JAN.-FEB., igty | THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
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BLUE ORCHIDS. Eecy 
N interesting paper on Blue Orchids, by Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bart., 
has just appeared in the Gardeners’ Chronicle, largely with reference to 
a series of varieties approaching this colour which are grown in the collec- 
tion at Gatton Park. In an introductory note he speaks of Vanda ccerulea 
as the only truly Blue Orchid known to him, though he suggests that to the 
marvels of hybridisation already accomplished a cross may yet be added 
between this beautiful Vanda and some other species, resulting in a series 
of genuinely Blue Orchids. 
Among so-called Blue Orchids Sir Jeremiah alludes to the pretty 
Dendrobium Victoria-Regina — though requiring the imagination of 
Shakespeare to make a blue of it—Bollea ccelestis, Rhynchostylis ccelestis, 
and Vanda ccerulescens, and, so far as the Gatton Park collection is 
concerned, the treasures include a Cattleya Trianz with a very dark lip, 
Dendrobium Phalenopsis Gatton Park var., Lelia pumila Gatton Park 
var., and the very lovely Cattleya Mendelii Lady Colman. Blue types he 
considers as by no means rare, and the collection contains three quite 
distinct blue forms of Cattleya Bowringiana, differing from each other in 
size, colour, and shape. 
Of hybrids raised in the collection, and coming true to colour, mention 
is made of Cattleya Portia ccerulea (Bowringiana violacea x labiata 
coerulea), C. Ariel coerulea (Bowringiana lilacina X Gaskelliana ccerules- 
cens), and C. Alcimeda coerulea (labiata coerulea x Gaskelliana ccerules- 
cens), with the usual variation in shape and size, but little variation in 
colour. When crossed with other coloured varieties the blues lose their 
individuality in colour. What may result from crossing blues with yellows 
and whites has not yet been satisfactorily proved, though one would not be 
sanguine of avoiding a muddy colour. 
As to their popularity, Sir Jeremiah remarks :—‘‘ To attempt to arouse 
among the confraternity of Orchid experts appreciative enthusiasm of these 
would be a hopeless task. . . These so-called Blue Orchids are not in 
fashion. The expert fixes a standard, which includes size, substance, and 
with the exception of the albino, strong, striking or gorgeous colourings—. 
just the qualities that the blues lack. Nevertheless . . . their flowers are 
unique and delicate, and they produce most beautiful effects in floral 
decorations. One of my Orchid houses, in which were arranged numerous 
flowering varieties of the type last November, proved a revelation to some 
of my Orchid friends. Still, I am under no misconception as to the Orchid 
world’s estimate of these ccerulean types, and when Orchid groups have to : 
be submitted to the judgment of the expert it is prudent to leave one’s Blue 
