178 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



Lalia anceps Chamberlainiana, as grown by Mr. H. G. Alexander, Orchid grower to 

 Lieut.-Col. Sir George Holford, K.C.V.O., Westonbirt, Tetbury, Glos. 



l^eceived Cultural Commendation when exhibited at the Royal Horticultural Society, January 31st, 191 I. 



SOME NOTES ON L/ELIA ANCEPS. 



L^LIA anceps has not received as much 

 attention as it deserves ; surely its 

 graceful, long and erect spikes are of 

 considerable utility for giving to Orchid 

 groups that tasteful and finishing touch which 

 is, except on rare occasions, only seen in the 

 exhibits staged by professional hands of long 

 experience. How often does one notice the 

 heavy effect produced by a mass of large 

 Cattleyas, or the staging, all on the same level, 

 of numerous smaller flowering Orchids. 



Specimen plants of Laelia anceps are 

 particularly well adapted for placing at the 

 back of large groups, for when so situated, the 

 long flower spikes can be arranged to grace- 

 fully bend over the specimens which are 

 staged in front, and thus add considerably to 

 a natural effect being produced. To imitate 

 nature is to have all things as nearly correct 

 as possible ; if the amateur strives to follow 



nature's way of doing thmgs he will speedil}' 

 be recompensed for his trouble. 



Hybridists would do well in the future to 

 utilise the various varieties of Laelia anceps, 

 and to endeavour to perpetuate their graceful 

 method of flowering. On the other hand, the 

 flowers have peculiarities all their own, and 

 the possibilities of producing unique crosses 

 are greater than with many of the species 

 which in the past have partaken so much in 

 the creation of our present day hybrids. 



Until the recent flowering for the first time 

 of Laelio-Cattleya McBeaniana, a hybrid 

 between C. Schroderas and L. anceps 

 Schroderiana, who would not have expected 

 anything so elegant and distinct from these 

 two species. Primary hybrids, it has often 

 been said, have nearly all been made, and little 

 chance remains for a newcomer in the 

 hybridising world to produce anything novel 



