeremiah Colman, Esq., Gatton Park, Reigate, from Diacrium bicornutum 

 and Epidendrum radicans. It was described as most like a dwarf form of 

 the latter, and bearing a terminal head of reddish scarlet flowers. It was 

 exhibited without a name on May 9th, 1905. 



The genus Promensea was also added to the list in 1905, a seedlin"- from 

 P. stapleioides ? and P. xanthina ^ having flowered in the collection of 

 De Barri Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks, which received an Award 

 of Merit from the R.H.S. in May, 1905, under the name of P. x 

 Crawshayana. It is now believed to be a form of the natural hybrid P x 

 Rollissoni. 



The first two hybrids of Odontoglossum Edvvardii were also recorded, 

 namely O. X Lairessei, raised by M. A. de Lairesse, of Liege, from O. 

 Cervantesii 2 and O. Edwardii S , and O. X Thompsonianum, which 

 flowered in the collection of W. Thompson, Esq., of Stone, and received 

 a First-class Certificate from the R.H.S., from O. Edwardii ? and O. 

 crispum 3 . This, however, was raised in the collection of D. B. Rappart, 

 Esq., of Liscard. 



A handsome hybrid from O. Rossi crossed with the pollen of O. X 

 spectabile flowered in I905 with Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., and received 



