ORCHIDS 



ORCHIS 



2403 



Ophrys. Culture as for Habenaria. 



Palumbina. Closely allied to oncidium, and sometimes included. 

 Culture as for the intermediate house oncidiums. 



Paphinia. For culture, see Paphinia. 



Paphiopedalum. For culture, see Paphiopedalum and Cypri- 

 pedium. 



Peristeria. A tropical orchid requiring much the same treatment 

 as calanthe when growing, but the peristeria does not need such a 

 marked period of rest, as it is evergreen. It is terrestrial, requiring 

 a loam mixed with old manure, and liberial supplies of moisture. 

 If black-spot disease appears, it must be cut out at once and the 

 cavity filled with lime and sulfur. This disease seems to be com- 

 mon. The tall spikes of sweet-scented flowers, the center of which 

 resembles a dove, are much admired and last long in perfection. 



Pescatoria. Culture as for Zygopetalum. 



Phaius. Eastern tropical plants of great beauty, one of which 

 has become naturalized in the West Indies. Terrestrial in habit, 

 needing a soil composed largely of loam rich with humus, and liberal 

 feeding when in full growth. Propagated by division, after 

 flowering. 



Phalxnopsis. Tropical epiphytes needing the warmest tempera- 

 ture admitted in orchid-culture, which is a minimum of 65 in 

 winter and this in the coldest weather, and an atmosphere never 

 allowed to become arid or stagnant. At some seasons drip from 

 above easily proves fatal. Very little material is needed at the 

 roots, as they love to escape the receptacles when doing well and 

 hang pendent. Osmundine is the most suitable material to use as it 

 is lasting, but where sphagnum will live and keep green it is well to 

 use it as an index to the need of moisture. Many growers never 

 spray phalsenopsis overhead, water in the center of the plants often 

 causing decay, but in very hot weather this will evaporate by the 

 addition of air. Having no pseudobulbs, but a pair or more of large 

 leaves to support, the plants must never lack moisture. The flower- 

 ing period is mostly in winter or early spring and the beautiful 

 sprays of bloom are now a large item among growers for market 

 since the plants can be so readily obtained from the Philippines. 

 There is a tradition that phatenopsis do best near the coast. Cer- 

 tain it is, that California growers are having great success with 

 them. 



Pholidota. For culture, see Pholidota. 



Phragmipedilum. For culture, see Phragmipedilum. 



Physurus. From Colombia, but with foliage similar to the 

 anoectpchilus from the Malay Archipelago. Physurus grows at an 

 elevation of 5,000 to 6,000 feet and will thus be best treated in 

 the same house with the odontoglots. One species occurs in Peru. 



Platydin is. Warmhouse plants, all of which have fragrant flowers, 

 and are easy of culture. The best known is P. glumacea, but P. fli- 

 formis is sometimes seen. Easily grown in osmundine and propa- 

 gated by division. 



Pleione. A pretty genus of East Indian plants known there as 

 the crocus. Flowers mostly pink, and produced after the foliage 

 has died down. Best grown in shallow soil in pans, with treatment 

 as for calanthe. 



Pleurothallis. Small-growing plants of great interest botanically 

 but many have flowers that require the aid of a microscope to see 

 their beauty. Best grown in the cattleya house in shallow pans sus- 

 pended near the glass. They need moisture at all times but very 

 little material at the roots. In summer the plants may be placed 

 with the masdevallias, at the warm end of the odontoglossum house. 



Pogonia. Hardy orchids found in wet soil with very showy 

 flowers, but difficult to transplant unless plenty of earth is taken 

 with the roots. 



Polystachya. A tropical African genus, rare in cultivation. 



Promensea. Culture as for Zygopetalum. 



Renanthera. Culture as for Vanilla. 



Restrepia. For culture, see Restrepia. 



Rhynchostylis. Culture as for Saccolabium. 



Rodriguezia. For culture, see Rodriguezia. 



Saccolabium. Culture as for Aerides. See also under Sacco- 

 labium. 



Sarcanthus. For culture, see Sarcanthus. 



Sarcopodium. A genus separated from Dendrobium and Bulbo- 

 phyllum, and requiring treatment similar to that of Dendrobium. 



Scaphosepalum. For culture, see Scaphosepalum. 



Schomburgkia. Culture same as cattleya, but requires to be well 

 ripened by exposure to more sun, especially in winter, to induce 

 flowering. The plants are seldom seen, as they are large, and the 

 flowers inconspicuous by comparison with other orchids, borne on 

 stems sometimes several feet long. 



Scuticaria. For culture, see Scuticaria. 



Serapias. For culture, see Serapias. 



Sobralia. A group of reed-like plants, flowering at the end of 

 new shoots, several large cattleya-like flowers coming in succession, 

 but, these being short-lived, are of no value commercially, but are 

 interesting plants in a collection. Specimens may be grown to a 

 large size and the plants do not deteriorate. Many hybrids have 

 been raised, but are seldom seen in gardens. Propagation by divi- 

 sion usually, and a soil as named for coelogyne. 



Sophrcmitis. A brilliant-colored little orchid, an alpine plant. 

