50 
FLORA AND SYLVA 
THE GENUS CYMBIDIUM, WITH 
A COLOURED PLATE OF C. P AR- 
ISHII SANDERiE.* 
The chief reason why many of the 
strong-growing and handsome Orchids 
from high altitudes are not more gener- 
ally grown in gardens, is that an Orchid- 
house is thought to be necessary for 
them. But a very good selection of 
Orchids can be made (including the 
showiest of the Cymbidiums), which 
would thrive in any warm greenhouse 
or conservatory with no more care than 
is given to many less worthy plants and 
at no greater cost than for ordinary 
greenhouse stock. A warmed conserva- 
tory is the adjunct to many modern 
dwellings and in such structures Cym- 
bidium giganteum^ C. Lowianum^ C. 
Tracy a?iiim^ and other large-growing 
species and hybrids, thrive well, and 
their foliage, fresh and bright at all 
seasons, renders them excellent orna- 
ments, especially if the larger plants are 
raised on pedestals or the prominent 
points of rockeries — where such are 
available. To crown other good qualities 
their long sprays of showy flowers open 
frequently in winter and spring, and last 
in good condition for a long time. In- 
cidentally it should be mentioned that 
the same remarks apply to the Green- 
leaved , or Seleiiipedimn section of Cypri- 
pedium^novj become (through the eiforts 
of the hybridist) a very large group of 
plants and well within the reach of those 
who care for pretty and lasting flowers, 
those of the Sedeni class being almost 
perpetual bloomers. 
The Cymbidiums thrive 
Culture. , . •' ,. ^ 
best m ordmary flower- 
pots, filled to about one-third with 
broken crocks. Being strong growers 
with fleshy roots they require ample pot- 
room, and, for a compost, equal parts 
of fibrous peat and turfy yellow loam, 
with a sprinkling of sand and sphagnum 
moss. They need a copious supply of 
rain-water while growing, and the 
stronger kinds are helped at that season 
by occasional waterings of very weak 
liquid manure. All the kinds in culti- 
vation are evergreen and do not need 
drying off^ when not actively growing, 
though a less supply of water at the roots 
should then be given. An advantage of 
giving fairly large pots is that the plants 
escape repotting for several years, and 
flower all the better for growing un- 
disturbed. 
A warm greenhouse (55° 
to 6 5 ° Fahr.) or conserva- 
tory, or what is called the Intermediate 
Orchid-house, suits these plants best, 
but the stronger kinds are so easy to 
grow that reasonable extremes of heat 
and cold do not affect them, when once 
at home in their quarters. 
The genus Cymbidium was founded 
bySwartzin 1799 for some true species, 
with other plants not really belonging 
to it, and for a considerable time the 
genus (like Epidendrum and Limo- 
dorum) was made a refuge for Orchids 
now known to belong to other genera. 
More recent review with fuller material, 
has reduced it to a reasonable limit, the 
main innovation being the classing of 
Cs. elegansj Mastersii^ and cochleare 
Temperature. 
From a drawing by H. G. Moon in the Nurseries, St Albans. 
