54 ORCHIDS FOR EVERYONE 



C. Mastersii), C. Sedeni [C. grandtflorum x C. Lowianum), and 

 C. WiGANiANUM [C. eburneiim x C. Tracyamim), all of which 

 are good, but several of them are rare and not in general 

 cultivation. 



CYPRIPEDIUM 



A question quite frequently asked is " Which Orchids shall I 

 begin vsrith?" and with very rare exceptions the answer is "The 

 cool Cypripediums." Taken as a family the Cypripediums are 

 very easily cultivated, and even where there are no special facilities 

 for Orchid culture they may be managed successfully if there is a 

 small stove and a warm greenhouse. All the Cypripediums are 

 interesting and curious by reason of the peculiar shape of their 

 flowers ; most of them are effective, handsome, and useful, but 

 very few can properly be called pretty. The fact that the greater 

 number of the species, hybrids, and varieties which thrive under 

 comparatively cool conditions also flower during the Winter, gives 

 to this group a high horticultural value, and to this virtue must be 

 added another, viz. the wonderful duration of the flowers, these 

 lasting in fine condition for upwards of four weeks. 



The upper part of a Cypripedium flower is called the dorsal 

 sepal ; less conspicuous, usually lacking size and colour, and placed 

 behind the lip, is the ventral sepal ; the two segments that extend 

 more or less at right angles with the dorsal sepal are the petals; 

 the lip, or labellum, is invariably pouched, but the pouch 

 varies considerably in size and shape; in the centre of the 

 flower, where the lip is attached, is a flattish, shield-like process, 

 usually glistening, and known as the staminode ; behind the 

 staminode is the stigma, with two pollen masses near by. In 

 Cypripedium niveum and C. bellatulum the flowers are rounded, 



