November, 1913.] 



THE ORCHID WORl.D. 



27 



An Albino Result. — Mr. Chas. J. 

 Phillips, of The Glebe, Sevenoaks, has 

 recently flowered an albino form of Cattleya 

 Rhoda, the sepals and petals being creamy- 

 white, the lip flushed with rose, and streaked 

 with yellow on each side of the isthmus. 

 This hybrid Cattleya is the result of crossing 

 C. Iris and C. Hardyana, so it contains both 

 yellow and light purple colours, which when 

 suitably combined are believed to produce 

 albino results. 



^ ^ 



EPIDENDRUM VITELLL\UiM AUTUMNALE. — 

 During the last month this very bright 

 orange-red flowering species has been making 

 an attractive feature in many collections, and 

 judging by the flower spikes with their 

 numerous buds as yet unopened there will 

 be a continuation of bloom for several 

 ensuing weeks. There are few Orchid 

 flowers that will keep fresh in water so long 

 as these do ; a month is quite the usual period 

 for spikes which have not been left on the 

 plant for too long a time. The autumnal 

 variety is quite distinct from the spring- 

 flowering form, and comes from the Pacific 

 side of Central America. The imported bulbs 

 have an extended nature, somewhat resem- 

 bling a flask, the upper part tapering almost 

 to a point. This, however, rapidly changes 

 in the new bulbs made under cultivation, 

 which are globular and much larger. The 

 spring-flowering form invariably has the 

 imported bulbs of globular shape, but they 

 never have the vigour, nor do they grow as 

 large as those of the autumnal variety. 

 The constitution of the spring-flow-ering form 

 is very poor, so much so that it is rarely seen 

 in healthy condition in any collection. As a 

 matter of fact, several growers have given up 

 its culture as being unprofitable, while in not 

 a few instances it has entirely failed to make 

 headway. Such, however, is not the case 

 with the autumn-flowering variety, which has 

 remarkable vigour and is of a very floriferous 

 nature. The plants are easily propagated by 

 dividing strong established pieces. Imported 

 plants are not brought to perfection under 

 three years, and for that reason the amateur 



would be well advised to purchase only 

 established plants ; that is, of course, 

 supposing he requires many-flowered spikes 

 without unnecessary delay and trouble. 



^ IS i$ 



Registration of Hybrids. — Referring to 

 the proposal of the Royal Plorticultural 

 Society that a Hybrid Orchid Register be 

 established (see page g of October issue), 

 without doubt some central authority should 

 take in hand the naming of hybrids, and even 

 varieties. Confusion upon confusion is 

 already on us, and what it will be even m the 

 near future one dreads to think of. Take an 

 example. I name one of my crosses Black 

 Prince. Six or nine months afterwards some- 

 one else does the same, neither of us having 

 any knowledge of the other's doing. Neither 

 of us can be accused of doing anything wrong 

 under the present condition of affairs, and yet 

 the result is confusion. Another instance of 

 the same cross having been differently named 

 by different raisers occurs to my mind, but I 

 don't think I need labour the point that the 

 present s)'stcm is a poor one, and ought, if 

 possible, to be amended. I say " if possible," 

 because since one began to investigate the 

 matter it appears much more difficult than at 

 first glance. To begin with, the Royal Horti- 

 cultural Societ)', in my opinion, should tackle 

 the job, and it ought to be done somewhat on 

 the following lines: — No name to be recog- 

 nised unless certified by voucher from the 

 central authority, who would, I suppose, 

 charge a small sum for registering same. 

 But then the difficulties begin. Would the 

 plant bearing the flower always have to be 

 sent to them ? This would be both expensive 

 and risky, especially in winter time, and would 

 the owners take this trouble? Of course, a 

 voucher from the authority would be valuable, 

 and make the plant, I should think, of more 

 value, and this might perhaps compensate. 

 Anyway, these, and no doubt other questions, 

 want thinking about and thrashing out before 

 any action is taken. But surely it should not 

 be beyond the wit of man to devise some 

 scheme to reach the point aimed at. — Richd. 

 Ashworlh, N cwchiirch, Near Manchester. 



