322 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
April 86, ISW. 
Dendrobium Ecryalus. 
At the meeting of the Royal Horticultnral Society, held on 
March 27th, Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic Nurseries, 
Chelsea, exhibited a plant of Dendrobium Euryalus, for which a 
first-class certificate was awarded. This is a hybrid, being the 
result of a cross between D. nobile and D. Ainsworthi. The 
illustration (fig. 52, page 315) represents a flower of this Orchid, 
having been prepared from a sketch taken on the above-mentioned 
occasion. The sepals and petals are bright rosy mauve, as is the 
front lobe of the lip. Dark rich crimson is the characteristic colour 
of the throat, which has also a distinct white margin. 
Epidendrum Ellisi. 
The accompanying illustration (fig. 53) represents a raceme of 
Epidendrum Ellisi, a new species, which was exhibited at the Drill 
Hall, Westminster, on the 10th inst. by Welbore S. Ellis, Esq., 
Hazelbourne, Dorking. The specimen shown attracted some atten¬ 
tion, being of a pleasing colour. The sepals and petals are a bright 
rosy mauve shade, the lip being lilac passing to nearly white at the 
edge. This species is said to have been introduced from Columbia, 
and has been named by Mr. Rolfe of Kew. A first-class certificate 
was awarded for this Epidendrum by the Orchid Committee of the 
Royal Horticultural Society on the occasion mentioned. 
A Work on Orchids. 
MM. Th. and E. Durand, of Brussels, are preparing for 
publication, with the assistance of other orchidologists, a “ Census 
Orchidearum.” “ Nature ” says : “ In this work will be enumerated 
about 8000 species of Orchids, with their synonyms, spontaneous 
or cultivated varieties, and natural or artificial hybrids. For each 
species will be given the place and date of first publication, a 
reference to the figures, and the geographical distribution. The 
work will probably extend over more than 1000 pages, and is 
intended to be published in five fascicules, at 6 francs the fascicule 
to subscribers.” 
Bletia hyacinthina. 
Notwithstanding that this Bletia was introduced nearly a 
century ago, it still retains a prominent position in many col¬ 
lections of choice Orchids. That it deserves this distinction there 
can be no doubt, for when seen at its best a plant laden with 
blooms presents a charming appearance. The flowers vary some¬ 
what in colour from pale rosy purple to a dark shade, and are 
borne on scapes about a foot or so in height. Bletia hyacinthina ie 
comparatively easy to grow, thriving well in a cool temperature. 
So far as my experience goes it should be grown in a pot, using a 
compost of fibrous peat, loam, leaf soil, and sand, providing ample 
drainage.—0. 
Phal^nopsis Culture. 
No genus of Orchids can surpass this for the magnificence of 
its flowers, or for the grace and elegance with which these are 
displayed. Their culture can hardly be called difficult, but they 
require care and watchfulness, or good results will not be attained. 
To keep Phalaenopsis in health the roots must be firmly adhering 
to something or another, and though they cling more tenaciously 
to wood than to anything else it does not follow that it is the best 
material to use, for when this decays it will be found that the 
roots will not take kindly to a new block or basket. Pots are of 
course more lasting, and plants grown in these do not suffer so 
much when repotted as do others cultivated in wooden receptacles of 
any kind ; partly because with the latter it is very difficult to detach 
the roots, while with the pots a tap with the hammer and a little 
careful manipulation is all that is necessary, and also because the 
roots that have been growing among the potsherds will more readily 
take to their new home. 
The pots should be nearly filled with clean drainage, and the 
plants placed on this with a little sphagnum about the roots, the 
amount of moss used being in proportion to the habit of the 
species. Strong growers such as P. amabilis and P. Schilleriana 
require more moss than such small growing plants as P. Lowi and 
P. Esmeralda, but even the strongest roots cannot endure being 
deeply embedded in moss, and potsherds or charcoal must always be 
freely intermixed. 
The leaves of Phalsenopsis are very sensitive and susceptible to 
checks owing to sudden changes in the atmosphere, no matter 
whether the plants are growing or at rest; in fact, the latter 
period is the more trying to the grower, and many good leaves- 
are produced in the summer which for want of proper consolidation 
by light and air, or from other causes will be lost in the winter, 
and a season’s work has to be gone over again. This must be 
guarded against by judicious summer and autumn treatment; a. 
well-balanced atmosphere as to air, heat, and moisture should 
always be maintained, the shading being gradually increased aa 
the season advances, and similarly diminished as the days shorten, 
and any excess of fire heat at night carefully avoided. Thus the 
plants will obtain natural and regular periods of growth and rest, 
and no undue excitement at any time. 
