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~ The Orchid Review ; 
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3. a NOs AVL June, 1918. No. 306. 
Ea ORCHIDS AT TUNBRIDGE WELLS. | a 
. aenteres | 
VIDENCE of the rapid improvement that is taking place in the 
Odontoglossum group is constantly seen at our horticultural meetings, 
and the extent to which hybridisation and the raising of seedlings is now 
carried on can be well realised by a visit to some of our leading Orchid 
establishments. The firm of Messrs. Armstrong & Brown, Tunbridge 
Wells, have taken a prominent part in this development, and we gladly 
accepted Mr. Armstrong’s invitation to pay him a visit about the middle of 
May, knowing that the time would be well spent. There is always much of 
interest to see in such an establishment, and as its leading features have 
been already described (O.R., xix. pp. 164-168), our notes are chiefly devoted 
to some of the more recent developments. 
The Odontoglossum seedlings are in excellent condition, the foliage being 
clean and healthy, and the plants having that strong, healthy appearance 
that indicates perfect cultural conditions. Some of the larger seedlings 
were of remarkable vigour, the last-made bulbs being twice as large as the 
preceding ones. There were many in bloom, and still more in spike, and it 
was particularly interesting to see the great amount of variation among 
A rigid selection is practised, only the 
seedlings from the same capsule. 
finest forms being used as parents, and these of known ancestry as far as 
Possible, the object being to create pedigree strains, both among the white 
and blotched forms, while colour development is aimed at by further crossing 
with the numerous brilliant Odontiodas now in existence. 
Examples of all these developments were pointed out. The whites were 
represented by Odontoglossum crispum xanthotes, O. eximium xanthotes, 
and O. promerens xanthotes, the Jatter a fine batch of seedlings just 
beginning to flower, and from which much is expected. The seedlings, as in 
the case of albinos generally, could easily be picked out by their bright green 
colour. Odontoglossum Peerless is a good example of the blotched forms, 
the seedlings showing much variation in colour, but all are good in shape 
and substance. An analysis of the ancestry shows that it is composed of 0. 
crispum, O. Pescatorei, and O. Harryanum, the two former coming in on 
both sides of the ancestry, and O. crispum having been used three times. 
121 
