244 Encyclopaedia of Gardening 



which is Tauricum, a variety of stellulatum ; it grows about a foot 

 high, and produces its charming citron-coloured flowers in May (see 

 Botanical Magazine, t. 889). It thrives in limestone and sandy 

 soils if put in positions where damp cannot lodge round the plants 

 in winter. It may be propagated by seeds in spring. Other pretty 

 Onosmas are alba-rosea, which should be raised annually from 

 cuttings; Bourgaei, and echioides; the first has rose and white 

 flowers, the latter pale yellow ones. 



Onychium (onych-ium, from onyx, a claw, in allusion to the shape 

 of the lobes. Ord. Filices). A small genus of ferns, the most 

 popular of which is Japonicum, a species which loses most of its 

 fronds in winter, but is very graceful when in full growth. It 

 thrives in a compost of peat, loam, and sand, with charcoal, and 

 may be propagated by division. Very little water is needed in 

 winter. Auratum, an evergreen, is also met with; it likes a hot- 

 house. 



Ophrys (6-phrys, from ophrys, an eyebrow, in allusion to the 

 sepal fringe. Ord. Orchidaceae) . Interesting Orchids, mostly 

 hardy. Apifera is the Bee Orchis, aranifera the Spider Orchis, 

 bombilifera the Humble Bee Orchis, and muscifera the Fly Orchis. 

 All may be grown in sandy or limestone soil in the rock garden, and 

 may be propagated by division. 



Opium Poppy, Papaver somniferum. 



Opuntia (Indian Fig, Prickly Pear). See Cactus. 



Orange (Citrus Aurantium). See Fruit. 



Orchard. See Fruit. 



Orchard-house. See Fruit. 



Orchids. At no very remote period Orchids were regarded with 

 something akin to awe by the majority of flower lovers, and were 

 considered to be the monopoly of wealthy people who could afford 

 to construct expensive houses and employ skilled specialists for 

 their plants. The majority of amateurs never felt that they could 

 indulge a homely love for Orchids as they could for Roses, Sweet 

 Peas, and ferns. The plants were, in fact, aliens. That feeling 

 has now become modified considerably, and we begin to find 

 amateurs of small means growing Orchids. It must be admitted 

 that the plants need special study, and that the majority require 

 more heat and moisture than other plants grown under glass. The 

 reason of this is that they come from tropical countries, where the 

 atmosphere is saturated and highly heated. There are, however, 

 certain Orchids which may be grown under cool conditions, and so 

 far from these being species of no importance they include Cypri- 

 pedium insigne and its varieties and hybrids, which are among the 

 most popular with the cognoscenti. Disa grandiflora is an Orchid 

 that will thrive in a cool house, and another is the beautiful honey- 

 scented Zygopetalum Mackayi, a graceful plant blooming in winter. 

 The lovely Odontoglossum crispum, of which there are many ex- 

 quisite forms, also thrives under cool conditions. Orchids are all 

 distinguished by flowers of stout texture, and this means that they 



