i8 4 



FLORA AND SYLVA. 



L^LIA PR^STANS AND ITS 

 VARIETIES* 

 Some confusion has arisen from the 

 classing together of Lcelia prcesta7is%.x\& 

 Lcelia Daya?ia as mere varieties of L. 

 pumila ^ although the plants are totally 

 distinct from each other. As imported 

 plants of L. pumila are often sold for L. 

 prcestans it may be well to draw atten- 

 tion to the main features that divide the 

 two plants. In Lceliaprcestansxh.^ struc- 

 ture of the lip (or front lobe of the label - 

 lum) is trumpet-shaped, with a distinct 

 curve on the lower sides and not straight 

 as in L. pumila ; the convolute side- 

 lobes overlap at the margin, and are so 

 stiff in texture that they cannot be spread 

 out without splitting. The petals and 

 sepals are very similar, but do not as a 

 rule lie quite so flat as in L. pumila. 

 The plant was first imported from Santa 

 Catherina, and named by Rachenbach 

 in 1857. Several distinct varieties have 

 been imported of late years, and one of 

 the most striking of these is theOakwood 

 variety shown in our plate. The deep blue 

 lip is in fine contrast with the orange- 

 yellow of the throat, while the raised 

 lines and curve at the base of the tube 

 are clearly defined. There is also a deli- 

 cate blue shading suflusing the light 

 sepals and petals, which are otherwise 

 like those of the typical form of Lcelia 

 prcestans — also shown in its colouring 

 of rosy crimson. 



These plants of theZ^- 

 li a pumila group are all 

 autumn -flowering kinds, coming into 

 blossom at a season when few other or- 

 chids are in flower and lasting long in 



Culture. 



beauty . When well grown no Laelia gives 

 better results than L. prcestans \ impor- 

 tations are frequent, and the plants may 

 be bought at prices within the reach of 

 all growers having the necessary condi- 

 tions. They do well in shallow pans or 

 in teak baskets, suspended near the glass, 

 where they thrive best and display their 

 flowers to the fullest advantage. They 

 resent too much soil about the roots, 

 so when dealing with imported plants it 

 is well to select baskets just large enough 

 to contain them comfortably. The best 

 compost is a mixture of equal parts of 

 fibrous brown peat and chopped sphag- 

 num moss, giving abundant drainage, 

 and making the compost firm about the 

 roots and rhizomes. When well estab- 

 lished it is a mistake to re-pot, unless 

 made necessary through the plant out- 

 growing its quarters or the decay of the 

 basket. An annual dressing and partial 

 change of compost is all that is needed. 

 Lcelia prcestans and its allies are cool- 

 growing kinds and may be grown with 

 theOdontoglossums,but I find they do 

 best when grown in a cool intermediate 

 house with a minimum temperature of 

 5 5 degrees throughout the year. Where 

 this constant intermediate temperature 

 is wanting good results may be got by 

 placing them in a warmer house as they 

 begin to grow,until the flowering season 

 is passed and their growth matures ; they 

 may then be returned to the cool house 

 for the dormant season,when little water 

 is necessary save just sufficient to keep 

 the pseudo-bulbs and foliage in a plump 

 condition. h. J. CHAPMAN. 



Oakwood, Wylam-on-Tyne. 



With coloured plate from a drawing by H. G. Moon. 



