Plate 35. 



LYCASTE SKINNERI ALBA, AND NIGRO-RUBRA. 



Amongst the many species of Orchids which have been introduced of late years, few 

 are more generally acceptable than Lycaste Skinneri. The facility with which it can be 

 grown, the length of time that the individual flowers continue in bloom, and the infinite 

 variety of its markings, all entitle it to a high place amongst decorative plants. It can be 

 easily removed to the sitting-room without injury, thus becoming valuable for many purposes. 



Amongst those who have most largely imported and most successfully cultivated this 

 charming Orchid, is the firm of Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, and a visit to their Lycaste house 

 when the plants are in bloom is a great treat. A collection of florists'" flowers cannot 

 exhibit a greater variety in marking than do the Lycastes, while their large rich pendent 

 leaves impart an air of luxuriant vegetation which florists' flowers cannot do. 



We have selected two for our illustration. Lycaste Skinneri alba (fig. 1) is a pure 

 white, without marking of any kind, with the exception of a pale faint tinge of yellow. 

 Lycaste Skinneri niyro-rubra (fig. 2) has the sepals pale lilac, while the lip is intense dark 

 crimson, forming a remarkable contrast to the pure white of alba. The former of these has 

 obtained a first-class certificate. 



These Lycastes succeed well in a house where the temperature does not exceed 60°, and 

 which is dry and light, not requiring, as some Orchids do, shade and moisture. 



Plate 36. 



HIBISCUS {Rosa sinensis) MINIATUS SEMIPLENUS. 



This genus contains already many very ornamental plants, both hardy and stove and 

 greenhouse, and the species Rosa sinensis, or Chinese rose, has been known for upwards of a 

 hundred years to our botanists and gardeners, both in its single and double varieties. This, 

 which has been introduced by Mr. William Bull, of the King's Eoad, Chelsea, will suc- 

 cessfully vie with any of those previously known. 



" This remarkably showy stove plant, says Mr. Bull, in his carefully drawn up and 

 beautifully illustrated catalogue, " has firm and leathery ovate leaves, which are coarsely 

 toothed, and brilliant flowers of a vermilion scarlet colour, darker towards the base of the 

 petals. The flowers are semi-double, the petals being very much waved and recurved, forming 

 an irregular undulated mass, four inches across, from which the partially petaloid staminal 

 column projects two inches. These brilliant and attractive flowers are remarkable for the 

 absence of formality, the shape being wild and abounding in fantastic curves, but neverthe- 

 less they are remarkably handsome. It has been imported from the South Sea Islands." 



The propagation of this species is simple enough. Young shoots should be placed in 

 sandy soil under a bell-glass, and then placed in bottom heat ; after they have struck they 

 should be potted off in smaLl 48-sized pots, in a mixture of peat and loam, with the addition 

 of some silver sand. The ordinary temperature of a stove suits them. They are best 

 adapted for large houses of that character, as they grow rapidly, and soon form large orna- 

 mental shrubs, when they are very attractive. 



