56 ORCHIDS FOR EVERYONE 



great usefulness. Cypripedium insigne and its numerous varieties 

 provide sufficient material to please most people, indeed the 

 variations and cross-bred forms of this fine species are so abundant 

 that their study and culture form a pleasant hobby for an amateur. 

 C. Leeanum is a hybrid between C. insigne and C. Spicerianum 

 and is a very fine plant, producing its very attractive flowers 

 freely in the Winter. It also has numerous varieties. These two 

 groups, i.e. C. insigne and C. Leeanum varieties, are a host in them- 

 selves, but the hybridist has been so busy during the last twelve 

 or fifteen years that the number of Cypripediums now available 

 for cool cultivation is very large and, naturally, the range of form 

 and colour has been increased at the same time. C. Boxallii^ 

 C. Charlesivorthii, C. Spicerianum^ and C. villosum are good 

 species to add to C. insigne and the hybrid C. Leeanum., while 

 among the best of the cool growing hybrids the following form an 

 excellent selection : — C. Arthurianum., C. aureum^ C. Calypso., 

 C. Cardosoanum., C. Charlesianum, C. Colossus.^ C. Evelyn, 

 C. Hera., C. Hitcbinsi^e, C. Lasellei., C. Latbamianum, C. Leander., 

 C. Menelik., C. Milo, C. Minos., C. Niobe., C. nitens., C. Norma., 

 C. (enanthum., C. KegincE C. Romulus, C. Savageanum, 

 C. Scblesingerianum, C. Schrcederi, C. Simonii, C. Statterianum, 

 and C. Thalia. 



The best time to pot Cypripediums is soon after they have 

 done flowering, and it will be found that as a rule the end of 

 February or early March will be the proper season for attending 

 to the material wants of the cool growing section. Not all the 

 plants will need re-potting every year, but even those that do not 

 require this attention are improved in health and appearance if the 

 surface of the old compost is removed carefully and new material 

 is put in its place. Cypripedium roots are thick and fleshy ; they 

 are also somewhat brittle. It is therefore necessary to handle the 



