4 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ January li 189Ii 
s 
MASDEVALLIAS AND DISAS. 
[A paner by Mr. E. BURBERRY, Orchid Grower to the Riglit lion. J. Chamberlain. M.P. 
Highbury, Birmingham. Bead at a Meeting of the Birmingham Gardeners’ 
A6.sociation ] 
Of what are termed cool house Orchids the Masdevallias and the 
Disas are the most beautiful. There are some among them it is true that 
lack both size and gay colours ; but to lovers of quaint and curious 
■flowers these little gems are the most interesting of all cool Orchids, 
■while the larger and more brilliant varieties should satisfy the most 
fastidious. I will first take the Masdevallias, a large genus, embracing 
■upwards of 150 distinct species. They are natives of Central America, 
from Peru to Mexico, where they are found in mountainous regions from 
5000 to 8000 feet above the level of the sea, growing by the side of 
streams, and in other moderately cool and damp situations. 
Masdevallias had undoubtedly been somewhat neglected previously 
to the last few years, owing to the fact that the few first introduced 
into this country, such as M. infracta, M. floribunda, and M. triangularis, 
were of an inferior character ; but within this last twenty years many 
new and beautiful forms have been i^mported, and it is thought that there 
are yet others to come which will surpass anything we have at present. 
I think there is yet a great future for them. They are being taken up 
by nearly all Orchid growers in a most spirited manner, some having 
formed whilst others are forming complete collections. How brilliant 
and rich in cilours some of the Masdevallias are ! what a range 
from the darkest red to the most exquisite shades of purple and scarlet, 
snowy white and golden yellow ! Who can see Masdevallias Veitchiana, 
ignea, Plarryana, Lindeni, Davisi, tovarensis, and rosea, grouped to¬ 
gether in flower without admiration, and wondering why the Masdevallia 
is not better known and more largely grown by amateurs in general ? 
Then there are those which are most interesting on account of their 
quaint forms and peculiar colours, their minute flowers, and in some 
the foliage, as in M. tridactylites and M. triglochin to the bold M. 
macrura, and M. trochilus, and the wonderful Chimmra section. 
What a field of study for the amateur and professional alike is a col¬ 
lection of these Orchids. 
Picture a small house (for a large one is not necessary, these plants 
are of compact growth and need but little space) with from 100 to 200 
distinct varieties, of various shapes, sizes, and colours. There are 
always some in flower, for when well grown they produce flowers in 
abundance, some twice a year and others continually. Then again there 
are chances of adding to the collection by the grower’s own pains and 
perseverance, for the Masdevallia submits readily to the hybridiser, is 
easily fertilised, and new forms are thus obtained. Many have been 
raised, some of which are in commerce ; amongst them is the beautiful 
M. Chelsoni, which was the first hybrid of this genus raised in Europe, 
its parents being M. Veitchi and M. amabilis. If their beauty, and 
the value of some for decorative purposes, the graceful habit when not 
in bloom, the easy growth, and the small outlav with which they can 
be obtained and grown were better known, this remarkable family of 
Orchids would find a home in many gardens if all others were excluded. 
As I have said the Masdevallia will do credit to the cultivator, and 
it has, as an Orchid, two things in its favour first, instead of “be¬ 
coming beautifully less,” it will increase in size, and in time make 
handsome specimens, if the growers only give it rational treatment. 
Secondly, if this rational treatment is not forthcoming these plants, 
having no pseudo-bulbs, will die out of the way. I will endeavour to 
illustrate how Masdevallias succeed with me. I will, in the first place, 
describe the house and the position thereof. Although it is an Orchid 
which adapts itself readily to cool house culture, yet I find a lean-to 
having an east, north, or west aspect, suit it best ; anywhere as long as 
it is well sheltered from the sun. On no account must ic be a south 
aspect, for the Masdevallia is a cold and moisture loving plant, and 
therefore requires shade. No matter if it is in a position surrounded 
by walls or buildings, leaving on’y the north, east, or west aspect, so 
much the better, for this is the house I prefer. In addition to this plant 
loving shade and moisture, it also delights in a uniform and even 
temperature, sudden fluctuation being most detrimental. And there it 
is snug, and sheltered from the sun and winds, hot, dry or cold, and 
there it is easy to maintain an atmosphere wherein the plants will revel. 
