138 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
AN AMATEUR’S NOTES. 
THE advent of Cattleyas Mendelii and Mossie, together with Lalia pur- 
purata, indicate the approach of the showiest season of the year. Early 
flowers of each of these are now expanding, and the group will soon forma 
picture of loveliness. The beautiful Cattleyas citrina and intermedia, and 
Lelia cinnabarina, must also be added to the list. Odontoglossums are 
almost at their best, and include numerous forms of O. crispum, spotted 
and unspotted, white and pink; several forms of O. luteopurpureum, the 
brilliant O. triumphans, O. Pescatorei, and several others, including the 
hybrids O. x Coradinei and O. x Wilckeanum. Hanging from the roof 
isa plant of the charming little O. GErstedii bearing a large number of 
flowers, which are remarkably persistent. Miltonia vexillaria is again 
beginning to flower, and will soon be at its best, while a plant of M. 
Phaleenopsis is also very pretty. 
The brilliant-flowered group of Masdevallia is beginning to make a 
show, and includes M. x Parlatoreana and M. X Chelsoni, as well as 
the commoner ones. The fine old Sobralia macrantha now rivals the 
Cattleyas in the brilliance of its flowers, and will keep up a succession 
much longer. Its chief drawback is that it takes rather a lot of space. 
Maxillaria Sanderiana and M. luteo-alba are also among the additions to 
the list, together with Cypripedium I C. Vol 5 
exul, and C. bellatulum, the latter being planted in hanging pans, and in ‘ 
this way seen to better advantage. The best Oncidiums just now are 0. 
M i 1, O. 1 , and O. ll the former being superb. 
A plant not always seen at its best is the old Arpophyllum spicatum, 
which, when well grown, is very effective, the dense spikes of rosy pu 
flowers being very distinct from anything else. _ Phalaenopsis tetraspis 1s @ 
chaste and beautiful flower which will remain long in beauty, and ought to 
be more widely grown; another species now blooming well is P. Luedde- 
manniana. The pretty little Helcia sanguinolenta and Diacrium bicornutum, 
also claim attention. Among the Dendrobiums may be mentioned D. 
Parishii, cariniferum, with its powerful aromatic fragrance, densifiorum, 
thrysiflorum, crystallinum, transparens, and the charming little D. 
Loddigesii as among the more notable additions to the list. Cymbidium 
Lowianum is now superb, and I think unquestionably the best of the 
Cymbidiums. It would be easy to extend the list, though the above 
selection contains all the more striking ones. é 
The collection generally is now very attractive, as not only is it gay with 
flowers, but the young growths are coming on well, and it is very interesting 
to watch their progress, and in some measure anticipate the display of the 
next flowering season. 
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