THE ORCHID WORLD. 



[June, 1915. 



results the colour cells arc rearranged, and 

 many of those previously hidden from view 

 are brought to light. For example, in 

 Odontioda Charlesworthii (C. Noezliana x O. 

 Harryanum) the flowers appear of rich red, 

 Init in the next generation, of which 

 Oda. Madeline (Oda. Charlesworthii x Odm. 

 crispum) is an example, the inner cells of 

 yellow colour are rendered visible, and we 

 obtain what is practically a yellow Odontioda. 

 There is not sufficient red colour to cover 

 the surface of the flower, only enough to 

 form a few orange-red markings. Similar 

 examples are to be seen in Odontioda Joan 

 (Oda. Charlesworthii x Odm. ardentissimum), 

 and in others as yet unnamed. Before long 

 we may see the entire disappearance of the 

 red blotches, the yellow ground remaining 

 and forming a flower to which the varietal 

 name aurea may be applied. 



During" the last 25 years Miltonia vexillaria 

 has been largely used in the formation of the 

 ])rincipal groups at the Temple Shows and 

 latterly at Chelsea, and in all cases it has 

 l)roved of untold value as a decorative 

 species. But the energetic seed-raiser has 

 not neglected this genus, as recent results 

 have shown. Unlike other genera there is 

 not the diversity of material to work with, 

 for in the production of large flowers only 

 vexillaria and Roezlii are worthy of attention. 

 However, if the hybridist has been short of 

 material he has not failed in turning it to the 

 best account. In M. vexillaria var. Lyoth we 

 have a home-raised plant of great beauty, 

 and obtained by the use of the two well- 

 known forms chelseaensis and G. D. Owen ; 

 the rosy flowers have a large blotch of 

 crimson-purple, from which radiate thick 

 lines and final spots. No less beautiful 

 are the many hybrids having varying 

 quantities of vexillaria and Roezlii in their 

 parentage. They are known respectively as 

 Bleuana, Hyeana, St. Andre, Isabel Sander, 

 Sanderiana, Jules Hye de Crom and 

 Charlesworthii, the latter being a great 

 improvement on the historic variety of 

 vexillaria known as G. D. Owen. 



Among the Odontoglossums we find an 

 endless array of Harryanum hybrids, chiefly 



those made up with crispum and Pescatorei. 

 Of late years there have been several 

 immense flowers exhibited under high 

 sounding names, but which do not appear 

 to be anything else than a combination of 

 crispum and Harryanum. They may all be 

 classed as superfine varieties of amabile. 

 Size is an important point with many 

 connoisseurs, while to others richness of 

 coloration appeals the most. In this year's 

 show the flowers, taken on the average, are 

 of better shape, perhaps not so many giants, 

 and with the markings more neatly arranged, 

 doubtless due to the careful selection 

 exercised by exhibitors. In the yellow 

 grounded section of Odonts. a slight advance 

 can be recorded, although progress must 

 necessarily be slow, for suitable material 

 from which to breed is by no means plentiful. 

 Notwithstanding " albino " forms of several 

 species, from which some promising results 

 have already been obtained, we notice that 

 triumphans continues to hold its own as a 

 breeder of yellow Odontoglossums. Although 

 Oncidiums appear to be closely related, 

 especially when their manner of growth is 

 considered, there is a very marked difference 

 in the coloration of their flowers, for while 

 the Oncidiums are noted for their abundance 

 of \'ellow blooms the Odontoglossums are 

 singularly deficient in this respect. Were it 

 not for the floriferous spikes of Oncidium 

 Marshallianum there would indeed be little 

 yellow seen in the Orchid groups. 



¥,i5 ?<S 



Oncidium Anthocrene. — The specific 

 name of this Oncidium is a fanciful one, 

 meaning fountain of flowers. It produces 

 large upright branched spikes of dark- 

 coloured flowers, having the sepals and petals 

 much undulated, chocolate-brown, trans- 

 \ ersely barred with yellow towards the base, 

 and the lip white, with a red band in front of 

 the crest. It is a winter-blooming plant, and 

 somewhat resembles Miltonia Warscewiczii in 

 its habit of growth. Messrs. Stuart Low and 

 Co. have several healthy plants of this rarity 

 in their establishment at Jarvisbrook, -Sussex. 



