September, 1914.] 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



an Award of Merit, R.H.S., October 24th, 

 1899, and a similar award at the Manchester 

 Orchid Society two days later, Messrs. 

 Veitch in each case being the raiser and 

 exhibitor. 



The special characteristics are the prettily 

 fringed three-lobed labellum and the cinnabar 

 colour suffused throughout the whole flower, 

 features which at once made it a popular 

 hybrid, no less than four distinct varieties 

 being subsequently certificated by the Royal 

 Horticultural Society. 



Hybridists soon availed themselves of this 

 distinct addition, and endeavoured to per- 

 petuate the rich colour and the fringed nature 

 of the labellum. The following hybrids have 

 already flowered and been recorded, B.-L. 

 Mrs. M. Gratrix in each case being one of the 

 parents: — Brassocattlaslia Fowlen (x C. 

 Schrdderae), Fowler, 1907; Agamedes ( x C. 

 labiata), Charlesworth, 1909 ; Cooksonii ( x C. 

 aurea), Cookson, 1909; Lua (x L.-C. G. S. 

 Ball), Charlesworth, 1909; Fuerstenbergii 

 (x C. Trianas), Franke, 1910; Winnifred 

 (xL.-C. Myra), Charlesworth, 191 o; Nereus 

 (x L.-C. Hyeana), Cypher, 191 i ; Aureole 

 (x L.-C. luminosa), St. Quintin, 191 2; and 

 Joan (x C. Octave Doin), Charlesworth, 191 2. 

 Fragneana ( x C. Trianas), Ginot, 191 1, is 

 synonymous with Fuerstenbergii. 



MASDEVALLIA VEIICHIANA. 



ALTHOUGH iit the present day tlie 

 members of this genus cannot be 

 termed popular, nevertheless the 

 above-mentioned species is of such quaint 

 formation and coloration, as well as very 

 free-flowering, that it well deserves a place in 

 every collection. 



The blossoms are of good size, having a 

 total expanse of six or seven inches, and are 

 borne singly on long slender stalks. They 

 are of a brilliant vermilion scarlet with 

 yellow suffusions, and having a peculiar 

 iridescent shading due to a covering of 



magenta hairs. The individual flowers will 

 keep several weeks in perfection. 



A light and airy position in the cool house, 

 or e\ en in an ordinary greenhouse, will suit 

 this plant admirably. An average tempera- 

 ture of 50-65 degrees should be maintained 

 throughout the year, whilst the atmosphere 

 must always be kept sweet and damp by 

 judicious ventilation and frequent syringing. 

 Although a light position is to be desired, this 

 Orchid does not like direct exposure to the 

 hot sun. Shading should be used whenever 

 the sun has sufficient power to burn the 

 leaves. 



For direct application to the roots rain- 

 water should be employed, and since this 

 species possesses no pseudo bulbs to store up 

 nutriment, and moreover is never inactive, a 

 large supply is generally needed. Unless 

 exceptionally cold and damp climatic 

 conditions prevail I find that daily attention 

 IS needed from March to October, and during 

 the winter months three times a week. The 

 plants will derive great assistance from a 

 gentle spray over the leaves every day from 

 early spring until late autumn. 



The flower spikes should be tied to neat 

 sticks when of sufficient length, otherwise 

 they are liable to grow crooked and thereby 

 spoil the plant's appearance. Dead flowers 

 should be cut off in order to hasten the 

 formation of new roots and leaves. 



Being shallow rooting Orchids they are 

 best grown in pans, with fresh compost every 

 other year. Osmunda fibre, sphagnum moss 

 and oak leaves, well mixed and chopped up, 

 form a good mixture, which should be used 

 in a damp state. Careful and firm potting is 

 most essential, and in setting the plant in the 

 fresh pan one should aim at having the base 

 of the leaf stalks on a level with the rim. By 

 this method over-watering and its consequent 

 evils are to a great extent avoided. Propa- 

 gation is effected by division of the plant 

 when repotting, each ])()rtion having two or 

 more new leaves. 



From the above notes it can be seen that 

 its culture is simple and every collection 

 should be able to boast of a few plants of this 

 the " Yawning Orchid." — C. Alwyn Harrison. 



