4 
ACQUISITIONS AND LOSSES 
Few plants worthy of note here were introduced during the year. A white 
variety of Salvia coccinea, the seed of which came from the Botanic Gardens 
at Perideniya in Ceylon, promises to be a pleasing bedding plant; and Lantana 
trifolia, which came from Italy, is unusual because of its spikes of lilac berries. 
The white Bougainvillea mentioned in previous reports, which has been planted 
out near the office, is now beginning to Gower freely. It is easy to propagate 
and is now being made available to the public. 
A curious incident occurred when a tall palm near the Laboratory 
(Corypha gebanga) was struck by lightning. This palm grows to its full size 
in about 25 years, then flowers and dies. This particular specimen must have 
been close to maturity, for the lightning apparently shocked it into a premature 
and poor flowering, very unlike the enormous and spectacular plume which 
occurs under normal circumstances. The lightning also stripped the base of 
the trunk of an accumulation of epiphytic ferns and orchids and threw the 
debris in all directions for a distance of several yards. 
An ugly gap in Maranta Avenue was caused by the fall of a large Parkia 
Roxburghii which brought down with it two other trees. The stumps of these 
trees are quickly hidden by foliage plants and small palms. 
THE LAKE 
The Sacred Lotus Lily, Nelumbium speciosum, which carries its leaves 
and flowers high above the surface of the water, has spread rapidly after what 
must have been an accidental introduction of it a few years ago, and although 
it is al picturesque and beautiful plant, it is in danger of becoming a pest and 
crowding out the smaller Water Lilies (Nymphaea) which have floating leaves 
and flowers. 
A curious water-fern, Salvinia auriculata, was introduced from Bogor and 
put in the Lake early in the year. This has also spread rapidly and covers 
large patches. It is more easily controlled than the Nelumbium, as it floats on 
the surface and can be skimmed off. 
ARBORETUM 
This area was cleared of undergrowth, unwanted seedlings and thickets. 
ORCHIDS AND SUCCULENTS 
The production of orchid hybrids proceeded as in previous years, but 
it so happens that fewer new hybrids than usual have flowered during 1952 
Amongst these, however, are some of interest and quality. The finest no 
doubt, was Vanda Tan Chav Yan, a cross between Vanda Josephine van 
Brero (itself a hybrid of Vanda teres and Vanda insignis) and Vanda Dearei 
a Bornean species. The seed of this cross was presented to the Gardens by 
Mr. H. S. Tan and the first seedling flowered under the care of Mr. Tan Siew 
Kuah. The flowers are large—about 9 cm. across—and well-shaped, and the 
general colour is orange-peach with some orchid purple and a few crimson 
spots. Two similar Vanda hybrids which flowered for the first time are Vanda 
Wong Peng Soon (called after the World Badminton Champion) and Vanda 
Sir Man Kam Lo. Both these crosses were made by Mr. John Laycock and 
both have proved to be remarkably free flowering. A good new Dendrobium 
is D. Rosalind Lee, the parents of which are Dendrobium Medusa and Den¬ 
drobium stratiotes. An interesting bigeneric cross between Vanda lissochiloides 
and Arachnis Ishbel flowered this year, but has taken twelve years to do so. 
Such crosses are called Vandachnis and our one has been christened V. Scarlet 
Runner. It is the second Vandachnis to be recorded; only one plant exists. 
