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ODONTOEEOSSUM GRANDE 7) 
Pseudobulbis ipyriformi i EAR pi ve i oo) 
pemene ere i semipyriformioblongis compressis diphyllis, foliis oblongolanceolatis pedunculos non wquantibus, pedunculo tri- octofloro, bracteis 
meee & patha i anceis acuminatis ovaria pedicellata vulgo dimidia superantibus, sepalis lanccolatis acutis, tepalis oblongis acutis bene latioribus, rarius 
eae | I na is lem pedunculo), labelli ungue brevissimo, auriculis obtusis, raro acutis in basi supra cuneatam partem in laminam transversam reniformem 
, rgina am i atatam, lineis ternis elevatis a basi in callos quadrigeminos exeuntibus, callis anticis majoribus seepe tumidis obtusis, columna basi extabulata, 
alis semiovatis conspicuis tomentosis, anthera pyriformi velutina. 
Ppa Cel GRANDE Lindl. Bot. Reg, 1840, Misc. 94! Bat. Orch. Mex. Guat. 24! Hook. Bot. Mag. Ixviii. 3955! Van Houtte Flore des 
2 ¥ , Seer main 
erres 1., 21! Paxt. Mag. viii, 49! Morreh in Ann. Gand 1845, t. 37! Warner, Williams, Moore, Orch. Alb. II. 79 ! Hartinger Parad. Vindob. I, t. 13! Regel 
Gartenflora, 270! Bat. Odontoglossum 8 ! ‘ i 
@ Pseudobulbi et folia casia valde similia illis Odontoglosso Insleayi et Schlieperiani. Flores intus vernixii, lutei, maculis castaneis numerosis. 
Columna lutea. : 
VAR, SPLENDENS Rchb. f. in Gard. Chron. 1872, 1290 !: sepalis tepalisque purpureo castaneo pictis, labelli fasciis vittisque purpureis, Misit exc, Bull 
chelsonensis, 
An huc pertinet Odontoglossum grande magnificum Williamsi? Cf, Manual cd. 4, 1871, p. 217, et edit. seqq. 
= io Guatemala haud late dispersum, forsan mox extinctum. Impudice copiis ingentibus mittitur, In scheda herbarii mei amicissimus de Warscewicz 
addidit : “Costa Rica.” Nemo recentius ibi plantam vidisse videtur, HG. Rehb. f. 
Fig. analyt. Due bases labelli, alterius pars basilari flexa vi recte extensa. Columna antice et a latere. Pollinaria duo, antice et postice + 
Pollinarium transverse sectum +  Anthera a latere, superne, inferne + 
Axout fifty years ago, when orchid culture was yet in its infancy, George Ure Skinner, a merchant resident in Guatemala, 
began to seek for orchidaceous plants in the untrodden forests of Central America. He soon obtained by the aid: of 
Indians a host of new orchids and sent them home to his friends in England, and at length his consignments were sold 
publicly, realising what was at that time considered to be fabulous prices. One consignment fetched upwards of £600, 
the highest amount that had then been obtained, and the fact becoming known gave a great impetus to orchid collecting 
and importing. At that time orchids were known only in the gardens of the wealthiest, the chief collections being those 
possessed by the Dukes of Bedford, Devonshire, and Northumberland, at Woburn, Chatsworth, and Syon, and many a 
long pilgrimage was made to these ducal gardens in order to see in bloom the newly-introduced orchids. 
In 1839 Mr. Skinner discovered the magnificent Odontoglossum grande of which a representation is herewith 
given. In sending a plant of it to a friend in England he wrote: “This is the finest orchidaceous plant we have in 
Guatemala.” The finest it certainly was, and no finer has yet been discovered. It has no rival even among the multitude 
of Odontoglossa that have come to us from the treasure stores of South America. Itisa favourite with those whose 
orchid collections are the richest, and is also among the select few that the tyro in orchid culture need not hesitate to 
grow, it being one of the most easily managed orchids. 
O. grande may be regarded as the type of a small group all bearing a strong likeness to each other. These are 
O. Insleayi with its varieties, O. Schlieperianum, O. Williamsianum and O. grande. They so much resemble each other in 
growth that they are frequently mistaken one for the other when not in bloom. Each has large compressed pseudo-bulbs 
and broad pale green foliage, but in flower their differences are at once apparent. The extraordinary large size of the 
flowers of O. grande renders it remarkable, they being sometimes found seven inches across. The colours do not vary 
much, and the flowers figured may be regarded as those of an average form. From two to five flowers are borne on each 
stem, and sometimes two flower stems proceed from one bulb. The fact that this splendid plant blooms in autumn, just 
at the lowest ebb of the orchid flower season, greatly enhances its value, and it lasts in perfection for nearly a month. 
The culture of O. grande is simple. It should be grown during the summer months in a cool and moist house. 
It will be then in active growth, and should be supplied with plenty of water. When the new bulbs have become fully 
developed the plants should be kept dry, so as to thoroughly rest them. In the early part of September the plants require 
a warmer atmosphere, ranging from 60’ to 65° F., and this increased warmth will induce the plants to produce strong 
spikes. When these have pushed up the plants must be again kept well watered, and after the flower season is over 
repotting, if necessary, should be done. This orchid grows naturally in damp, shady woods, where the temperature 
seldom exceeds 70° F., with a minimum temperature of 36° F. in winter, so that these natural conditions should be 
imitated, always remembering that though the plants require shade from direct sunlight in summer excessive shading is 
harmful. Specimens of this grand orchid are frequently met with in old collections measuring two feet, or even more, in 
diameter, carrying at flowering time numerous spikes of bloom. 
Drawn from a plant in the collection of Baron Alphonse de Rothschild, Ferriéres, (Seine et Marne) France. 
