January 9, 



Garden and Forest. 



19 



Orchid Notes. 



Zygopetalum Maciayzi.— Several plants of this old and well- 

 known Orchid are now in full beauty here, and the bold 

 spikes of bloom form quite a prominent feature of the collec- 

 tion at this season. The value of the flowers is enhanced by 

 their lasting quality, both on the plant and after having been 



which, if strong, will produce two, each bearing from eight to 

 twelve of its large, handsome flowers. The sepals and petals 

 are yellowish-green blotched with purplish-brown. The large, 

 spreading lip is pure white striped with blue. There are sev- 

 eral varieties, differing chiefly in color. It is a native of 

 Brazil. 



Odontoglossu77i Dorinanianiim. — This rare and pretty little 



Fig. 86. — Giant Bamboo ( Gigantochloa after) in the Botanic Garden, Ceylon. — See page 14. 



cut. This species will be found exceedingly useful to florists 

 for cutting. It can be grown easily and will accommodate 

 itself to almost any house, thriving well among foliage plants, 

 Roses, or in the coolest plant-house. The flowers appear 

 at different periods, according to the temperature given 

 them. A strong compost of fibrous loam, kept open with nod- 

 ules of charcoal, seems to suit the thick, fleshy roots, and dur- 

 ing active growth it needs a plenflful supply of water, and if 

 in good condition is benefited by frequent waterings of weak, 

 liquid manure. The spikes appear from the young growths, 



Orchid is now in flower. In habit it bears some resemblance 

 to O. blandiun, and is probably only a geographical form of 

 it. The flowers, borne on drooping racemes, are about two 

 inches across, and are pure white densely spotted with 

 mauve-purple, excepting the tips of the segments. It is a 

 robust grower, and requires the treatment usually given to 

 the genus. 



Odontoglossum raiiiosissiiinim is a rare species producing 

 branching scapes with numerous, wavy, speckled flowers 

 which, in a mass, are particularly attractive. The bulbs are 