 Easy of culture in shallow pans suspended near the roof. S. grandi- 

 flora is the best known, and has been much prized for imparting its 

 color to the larger cattleyas and laelias. At least one hybrid has 

 been raised here, and many more in Europe and Britain. The color 

 is usually equally brilliant in secondary crosses. Does best in the 

 cattleya house and should never become dry at the roots or the 

 plants will suffer. 



Spathoglottis. For culture, see Spathoglottis. 



Spiranthes. Hardy native orchids popularly known as "ladies' 

 tresses." Easily transplanted, but seem to flower biennially, late 

 in summer and early autumn. 



Stanhopea. Treatment similar to gongora with similar pendent 

 flower-spikes through the bottom of basket. Flowers very sti iking 

 in color and odor, but do not last long. 



Stenorynchus. Tropical plants allied to Spiranthes, with varie- 

 gated leaves and colored flower-stems. Treatment same as for 

 Paphiopedilum. 



Thunia. Tall-growing bamboo-like stems with clusters of flowers 

 at the top. Very attractive but not often seen owing to the attacks 

 of red-spider on the thin foliage. After flowering, the plants need 

 resting, being kept dry but in a warm house, until growth starts 

 again. Propagation is by cutting the stems in pieces with several 

 joints, laying on damp moss in a propagating-case in strong heat 

 until roots are visible, then potting and treatment as with older 

 plants. Loam should be added and weak liquid manure-water 

 when rapid growth is produced. 



Trichocentrum. For culture, see Trichocentrum. 



Trichosma. Only one species seems to be in cultivation, T. 

 suavis, a very pretty fragrant-flowered orchid, needing intermediate 

 house treatment, with culture same as for cypripediums, repotting 

 to be done in winter after flowering season has past. 



Tricopilia. Beautiful and fragrant orchids, free-flowering, 

 needing same culture as lycaste. 



Vanda. Culture as for Aerides. See also under Vanda. 



Vandopsis. Culture as for Vanda. 



Vanilla. Tropical epiphytes producing a valuable bean-like 

 capsule and the only orchids known that have a commercial value 

 apart from the flowers. They are true epiphytes, requiring sup- 

 port such as a wall at the end of an orchid house where moisture is 

 assured for the creeping roots. Pollination must be done by hand 

 to be sure of pods being formed. The culture of vanilla is carried 

 on on a large scale in the tropics, but it is impracticable under glass. 

 Easily propagated by cutting up the rooted stems into pieces. 



Warrea. Culture as for Phaius. 



Warsceuriczella. Culture as for Zygopetalum. 



Zygopetalum. Very decorative winter-flowering plants, Z. 

 Mackayi being of easy culture, and perhaps the only species well 

 known. It is very free-flowering, fragrant, will seed freely and pro- 

 duce plants true even though hybridized by other pollen, even unto 

 the fourth generation. It is one of the oldest known orchids, 

 requiring soil similar to phaius and an intermediate treatment. 



E. O. ORPET. 



ORCHIS (Greek word, referring to the shape of 

 the tuberous roots of certain species). Orchidacese. 

 The typical genus of the great family of orchids. 



Plants perennial by means of simple or palmate 

 tubers: st. simple, erect, terminating in a raceme or 

 spike, with few to many rather small fls., and bearing 

 several Ivs.^ with long sheaths: bracts often foliaceous: 

 sepals all similar, connivent or spreading; petals often 

 smaller, entire; labellum 3-lobed, middle lobe entire or 

 parted, base spurred; column very short or none; 

 stigma plane, not produced (Habenaria). About 70 

 species, all terrestrial and natives of the northern hemi- 

 sphere, chiefly in Eu. and Asia, with 2 species in N. 

 Amer. For Orchis spectabilis, Linn., see Galeorchis. 



Orchises are not showy, and they have no horticul- 

 tural standing, but lovers of hardy orchids collect them 

 and try to cultivate them, usually with little success. 

 They will probably thrive under the treatment given 

 Galeorchis, of which F. W. Barclay writes: "The Ameri- 

 can species of Orchis are woodland plants, requiring 

 rich leaf soil, with rather heavy shade, and that even 

 condition of moisture characteristic of deep woods. 

 Where these conditions cannot be supplied, the plants 

 invariably prove short-lived." See also discussion on 

 terrestrial orchids, page 2392. 



hircina, Crantz (Himantogldssum hircinum, Spreng.). 

 Fl.-sts. 1-2 ft. high, bearing a loose raceme 4-8 in. long: 

 fls. greenish white, exhaling a disagreeable odor; middle 

 lobe of the labellum long, strap-like and twisted, lateral 

 lobes much smaller: Ivs. few near the bottom of the 

 scape, oblong-lanceolate. May, June. Eu. and N. 

 Afr. G.W. 2, p. 351. Advertised by Dutch bulb- 

 growers. 



The following species are advertised in Amer. by European 

 dealers, but are not known to be cult, in Amer. Most of them are 

 hardy European plants. The synonomy of the group is somewhat 

 confused. O. Brancifortii, fls. purple. O. folidsa, large, leafy spikes 

 of purple fls. G. 13:183; 26:296; 35:465. G.M. 50:709. O. 

 fusca, purple- and rose-colored fls. O. lalifdlia, spotted Ivs. and 

 purple fls. G. 6:229. Gn.W. 20:599. O. longicornis, fls. rich 

 purple. N. Afr. O. maculata, fls. lilac-purple. O. mdscula, fls. 



