7 
32. During the year 215 pollinations were made, of which 70 of the 
crosses have produced good viable seeds and are now growing in flasks. Seeds 
from the cross Euanthe sanderiana x Vanda Tan Chay Yan are growing well 
and the results may well be spectacular. Three very good hybrids—Vandanthe 
Nellie Morley, Vanda Jean Kinlock Smith and Dendrobium Pompodour var. 
Phra Taba have so far not produced any fertile seeds when crossed with other 
species and hybrids. Good plants were received of Vandanthe Nellie Morley, 
Hawaii’s best semi-terete hybrid, and Euanthe sanderiana in exchange for 
plants of Vanda Tan Chay Yan. while reciprocal exchange was arranged with 
Messrs. William Kirch of Hawaii, from whom were received some of the latest 
Hawaiian hybrids. A number of new hybrids flowered for the first time, of 
which the best were: Dendrobium Gillian, (D. Caesar x D. Champagne), which 
is more robust than Dendrobium Caesar, although resembling it in colour; 
Aeridanchnis Sweet Maggie (Arachnis Maggie Oei x Aerides odoratum ) with 
small attractive flowers which are very freely produced; Dendrobium Lim 
Chong Min (D. phalaenopsis var. schroederianum x D. Caesar) which is far 
superior to an earlier cross made with D. phalaenopsis var. alba; and Dendro¬ 
bium undulatum selfed, of which an orange-brown variety stayed in bloom for 
over two months. Descriptions of the new orchid hybrids were published in the 
M.A.H.A. Magazine of the Malayan Agri-Horticultural Society. 
33. Vanda Tan Chay Yan continues to be very popular, both locally 
and overseas, and the demand for plants exceeds supplies. Shoots (anaks) are 
not easily produced from the base of cut plants, but this was accelerated by 
using the paste of Hortomone A with water, which was copiously applied to 
the axils of the leaves and nodes. 
34. When there is unavoidable delay in potting up seedlings from the 
flask stage these tend to shrivel. This was remedied by feeding with organic 
fertilizers, usually fish emulsion. The use of Vacin’s formula for the flasks was 
continued, but the incorporation of fish emulsion during growth is found to be 
beneficial. In the seedling houses the seedlings received weekly dressings of 
solutions of inorganic fertilizers. Trouble was still experienced with the drainage 
holes of the thumb pots being blocked by algae, but this was overcome by 
putting the pots in a layer of coke about two inches deep, and the plants made 
excellent growth. Sterameal was used for feeding the larger seedlings. 
35. Selected orchid flowers have been sent from time to time to the 
fortnightly shows of the Royal Horticultural Society in London and also the 
Chelsea Show. On several occasions the blooms arrived in poor condition, 
although Dendrobium Caesar was given special mention. Bouquets of orchids 
were also sent on occasions to Malaya House in London and were displayed in 
their window facing Trafalgar Square. Orchids from the Gardens were also 
exhibited at flower shows in Karachi and Sydney. One of the new hybrids, 
Arandanthe Tyersall var. Bulan, was awarded a cup for the best hybrid pro¬ 
duced in Malaya and Java at the Singapore Flower Show. 
(iii) SUCCULENTS 
36. A new succulent house was built in the orchid enclosure and most 
of the collection was moved down from Lawn X. The number of species grown 
was added to during the year by seeds sent in exchange by Botanic Gardens 
elsewhere and we now have some 400 species. Most cacti and other succulents 
grow surprisingly well in Singapore, provided they are sheltered from the 
rain, and the new open-sided house with a glass roof suits them admirably. 
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