February 23, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
409 
Catasetum discolor and C. roseo-album. 
The first of these, to which the popular name of Dingy 
Monk’s Flower is applied, was originally introduced 
from Demerara and considered very rare ; it was hailed, 
with delight by the botanists, who believed they had 
thus further confirmation of a recently constituted 
genus, namely, Monacanthus, which differed from 
Catasetum in the absence of antennae to the flowers, and 
in the pollinia being imperfect. Since then, however, 
it has been discovered that Monacanthus is the female 
form of the flower, while Catasetum proper is the male, 
and that a third genus also now included in Catasetum 
is a hermaphrodite form. C. discolor is by no means a 
showy plant, but is exceedingly curious and interesting 
on account of the curious cap-like appearance of the lip, 
which Bateman compared to an old rusty iron skull cap. 
It is yellow internally, and greenish externally, being 
spotted with rusty purple ; the sides near the base are 
toothed or shallowly fringed. The sepals are yellow 
tinted with red, while the petals are purple and the 
column yellow. C. roseo-album was recently described 
by Reiehenbach as a species, but it merely differs from 
C. discolor in the lip being nearly white with a few 
transverse reddish streaks, and the fringes much longer. 
The other parts of the flower are also pale, but there is 
nothing to entitle it to specific distinction. 
Odontoglossum Rossii aspersum violaceum. 
Like 0. R. Humeanum, the ground colour of the 
flowers of this fine variety is yellow, at least on their 
first expansion ; but the lip afterwards changes to a 
rosy violet, hence the application of the above name. 
The sepals are almost covered with chocolate-brown 
blotches, with narrow transverse yellow stripes. The 
petals also expand of a yellow colour, but gradually 
assume a pinkish hue, while they have a few brownish 
purple blotches at the very base. The crest is of a 
deep lemon-yellow, while the column is purple, as in 
the typical 0. R. aspersum. We noted the variety in 
the nursery of Messrs. Boulton & Shuttleworth, 256, 
Beckham Rye. 
Odontoglossum Oerstedii majus. 
Like all other dwarf and small-growing species of 
Odontoglossum, this thrives most satisfactorily when 
grown in shallow Orchid pans, and hung up close to 
the glass. In its native habitats it grows upon the 
trunks of moss-covered trees, fully exposed to all kinds 
of weather and a low temperature at night. Amongst 
the smaller kinds it is really a gem, owing not only to 
the neatness of the flower, but the whole plant. The 
scape carries from two to five flowers, according to the 
plant bearing it, and would itself measure the same 
number of inches in length. The individual blooms 
measure from 1 in. to 1^ in. across, and are wholly 
white, with the exception of the lip, which has a 
yellow callus spotted with orange. It has been flower¬ 
ing for some time in the nurseries of Messrs. J. Laing & 
Sons, Forest Hill. 
Miltonia Warscewiczii. 
The general aspect of this Orchid is so different from 
that of others, that it well merits much more extended 
cultivation. It is known under a variety of names, 
such as Oncidium fuscatum, 0. Weltoni, and Odonto¬ 
glossum Weltoni. The colour varies in different 
specimens ; but we noticed a very fine variety in the 
nursery of Mr. William Gordon, Amyand Park Road, 
Twickenham, Middlesex. The sepals and petals are of 
a deep brown, tipped with white, and wavy at the 
edges. The labellum is of large size, broadly oblong, 
quadrangular, with a shining brown spot in the centre, 
surrounded by purple fading into pink towards the 
margin. The flowers are borne on a close arching spike, 
and are both conspicuous and remarkable on account 
of the curious arrangement of colours around the 
central, shining, brown spot, which is in itself a 
curiosity. It comes from Peru, and really requires 
less heat to grow it than the other species of Miltonia 
do. 
The Spotted Odontoglossum crispum. 
There are, as every cultivator knows, many spotted 
forms of this popular Odontoglot; but this note refers 
more particularly to 0. c. guttatum, a beautiful variety 
that might with great advantage he more plentiful 
throughout the country. We saw it recently in the 
nursery of Messrs. Shuttleworth, Carder & Co. The 
variety was also reckoned worthy of figuring in the 
Botanical Magazine, t. 5697, and even at the present 
day may be included amongst choice kinds. The 
sepals and petals are white, with several large reddish 
brown blotches on the middle, fading to a clear violet. 
The lip is also characterised by a circle of smaller 
blotches surrounding the long, central, yellow disk. 
Ttre petals are more or less toothed at the edges, and 
the lip fringed. 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE STOVE. 