The house should be built upon the giound level, not sunk below the 
surface, well ventilated, with a good supply of soft water, and with' 
open stages. The general idea is that the Orchid house is not complete- 
if it has not closed stages, with some moisture retaining material placed 
thereon. I acknowledge that moisture is most necessary, but it is better 
not to obstruct the free passage of air. Air and moisture together con¬ 
stitute the key-note of success. Both are absolutely necessary ; but let 
one be in excess of the other and the results are soon apparent. One- 
result is this, a few leaves on a plant look a trifle sickly ; touch the- 
plant, and many, if not the whole of the leaves, fall to the ground.. 
The best Orchids that I have ever grown, and the best that I have 
ever seen, have been grown on open stages, therefore I am of opinion 
that it is the right principle to adopt. I do not mean to infer by 
describing this house and position so minutely that it is absolutely 
required for the culture of these plants ; for instance, where the- 
Odontoglossum and other cool Orchids grow successfully, there also at 
the warmest end will the Masdevallia thrive, let it be a lean-to, span- 
roof, or otherwise. Knowledge has simply to overcome difficulties, and' 
there are sure to be some in every house, but in the one I have describecd 
there are the least. 
In making a purchase plants that are established are preferable, for 
newly imported plants are difficult to establish and frequently die.- 
Great care must, therefore, be taken if imported plants are secured. At 
first hang them up by the roots in a shady part of the house, giving no¬ 
water direct. Signs of life will soon appear, the leaves becoming too 
plump. When this takes place a gentle watering occasionally will do 
no harm, and soon the new roots will make an appearance, when they 
should be potted or in baskets, according to their varieties, using pots 
that are just large enough to receive the roots, filling up any little space- 
with a little sphagnum. Water sparingly till the plants are fairly 
established, when they may be potted in the usual way, and prepared 
for the general treatment. 
The potting material I use for these plants consists of equal parts o 
sphagnum moss and fibrous peat (not necessarily all fibre), a few half- 
decayed leaves, rubbed fine through a sieve, with a liberal quantity of 
eoarse silver sand. The sphagnum and peat are chopped up rather small 
and mixed with the leaves and sand. A little good fibre loam may be- 
added with advantage for the strong growing kinds. 
For potting I prefer the early spring—February or the beginning oF 
March. Examine every one. Those that require larger pots should have- 
all decayed matter removed from the roots and be repotted in new- 
material. If wall potted previously it will be in one mass, grown and- 
rooted firmly together, and the old eompost can be shaken away without 
the plant falling to pieces ; should it, however, present a loose and 
scattered appearance place it in the centre of the p-ot, si that it may 
grow together. Do not overpot. A space of 1 inch between the breaks 
and the rim is quite sufficient; this will furnish a good criterion as to the 
size of the pots to use. The pots should bs half filled with crocks. The 
plant can then be held in the position it is intended it should grow,, 
slightly elevated above the rim, the roots carefully handled, evenly- 
distributed, and the compost packed in moderately firm between and 
around, leaving a firm, even, and pleasing surface rising from the rim. 
upwar'ls to the base of the leaves. 
Do not pot unnecessarily ; repotting Orchids is a necessary evil. If 
Masdevallias have room to grow, and the roots are in good condition, do' 
not disturb them by any means, but simply top dress. A plant once- 
properly potted and watered should last for two years, and all that it 
will require is to be top dressed ; this should be done twice a year, in% 
spring and autumn, and the cleaner the surface, the pots, and other- 
surroundings are kept, so much the better will the cultivator be- 
rewarded. continued.) 
THE WINTER MOTH. 
The severe weather has for a time prevented these pests* 
depositing their eggs, but my experience is that sharp frost has no 
injurious effects on the eggs already laid, so that it would be folly 
to think that their vitality is in the least impaired. A very gratify¬ 
ing result has followed our spraying with Paris green, &c., last 
spring, scarcely a moth being seen in our fruit plantation, while they 
have been very plentiful only a few hundred yards away from it. 
As stated, this I attribute to repeated sprayings and to poultry, the 
latter having done an immense amount of good. On previous years 
the first winter moth was observed about October the 8th. This 
year the first I noticed was on November 15th, -n-hich was a 
female I discovered on the trees when pruning ; since then I have 
not found a female in the plantation. I think this will prove that 
untiring energy in combatting the enemy will meet with its due 
