OCTOBER, 1923. THE ORCHID REVIEW. 30g 
CYPRIPEDIUM H. BALLANTINE. 
HE elegant Cypripedium figured on this page is a primary hybrid, that 
is, it results from the first crossing of two species. In this case they 
are C. purpurpatum and C. Fairrieanum. The former is rarely seen in 
cultivation, but is characterised by the vertical lines of brown-purple on 
the dorsal sepal as well as by the rich purplish-crimson colour of the 
lateral petals. C. Fairrieanum is one of the prettiest of Cypripediums and 
CYPRIPEDIUM H. BALLANTINE. 
has distinctive qualities in the drooping nature of its petals. It will be 
noticed that these specific characters are strongly inherited in the hybrid. 
Cyp. H. Ballantine first appeared in August, 1890, when it was exhibited at 
the Royal Horticultural Society, and awarded a First-class Certificate. 
Cypripediums are among the easiest of Orchids to cultivate, and well 
reward the amateur with flowers possessing considerable elegance, as well 
as by being produced mostly in the dull autumn months. They will with- 
stand a foggy atmosphere better than any other genus, and most of them 
succeed well in vineries, or along with other greenhouse plants. 
