September 1, 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTaGE GARDENER. 
179 
C YPRIPEDITTM PRA13TAN3. 
This very interesting Cypripedium was shown by M. Linden of 
Brussels at the last meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, 
and attracted much attention by its being introduced from New' 
Guinea. It presents a peculiar combination of the characters of 
several species—C. Stonei, C. Rcebelini, and C. Parishi being all 
represented in some portion of the flower, but the resemblance of 
the lip to that of C. Stonei is very marked, the sepals and petals 
partaking more of those of the other two species. The dorsal 
sepal is light yellow with dark bars, very distinct and clearly 
defined ; the petals are 4 or 5 inches long, twisted, 
and undulated at the base, which is green with 
a dark central bar margined with a number of 
dark beads and a few hairs ; the upper portion 
of the petals is green, slightly veined with a 
darker shade. The lip is pale green, with fine 
slightly darker veins, and the staminode is of a 
darker yellow tint than the rest of the flower, 
with small nodules at the side and a fringe of fine 
hairs. Though the plant exhibited was small, a 
vigorous habit was indicated, and C. praestans pro¬ 
mises to make a fine addition to the list of these 
Orchids in cultivation. 
We are indebted to M. Linden for the fol¬ 
lowing particulars :—Cypripedium praestans was 
introduced into Europe at the beginning of 
December, 1886. Professor Reichenbach, who 
described it soon after its arrival, from some 
specimens preserved in alcohol, announced it 
to the orchidists as “ a very great surprise.” It 
had formed part of an important con¬ 
signment from New Guinea sent by the 
Lindenian collectors, who were then, 
and still are, exploring that mysterious 
island, so rich in beauti¬ 
ful plants of all species, 
but so dangerous to “ open 
up.” This consignment, 
which was expected to 
contain other marvel¬ 
lous species of Cypripe- 
diums, Vandas, Phalse- 
uopses, Dendrobiums. &c., 
arrived in Europe, after 
numerous delays, while 
severe frosts were being 
experienced, and very few 
plants could be saved ; 
nearly all perished with 
■the exception of a few 
dozen of Cypripedium 
prsestans and a few other 
■Orchids. In the month of 
March the surviving 
plants passed into the 
hands of the new Society 
just founded by Messrs. 
Linden at the “ Parc Leo¬ 
pold," Brussels. This 
new establishment, con¬ 
structed specially for the 
■introduction of Orchids, 
will be inaugurated at an 
•early date, and will be 
of great importance. The 
company, which has taken 
over existing missions 
in search of new plants, 
and organised several 
others, received in May 
•of the present year from 
■a fresh consignment, which 
the commencement of 
the same quarter of New Guinea, 
o - 1 - arrived this time in the best condi- 
tion. Amongst other species of great value were some fine 
roots of Cypripedium prsestans ; this species is thus now per¬ 
fectly represented in Europe. It was in the month of June last 
that a specimen of the first importation flowered for the first time, 
it was a plant much more vigorous than that which appeared at the 
meeting of the 23rd of August at South Kensington. The flower 
steni bore five large blooms expanded at once. This inflorescence 
nas been sent to Professor Reichenbach after having served for the 
portrait which will appear, together with Catasetum Bungerothi 
var. Pottsianum (a charming variety, dotted with carmine, of that 
•other beautiful introduction due this year to the investigations of 
the Lindenian collectors) in “ Lindenia ” at 
the present month. 
SOBRALIA MACRANTHA. 
This is a beautiful Orchid, and although the individual blooms 
do not last long, others quickly follow, therefore a succession is 
produced over a lengthened period. It is a plant of comparatively 
easy culture, and may be successfully grown in an ordinary plant 
stove ; in fact, the conditions of such a structure appear to suit it 
exactly. It will also thrive satisfactorily in the East Indian house 
(with Aerides, Vandas, Saccolabiums, and other heat-loving plants), 
where the winter temperature, from October to 
March, ranges from 65° to 70° at night, accord¬ 
ing to the weather, with a rise by day of 5° or 
10°, the summer temperature of the same 
structureJieing kept 70° to 75° at night, and 
80 J to 90° by day, or even higher by sun heat. 
Sobralia macrantha will also grow luxuriantly 
in the Mexican house with many Oncidiums, 
Cattleyas, Lselias, and others that require a 
winter temperature of 60 : at night, falling 2° 
or 3° towards morning during severe weather ; 
summer temperature, 65° to 70° at nmht with 
a rise of 10° or 15° by day. It would be diffi¬ 
cult to say under which of these conditions it 
does best ; we prefer, however, to subject our 
plants to the temperature of the Mexican 
house. 
During the season of growth it requires a 
moist atmosphere and light shade, but the plant 
must only be protected from the strong rays of the 
sun. Overshading must not be prac¬ 
tised, for abundance of light is essential 
to solidify the growth as it is made, 
and such growth is iessential for free 
flowering. Liberal sup¬ 
plies of water should 
be given and the foliage 
syringed, but during 
the season of rest con¬ 
siderably less water is 
needed ; in fact, only 
sufficient to keep the 
roots and stems 
healthy. The supply 
must be gradually in¬ 
creased as the season 
advances, as well as 
the amount of mois¬ 
ture in the atmosphere, 
and at the completion 
of growth it must be 
carefully and gradually 
diminished. 
In potting, the com¬ 
post should not be 
raised above the rim 
of the pots, as is the 
case with many Or¬ 
chids. It is best 
grown in p^ts, drained, 
say 3 inches in a 12-inch 
pot, and more in pro¬ 
portion according to 
the size used. The 
compost should con¬ 
sist of rough fibrous 
peat in which mode- 
rate-sized lumps of 
charcoal may be freely 
, intermixed. When 
plants become too large they bear division much better than many 
Orchids, and if this is done just before the roots start growing, 
good flowering plants soon become established.—M. B. S. 
ODONTOGLOSSUJf VEXILLARIUM. 
Varieties of O. vexillarium are numerous, but one, of which r. 
flower has been sent by Mr. James Cypher, is very distinct and 
pretty. It is one of the medium-flowered forms, with bright rosy 
petals ; the sepals lighter but well proportioned ; the lip large, deep 
crimson at the base, white at the margin, and the upper pirt rosy 
purple. It is a well-shaped flower, but the colouring renders it 
remarkable. 
Fig. 24. —Cypripedium pb,estans. 
