540 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 24, 1886. 
culture requires great judgment and watchfulness on 
the part of the cultivator to so arrange the growth of 
his plants and their resting season that he does not 
push them for more than twelve months’ work in a 
year. 
It is therefore better and safer to aim to grow all 
things in as cool a temperature as possible consistent 
with getting a good growth on them. But little harm, 
however, would be done by heat if the evidence of the 
newly-pushing growths was takeu as the one for putting 
them into a high temperature, and they were kept well 
supplied with rain-water while there, and removed to 
cool and more airy quarters when their growths were 
matured. There is no doubt that the greater part of the 
Phalsenopses, Aerides, &c., are destroyed by being kept 
too hot and close, while they should be inactive in 
winter. Why people cannot be guided by the starting 
new leaves of Phalsenopsis and Aerides as with the 
coming new growths of Dendrobes as to the proper time 
to give more heat and moisture, I cannot say, but neglect 
of this trifling matter is the most prolific cause of mor¬ 
tality among them .—James 0’Bricn.\ 
Another high priced Odontoglossum.— 
On Monday last Messrs. F. Sander & Co. included 
in their sale of rare Orchids, at Protheroe and Morris’ 
Rooms, a superb form of Odontoglossum Alexandra, 
which in form, size, and spotting surpassed everything 
in its way. The sepals and petals were almost equally 
broad, nearly half of their surfaces being taken up with 
large crimson blotches, round which the even broad 
pure white margin looked very effective. It was 
marked by judges as a red letter plant, and the 
bidding, which began at 50 guineas, soon reached Mr. 
Lee’s 100 guineas, and after some exciting competition 
between Sir Trevor Lawrence and Baron Schroder, the 
Baron secured it at 160 guineas, being only 5 guineas 
less than he paid last week at Stevens’ for the yellow 
Pescatorei. A good general sale was effected, the pieces 
of Cypripedium Godefroyse, in some cases, fetching from 
20 to 25 guineas each, and all other good things pro¬ 
portionate values. Among the best prices realised were 
Cattleya Laurenceana, forty bulbs, 26 guineas ; Lselia 
elegans Turnerii, 28 guineas ; Odontoglossum hybrid, 
a very pretty one, 18 guineas ; YandaSanderiana, a fine 
double plant, 40 guineas ; Cypripedium Faireanum, 30 
guineas ; a probably new Cypripedium from the same 
district as Godefroyse, 20 guineas and 28 guineas ; 
Cypripedium Artlmrianum, 28 guineas ; and Cypri¬ 
pedium Morganianum, 65 guineas. 
Cattleya Mendelii. —The superb strain of these 
imported by Messrs. James Yeitch & Sons is just now 
making a grand show in the large Cattleya house at 
Chelsea. Some of the varieties are of exquisite loveli¬ 
ness, and all are good. Lselia elegans varieties are also 
in flower in numbers, as well as a large variety of other 
beautiful and interesting things. Especially, we noted 
a superb Cattleya Trianse formosa, with grandly formed 
flowers of a glowing crimson colour on the front of the 
lip. The plant has ten fine blooms which somewhat 
resemble those of C. Trianse Russelliana. Those who 
wish to see the fine show of Amaryllis should lose no 
time, as the plants are already at their best. 
-- 
THE TIGER FLOWERS. 
Few flowers more gorgeous have we during the whole 
year in the garden than the Tigridias or Tiger Flowers. 
They come during the late summer and autumn months, 
when striking yellow composite flowers seem to have 
too much of their own way in the embellishment of 
hardy plant gardens, and while there is no need for 
such an occurrence in well-arranged collections of hardy 
plants, yet from observation it is clear that it does 
happen and that not infrequently. I have chosen the 
subject of these remarks for one object only at this 
season of the year, and that is to act as a reminder to 
those who would embrace these brilliant flowering 
plants. Too often are such things as these quite 
forgotten till flowering time comes round, when as a 
natural consequence they are not to be had, and so 
another season is lost and their beauty unseen. There 
are many, I feel sure from experience, who would gladly 
be the possessors of a few such things, but who from 
sheer thoughtlessness fail to obtain them at the proper 
time. 
The Tigridias may yet be planted so as to obtain a 
good supply of flowers during late summer and on into 
the autumn months. Their culture is easy and simple, 
thriving in almost any well-enriched garden soil, and 
by planting them in groups of six or thereabouts in the 
shrubbery borders near the margin, or in the herba¬ 
ceous borders, or among American plants, some bright 
pleasing and attractive groups will be the result. In 
planting I observe the following rule :—if the soil be 
light or sandy plant about 4 ins. deep, if stiff or 
retentive 3 ins. deep will be sufficient, bearing in mind 
that the depth here given is to be taken from the apex 
of the tubers and not the base ; it must always be 
borne in mind respecting Tigridias that a well-drained 
soil is absolutely essential to their success, and they 
will always be found to thrive best on light warm soils, 
excessive moisture at the roots ( i.e ., the tubers) is 
detrimental to them, especially so immediately after 
planting, any sharp grit that may be had may be freely 
employed, and when once fairly started into growth the 
danger is at an end. 
These Tiger Flowers are not sufficiently hardy to 
endure our ever-changing winters, therefore should be 
lifted annually and placed out of the reach of frost. 