Alocasias. —Before active growth recommences, 
plants of this character should receive their annual 
potting. Like other subjects whose roots are of a semi¬ 
aerial nature, they like a loose, open or spongy compost 
through which their roots can ramble freely, and emit 
the dense felt-like mass of root hairs with which they 
supply themselves with nourishment. Amongst those 
that should now receive attention are A. Thibautiana, 
A. Regin®, A. Veitchii, A. Lowii, A. metallica, and others. 
A good compost for these will consist of fibrous peat 
with a good admixture of sphagnum, broken crocks, 
nodules of charcoal, and silver-sand. In re-potting them, 
remove soil that has become thoroughly decayed and 
sour, taking care not to injure the roots. The 
variegated colour of A. macrorhiza variegata is best 
developed when a considerable quantity of loam is used 
in the compost, which should be of a light and rather 
poor nature, so that gross growth may not be en¬ 
couraged. 
Hedychiums. —When grown in pots it is necessary 
to re-pot, so as to furnish them with 'something fresh 
from which they may derive the nourishment required 
to flower them well. As they become too large they 
must be divided, placing good-sized pieces in smaller 
pots. Where plenty of room can be afforded, these 
bold subjects give great satisfaction when planted out. 
H. Gardnerianum may be planted in a good, rich, well- 
drained soil, but H. coronarium and H. flavescens do 
best in an aquatic house, where the bottoms of the pots 
may just dip into the water. They also succeed when 
planted in a bog bed, where the water from a tank may 
percolate through the lower part of the bed, and supply 
the roots with an abundance of moisture. Good fibrous 
loam to which some well-decayed manure has been 
added will suit them admirably. 
Olivias.— Some of the earliest of these are already in 
bloom, and the rest are now pushing up their flower 
spikes strongly. Although they will bloom in a com¬ 
paratively cool greenhouse, yet the flowers are larger 
and better coloured when developed in an intermediate 
temperature, the plants being moderately well 
exposed to light. They should also be supplied 
with weak liquid manure, or some other stimulant. 
THE GREENHOUSE. 
Ventilation and Firing. —The temperature must 
not be allowed to fall too low where a supply of flowers 
has to be maintained, but during frosty nights it is 
preferable that it should be somewhat lower than the 
usual standard than above it, otherwise the evil effects 
on the plants will soon become apparent, by the en¬ 
couragement given to spider and thrip, owing to the 
dryness of the atmosphere. On all favourable occasions 
give air during the day, provided there is no frost or 
the sun is sufficiently warm to ward off its effects. A 
little may be left on all night during mild weather, 
which we may expect before long. All Cinerarias, 
whether late or early, should be well guarded against 
frost, and the leaves not permitted to touch the glass, 
for if once allowed to suffer from frost they never 
recover again. 
THE FORCING HOUSES. 
Vineries —The earliest houses should be kept at a 
temperature of 65° by night, rising 10° by day ; allow¬ 
ing to rise even higher in the afternoon by closing 
early so as to economise fuel. Plenty of atmospheric 
moisture should be kept up to prevent the evil effects 
that would otherwise arise by hard firing in severe 
weather. Too high temperatures should always be 
avoided, however, under those circumstances. Later 
houses will now have to be carefully attended to in the 
matter of disbudding and looping down. The shoots 
must on no account be allowed to touch the glass. A 
night temperature of 60° will be quite sufficient at this 
stage with a rise to 70° during the day. Keep the 
evaporating pans well filled with water. 
Toiiatos.— Sow seeds to obtain strong plants ready 
for putting out in May if the weather be then sufficiently 
mild. In order to reap the advantages of the whole 
length of our short and generally fitful summer, the 
plants should be of a sturdy and somewhat wiry nature, 
by being well hardened off before planting time. 
Leeks. —Sow a pinch of seed in a box, and place in 
the forcing pit so as to bring them on. Those who 
intend blanching Leeks for exhibition purposes fail to 
get them far enough advanced unless brought forward 
in this way. As soon as the plants have germinated, 
they should be inured to a cooler atmosphere, and 
brought on gradually. 
gifnfuari?. 
We regret to record the death, on the evening of the 
15th inst., of Mr. J. T. Peacock, Sudbury House, 
Hammersmith. Mr. Peacock, who was the senior 
partner of the firm of Nurdin & Peacock, of Wells 
Street, Oxford Street, was for several years an en¬ 
thusiastic collector of Cactaceous plants, and got 
together at Sudbury House perhaps the most complete 
private collection of Agaves and other succulent plants 
to be found in Europe, and perhaps no man knew or 
grew them better than his then gardener, Mr. 
Croucher. Subsequently, Mr. Peacock took to 
Orchids, and soon acquired a valuable collection, 
which, in the hands of Mr. Vicary, gave him an 
abundance of the flowers that he enjoyed so much 
himself, and liberally distributed among his friends. 
A warm-hearted and generous man, who was most 
considerate to those who served him faithfully, and 
who gave liberally of his wealth to deserving charities, 
he will be missed by many, and not least of all by the 
aged and infirm poor in the home known as Nazareth 
House. 
