MARCH. 
65 
LYCASTE SKINNEEI VAE. 
[Plate 174 .] ' 
We tliis montli furnish our readers ’with a faithful representa¬ 
tion of a remarkably fine variety of this beautiful species of 
Orchidaceous plant,;^which, under good management, is justly 
considered one of the handsomest of the valuable tribe to which 
it belongs. Of L. Skinneri itself we have seen specimens 
flowered with a vigour and beauty that could not be exceeded 
even in their native haunts. On some of them the flowers 
have actually measured upwards of five inches across from the 
tips of the lateral sepals, while the latter were nearly an inch 
and a half wide in the broadest part. As regards the colours 
of-the flowers, nothing could be more delicate or pretty, the 
sepals being white faintly tinged with crimson at the base ; 
the petals of a more rosy hue, while the lip exhibited all the 
charming spottings and markings peculiar to this species. 
The present excellent variety "u^as sent, we are informed, 
along with several other distinct forms, from Guatemala, by 
G. U. Skinner, Esq., to Messrs. Veitch, Eoyal Exotic Nursery, 
King’s Eoad, Chelsea, with whom it has bloomed in beautiful 
condition. The habit of the plant, like that of the species, is 
stately, and its growth free and vigorous. It has oblong-ovate 
compressed pseudo bulbs, from the base of which spring the 
flower scapes, each terminated by a single large showy flower, 
of a thick fleshy texture. The leaves, which are large and 
plaited, grow from the top of the pseudo bulbs. The flowers 
are remarkably beautiful, being of large size and attractive 
colouring; the sepals are of a delicate rose tinted with deep 
blush; the petals of a brilliant rosy crimson; and the lip 
white, producing a contrast at once rich and striking. 
With respect to culture, the plants should be grown in well 
drained pots or shallow pans, in turfy peat, sphagnum, and 
broken charcoal; as, however, they do not root deeply, pans 
are perhaps preferable. The cool division of the Orchid house 
suits them best, i.e., where the temperature is kept at, on an 
average, about 60°. 
The soil used should be elevated above the level of the rim 
ij| 
of the pot or pan, and the plants secured to it by means of pegs 
until they have become established. After having made their 
growth in the temperature just indicated, they should be 
rested in a cooler and drier place, or they will not flower so 
finely; with vigorous growth, however, such as the conditions 
named above will ensure, and that followed by a period of rest, 
flowers may be expected to he developed in abundance. 