The lifting and drying process is of some importance 
though simple in the extreme. Generally speaking it 
is recommended that they be lifted on the first approach 
of frost, this is an error, the “first” frost comes very 
early sometimes, so early as to find them in full flower 
and consequently in the worst possible condition for 
removal, but to remove all fears respecting the time 
for lifting them I will give a definite period, viz., from 
the first to the middle of November, by which time we 
generally experience frosty nights, and not only this 
but the bulbs themselves will have completed their 
flowering and will be more properly matured ; after 
lifting them do not let them lay about exposed to the 
weather, but place them in boxes of sand and gradually 
dry them oft'and prepare for their winter’s rest. 
The best kinds of this lovely genus are T. canariensis, 
bright yellow, spotted with rich scarlet; T. conchiflora, 
with brilliant yellow flowers and scarlet spots ; T. 
pavonia, bright scarlet with orange markings in the 
centre. Of this species there is a truly handsome and 
noble white variety—a variety which, when it flowered 
for the first time in this country in 1883, surpassed 
even the most sanguine expectations, and instead of the 
dirty colourless flower which had been expected, a 
flower of large size, equalling the type in this respect, 
and of a lovely creamy white, burst open to view, and 
which has proved itself equally robust and free-flowering 
as Pavonia, and consequently an acquisition to its 
genus. I should have added that this beautiful white 
variety is thickly studded with crimson spots and 
blotches in the centre, making up a truly lovely and 
handsome flower. 
One singular fact in connection with this genus is the 
evanescent character of the flowers. They quickly 
fleet away ; all their gorgeous splendour in which they 
are wrapt at sunrise is, ere even’s sun doth set, faded 
and gone, and the flower that thus gladdened our eyes 
is no more. How unfortunate that a flower of such 
brilliancy should be so short-lived. Still, it is so ; but 
happily its short duration is counterbalanced by the 
successional flowers, which, with the lapse of a day or 
so after the old flower has faded, are seen to burst 
forth, and so on in succession, flower succeeding flower, 
do they continue to send forth their gay and brilliant 
blossoms, each in its turn to fade and die with the 
setting sun. A more effective group iD various colours 
it is difficult to imagine, and so remarkably cheap that 
a hundred may be had for a few shillings, and those 
who once try them will be sure to want them again; 
but time is on the wing, and intending planters should 
begin at once.— J. 
-- 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
_ ♦ _ 
♦ 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
It is now fully time that the whole of the early 
flowering Heaths and Epacris are cut back and placed 
in a light airy position that they may be encouraged 
to make nev T growth ; a nice syringing upon all favour¬ 
able occasions will greatly benefit them, and as soon as 
they have fairly started into growth, all that require a 
shift should be at once potted, at the same time, all 
the early section of Heaths are seldom worth keeping 
beyond one shift, that is, after they are in 7-in. pots. 
As growth advances, and the weather becomes warmer, 
they may all be removed to some shaded cool ash 
border outside, there to complete their growth, which 
will be far more satisfactory than if kept indoors, of 
course taking care that they are housed in good time 
in the early autumn. 
Bouvardias will also now claim attention, and as 
they are so much appreciated, a little extra care should 
be given. Look well to the stock of young plants, 
which should be potted off singly as soon as ready ; 
after they have started they should be pinched to cause 
them to break, and so lay the foundation for good 
bushy plants. Keep them in a nice genial heat, and 
syringe freely, or they will in all probability be attacked 
with red spider, and lose their foliage. After sufficient 
cuttings are taken from the old plants, they may be 
shaken out, most of the old soil removed, cutting back 
any of the stronger roots, and re-pot into smaller pots, 
of course pruning the plants (if straggling) into shape ; 
if planted out in June on a well prepared border or bed, 
these will make large specimens, and if carefully 
lifted in September, and placed in a heated frame, 
and shaded until started, will give a quantity of 
bloom ; but bear in mind they will need attending 
to during the' summer, in the way of watering in 
dry weather, and also syringing of an evening when 
necessary. 
Be careful that all seedlings and cuttings are not 
allowed to become crowded; prick off and pot the 
required number in good time and then healthy plants 
will be obtained. We are now potting on our stock of 
Chrysanthemums, giving them 6-in. pots ; they are well 
rooted and a very satisfactory lot, we shall pot them 
quite firm returning them to the cold pits again until 
they start, after which they will be placed on an ash 
border outside. The Achimenes if potted as advised 
will now have made a good growth and will, in all 
probability, need staking; let the stakes used be slight, 
and each growth be neatly tied and avoid crowding, 
or one half the bloom will not come. 
THE FORCING HOUSES. 
The covering material on the outside Yine borders, 
which must now be exhausted, had better be removed, 
and a coating of about 3 or 4 ins. of half decayed rich 
manure take its place, thereby enriching the borders ; 
this we have already done. The Muscat Vines will now 
be coming into flower, and the temperature will conse¬ 
quently need to be raised to 75° by night and 80° by 
day fire heat, with a rise of 10° by sun heat, damp 
down the house morning and evening, but not at mid¬ 
day ; go carefully over the bunches with the patent 
camel's hair pencil, and gently tap the rods every time 
on passing through the house, to distribute the pollen ; 
the bunches will be found to set much better if, before 
they come into flower, the extreme point is carefully 
removed with the scissors, and also of the shoulders if 
very heavy. 
If ripe Grapes are required by the middle of May, 
they should be colouring, this will necessitate a more 
