THE ORCHID WORLD. 



179 



by the use of species only. But in L.-C. 

 McBeaniana, raised by Messrs. J. and A. 

 McBean, Cooksbridge, we have a recent 

 example of the uniting of two species which, 

 for generations past, have been with us in an 

 unconnected state. Is it not possible that 

 many other equally promising hybrids remam 

 as yet unthought of? 



Laslia anceps, unlike the majority of 

 Cattleyas and Laslias which only on rare 

 occasions produce a white flower, may be 

 collected in several different districts, some 

 producing purple tinted, others almost pure 

 white flowers, or with only a few purple lines 

 in the throat. The only pure albino is that 

 commonly known as "Bull's alba." The 

 finest coloured forms are Chamberlainiana and 

 Crawshayana. 



Laelia anceps Dawsonii has a high reputa- 

 tion, but Mr. de Barri Crawshay, who has 

 devoted considerable time to the study of 

 these plants, considers it to be a local species 

 and not a variety of typical L. anceps, for of 

 many varieties that he has examined all have 

 the same general form, although some slight 

 variation is visible in the size of the flower, 

 and also in the formation of the blotch of 

 colour on the labellum. As many plants of 

 Dawsonii have been collected in Mexico it 

 cannot be true that the specimens in the 

 various collections are portions of one original 

 plant which has been propagated in this 

 country. 



Soon after the plants have finished flowering 

 new roots will commence to push from the 

 base of the last made pseudo-bulb ; this is a 

 favourable opportunity to do any necessary 

 re-potting. For large specimens nothing 

 equals osmunda fibre, but for smaller and 

 weaker growing plants a mixture of osmunda, 

 polypodium, and sphagnum moss will give 

 excellent results. Replace the plants in such 

 a way that the new growths will be formed 

 towards the centre of the pot, allowing 

 sufficient room for two or three new bulbs to 

 be made. After re-potting keep the plants 

 on the dry side for a few days, and if sunny 

 weather prevails it will be advisable to lightly 

 syringe them overhead to prevent the pseudo- 

 bulb from shrivelling too much. 



L^lia anceps does not like being disturbed, 

 consequently the plants after re-potting will 

 probably look a little unhappy, but as soon as 

 the new roots enter the fresh compost rapid 

 recovery will take place. The plants should 

 be placed in a good light position, or, if 

 possible, grown in a pan or basket suspended 

 from the roof. Very little shading will be 

 required, for these Mexican species are 

 accustomed to much sunshine and plenty of 

 air. Ventilation must be freely given to 

 prevent burning of the foliage. Some 

 growers have obtained excellent results by 

 placing a thin canvas screen inside the house 

 just under the glass. In the case of the small 

 amateur's collection, where many different 

 kinds of Orchids have to be grown in the same 

 house, it will not be found possible to carry 

 out these instructions without in some 

 way interfering with the other occupants. 

 Probably one end or even a corner of the 

 house could be devoted to L. anceps and other 

 Mexican Orchids ; by so doing less risk will 

 be incurred to the plants requiring a shady 

 and cooler atmosphere. 



Every attention must be given to encourage 

 a healthy and strong growth during the 

 summer months, for without this, flowering 

 results are sure to be poor and disappointing. 

 As soon as the newly made bulb is complete 

 gradual resting of the plants should take place, 

 and the longer the rest the better will be the 

 substance of the flower. Resting, it should 

 be mentioned, does not mean the total with- 

 holding of water and consequent risk of killing 

 the plant, but is carried out by placing the 

 plants in a cooler atmosphere and giving only 

 sufficient water to prevent the bulbs from 

 shrivelling and not enough to force them to 

 commence a second growth during the dull 

 autumn months. 



%^ ^ 



Mexican Orchids are particularly liable to 

 be attacked by insect pests ; every means 

 must, therefore, be taken to keep the plants 

 clean by constant washing" with a suitable 

 insecticide, or else by frequent fumigation of 

 the house. The smallest insect often does 

 the greatest damage. 



