ORCHID HYBRIDS 109 
CHAPTER XXI 
ORCHID HYBRIDS 
IT is impossible to enumerate the immense number of 
home-raised hybrids in the scope of this book. It must 
therefore suffice to name some of the principal genera 
which have been crossed, and a few of the best hybrids, 
from the garden point of view. 
Too much cannot be said for the absorbing interest 
of raising hybrid Orchids, which is referred to at length 
on p. 67. 
Brassavola Digbyana has been one of the most satis- 
factory parents, crossing readily with Cattleya and Lzelia, and 
imparting to the hybrids its large flowers and fringed lip. 
B. glauca has also been useful. Brasso-Catileya Digbyano- 
Mossie, “ Westonbirt Variety,” is illustrated in Plate V. 
Calanthes have been wonderfully improved, so far as 
the deciduous, winter-flowering kinds are concerned, by 
intercrossing, commencing with C. Veitchii (rosea x vestita) 
and now including all shades from pure white to blood- 
red. 
Cattleya, Lzelia, Sophronitis, and Brassavola have pro- 
duced by intercrossing numerous showy garden plants, 
some of them, as for example C. Iris (C. bicolor x C. Dowiana). 
and Lalio-Cattleya callistoglossa (C. Warscewiczii x L. pur- 
purata), exhibiting great variation in the colour of their 
beautiful flowers. 
Cymbidium has been enriched by the hybridist, the 