With regard to watering at the roots always be guided by the 
growth ; if this is active, water freely, but let the roots have an 
occasional drying in the middle of the day. When the growth is 
complete gradually diminish the supply, and be sure they are quite 
dry before more water is given, until in the middle of the winter 
scarcely any will be needed, the little moisture in the atmosphere 
keeping the leaves plump. Phalsenopsis must not be heavily 
watered on the foliage at any time, and when in active growth a 
light spraying from the syringe is all that is required, even on the 
hottest days. Insects are not usually very troublesome, and may 
be kept in check by ordinary vigilance. 
Orchids at Salisbury. 
A visit to the gardens at Harnham Cliff, the residence of Capt. 
Greenwood, is always well repaid, and to anyone interested in 
Orchids it will be especially so at the present time. The houses 
devoted to these plants are extremely attractive, owing to the 
number of species in flower and their healthy appearance. 
Some good specimens of various Cypripediums are arranged in 
an intermediate house, among the most noteworthy being a very 
fine plant of 0. bellatulum, having twelve vigorous growths with 
foliage of great substance, and bearing three spikes all twin flowered. 
There is also a grand form of C. Lowi, with spike bearing three 
flowers, each upwards of 7 inches across. The petals are light 
green tipped with mauve, and having several chocolate spots near 
the base. The dorsal sepal is light and the pouch of a dull bronzy 
green. This latter is a newly imported plant, and when thoroughly 
established will no doubt prove a valuable variety. Cypripediums 
Sedeni, Schlimi, callosum, concolor, and Boxalli are also in flower ; 
while C. Chamberlainianum, C. Curtisi, C. Lawrencianum, C, Roth- 
schildianum, and others are showing strong spikes. 
Dendrobiums are represented by well flowered plants of 
D. Ainsworthi, D. Brymerianum, D. densiflorum, D. fimbriatum 
oculatum, a beautiful form of the old D. nobile, and the quaint 
little D. pulcbellum. D. Devonianum is past, but as evidence of 
what it had been I counted on one pseudo-bulb over eighty 
withered flowers ; and D. crassinode Barberianum, with pseudo 
bulbs a yard in length, bore traces of recent floriferousness. 
Cattleya Schroderiana is in good form, as also is Angrsecum 
sesquipedale, Chysis bractescens, Maxillaria Harrisoniae, and 
Oncidium ampliatum majus, and the strongly scented Dendrochilum 
glumaceum is flowering freely. 
Among the Odontoglossums, note must be made of O. cir- 
rhosum, with a spike bearing twenty-two flowers ; 0. Halli and 
0. luteo-purpureum, with sixteen and fourteen respectively ; and 
a singular form imported last season as O. triumphans, with the 
habit of that species, but with flowers more nearly resembling 
0. luteo-purpureum. O. Cervantesi and the variety decorum, 
O. Edwardi, and O. pulchellum are also in bloom, while O. vexil- 
larium gives promise of a splendid show in the near future. In a 
low warm pit Phalsenopsis Stuartiana and P. Schilleriana are 
evidently quite at home, and the same may be said of Eulophiella 
Elizabeths and Vanda teres. 
Orchids are by no means the only plants that are well grown at 
Harnham Cliff, but time will only allow of a passing reference to 
some truly magnificent Cyclamens, and Mr. A. Robey is to be 
congratulated on his success with these plants, which cannot fail to 
excite admiration.—H. R. R. 
Orchids at Rodwell Hall, Trowbridge. 
The two houses devoted to Orchids in Mrs. Goldsmith’s well- 
kept gardens are always interesting, but at the present time 
Odontoglossums now claim most attention. Mr. George Pymm 
has often proved himself a strong rival among district growers in 
competition, the general excellence of the plants proving him 
to be an enthusiast, as well as a successful cultivator. 
Among the Odontoglossums in flower are two forms of 
O. Cervantesi decorum growing in a pan, one being the ordinary, 
the other a vastly superior variety. The flower of the latter is 
heavily spotted, of large size, and handsomely shaped. The same 
