July K, 1889. 3 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
39 
Pelargoniums and dark Violas, thes9 free-flowering dwarf Poppies 
are much appreciated, as they make such a pleasing contrast in 
the colour and form of their blossoms. In the front of the 
herhaceous borders, and in the most suitable places on the rockery, 
such as where the soil is deep, these Poppies flourish, commencing 
to flower early in May, continuing through the summer. Sow 
seed in gentle heat early in March, pricking the plants out in a 
cold frame when strong enough, afterwards planting them out 
finally towards the end of May, when they will commence flower¬ 
ing almost directly. In most instances, unless the position be a 
wet. one, this section of Poppies will stand the winter and flower 
more freely the following season. Of the three colours perhaps 
'the orange one is the most appreciated ; although the white is pure 
and the yellow most free in flowering, there is a charm about the 
orange variety which cannot be denied. For cutting purposes this 
section is invaluable.—M. S. 
ORCHID NOTES. 
CYPRIPEDIUMS. 
I must confess to a great liking for Cypripediums. They are 
remarkably distinct, and there is much that is attractive about 
them. They also possess the great merit of being serviceable. 
Theirs is not a fleeting visit, but we have them with us for many 
weeks or months, and I never tire of them. There are species and 
varieties for every month of the year, and a collection therefore 
would always prove interesting to its fortunate owner, and at times 
could not fail to prove attractive to less interested persons Some 
of the species and varieties are rare and valuable, so that there is 
plenty of scope for the indulgence or fascination of possessing 
something that everybody else cannot possibly expect to obtain for 
<many years to come. 
Without attempting to enumerate all worthy of general cul¬ 
ture, or to minutely describe any of them, I shall yet venture 
to name a few that would succeed almost anywhere, or at any 
Tate where there are facilities for growing other heat-loving 
plants, giving them somewhat in their order of flowering. For 
midwinter there is none to excel, or even equal, the good old 
<1. insigne, and of this there are several superior forms, including 
Maulei and punctatum violaceum. These will succeed under 
greenhouse culture, but thrive far better when kept in a brisk 
moist heat till the young growths are well developed, or say to the 
end of June, after which they ought to be transferred to cold 
frames and shaded from bright sunshine till the autumn, being 
^returned to gentle heat or a warm greenhouse to unfold the already 
well-advanced flowers. If kept in strong heat all the year they are 
liable to do little else but grow strongly, while if given no heat 
bey md what is necessary to exclude frost the growth is frequently 
we ikly and unhealthy. It is really surprising what a great demand 
exists for this old favourite, and those who have more plants than 
they need will experience no difficulty in exchanging them for 
other Orchids. 
C. venustum and C. Boxalli also flower during the winter and 
•early spring months ; both possess strong constitutions, and 
nerer fail to flower freely in a moderately warm house, in which 
they are grown. Ours are always in a mixed fernery, and are but 
little trouble. In March, and until the end of July, C. barbatum 
and varieties are available. Especially good are C barbatum 
wigrum and superbum, and whether as single pieces or in large 
made-up pans they are most effective and durable. They ought 
never to be out of a moderately warm house for many weeks 
together. 
C Sedeni and C. Argus are also spring-flowering forms, and of 
■easy culture. C. Lawrencianum, with its prettily yellow variegated 
leaves, flowers in the summer, and is useful for exhibition purposes 
from May to August. The flowers resemble those of the C. bar- 
'batum type, and the plants require similar treatment to that soecies. 
C. caudatum is remarkably distinct, the “ tails ” of the flowers 
sometimes attaining a length of 2 feet. It evidently delights in 
p'enty of heat and moisture, and flowers freely in May, June, and 
•sometimes as late as July. This, and the variety raised from it— 
C. Dominianura, ought to be in every collection. The last-named 
is the most free-flowering, but the flowers are smaller and the tails 
shorter. 
C. Lowianum, C. laevigatum, C. Stoneanum, and C. Harrisi- 
anum are good summer-flowering species. Autumn bloomers are 
not very numerous, but comprise a few gems, notably the charming 
C. Spicerianum. This lovely species has nearly pure white flowers, 
and thrives admirably in a brisk stove heat. The pretty little 
C. niveum, though far from being robust, also does well under 
similar treatment, and this flowers in November and December. 
C. concolor has mottled foliage, and white prettily spotted flowers, 
quite small plants producing these during the winter. C. bellatulum, 
previously noted in these pages, is a grand addition to the C. Gode- 
froyse section. _ 
Cypripediums generally are best kept in ordinary freely drained 
pots, and a compost consisting of fibrous peat with charcoal, sphag¬ 
num moss, and sand freely added suits them. Too often they are 
found in a mass of sour close compost, in which they keep alive a 
surprisingly long time, but only present a very unhappy appear¬ 
ance. They are worthy of better treatment, and ought therefore 
to be at once turned out of the pots and the roots washed clear of 
the sour soil. After all the dead parts have been cleanly cut away 
repot in quite fresh compost, using as small pots as they can con¬ 
veniently be placed in, and water carefully till fresh roots are in 
full possession. It is a mistake to be alwavs pulling Cypripediums 
to pieces and repotting, this greatly interfering with the flowering ; 
but it does crowded clumps of the commoner species good to be 
divided occasionally, the fresh pans formed soon filling up, and 
finer flowers are the result. 
As far as heat and shade are concerned, what suits most heat- 
loving Ferns also agrees with Cypripediums. Those well established 
should, when growing strongly, receive abundance of water, much 
less being naturally required during the duller months of the year, 
but at no time should they become dust-dry at the roots. A little 
clear soot water or weak liquid manure may well be given to the 
strong well-rooted plants, and a top-dressing of either peat or very 
fibrous loam benefits the C. insigne type especially.—I. M. H. 
ONCIDIUM CRISPUM GRA.NDIFLORUM. 
At the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Orchid 
Committee at Chiswick last week Mr. J. Charleswortn, Heaton, 
FIG. 5.—ONCIDIUM CKISPUM GRANDIFLORUM. 
Bradford, sent six remarkably vigorous panicles of Oncidium 
crispum bearing the name grandiflorum. The flowers were of 
great size (over 3 inches in diameter), the sepals and petals deep 
brown with some yellow markings, the base of the lip having a 
broad rich yellow band. It is evident that the plants must have 
been grown very strongly, and the cultural commendation re- 