-•>£«•- 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
Correspondents who may require their communica¬ 
tions, if not accepted, to be returned, must in all cases 
enclose stamps for the return postage. The name and 
address of every writer must be given, not necessarily 
for publication, if that is not desired, but simply as a 
guarantee of the writer’s honi fides. No notice what¬ 
ever will be taken of anonymous letters. 
Anthracite.— A. R.: The information you require has been 
given in our recent numbers. 
Azalea mollis.— IV. G.: Your seedling—blush-white, with a 
yellow blotch—seems to be quite sufficiency distinct and good 
to be worth propagating. 
Camellias for Planting in the Open Air. — G. <?., Holme 
Cleve: All the varieties of Camellia japonica should grow 
splendidly in the open air in the position you describe. 
Cattleya Tri an.e. — Reader: The flowers you sent show a very 
good form of the type, similar in fact to the best of the kinds 
which have been introduced from the Popayan district, and 
sometimes spoken of as the Popayan variety. Otherwise we 
believe it is not referable to any other named variety. The size 
of the flowers as a whole, however, and the rich colouring of the 
lip, show it to be equal to the finest of the unnamed sorts. 
Cvpripedium yillosum — W. G. : We consider it a very good 
dark form. 
Collection of Plants. — Pembroke: A collection of six flower¬ 
ing greenhouse plants for exhibition purposes should include 
such things as Tremandra hirsuta, Dracophyllum gracile, Dar- 
winia (Hedaroma, or Genethyllis) tulipifera, Pimelea speetabilis, 
Plumbago eapensis, and Erica Cavendishii. You may also choose 
from Darwinia fuchsioides, Pimelea decussata, Erica ventricosa, 
or some of its numerous fine varieties, E. hybrids, E. tricolor 
or its varieties, Boronia elatior, Statice Holfordi, Rhynchosper- 
mum jasminioides, Epacris miniata splendens, Azaleas in great 
variety, Aphelexis macrantha purpurea, &c. Foliage plants for 
table decoration should consist of such things as Aralia lepto- 
phylla, Cordyline indivisa, Dracaena australis, Grevillea robusta, 
Lomatia elegantissima, and Yucca aloifolia. You may also use 
some of those mentioned last week ; and if you have the com¬ 
mand of fire heat, the following are excellent table plants, 
namely, Aralia gracillima or A. Veitchii, Elseodendron orientale 
(Aralia Chabrieri), Pandanus Veitchii, narrow-leaved Crotons in 
variety, Dracienas in variety, &c. Stove flowering plants for 
your collection may include Clerodendron Balfourianum, Ixoras, 
Anthurinm Scherzerianum, AUamanda Hendersoni, &c. 
Names of Plants.—/. Walker: 1, fEschynanthus speciosus ; 
2, Dendrobium Pierardi; 3, Croton pictum apparently, but it is 
impossible to be certain from a single leaf; 4, Miconia magnifica, 
or the old name Cyanophyllum inagnificum. G. G., Holme Cleve: 
1. Leucojum vernum ; 2, Sherardiaarvensis; 3, Geranium niolle ; 
4, Ranunculus repens. S. R. T , Tapton: I, Odontoglossum 
Cervantesii decorum, a good average form ; 2, Oncidium cucul- 
latum, an unuiually dark variety. 
Orchids for Frames. —-4. Russell: You can with safety place 
the following in such a frame as you suggest during the summer 
months, viz., from June to September, and, provided you give 
sufficient air, very little shading will be necessary after the first 
few days. Ccelogyne cristata, Cattleya Gaskeiliana, C. Trianae, 
Dendrobium Jamesianum, D. infundibulum, Epidendrum 
vitellinum, Laelia anceps, L. autumnalis, and L mijalis. You 
will also succeed with Brassia verrucosa, Cattleya citrina, the 
Cypripediums, Lycastes, Maxillaria graudiflora, Odontoglossum 
cirrhosum, 0. citrosmum, 0. grande, O. hastilabium, O. Insleayi, 
0. maculatuni, 0. luteo-purpureum, O. nebulosum, O. Pescatorei, 
O. triumphans, Oncidium varieosum, and Piluinni fragrans, 
but all these will require plenty of shading during bright sun¬ 
shine. In a frame having a north aspect, all the cool-growing 
Orchids you mention may be successfully grown, including the 
Oncidiums, Masdevallia Harryana, M. ignea, Odontoglossum 
Alexandra, 0. Cervantesii, and 0 Rossii. Dendrobium nobile 
and D. Wardianum should be encouraged with plenty of heat 
to make early growth; afterwards they will be benefited by a 
sojourn in the open air fully exposed to the sunshine, where the 
bulbs will get thoroughly matured. We do not advise you to 
put the Cymbidiums, Stanhopeas, &c , in a frame unless for 
experiment. 
Pruning Red Currants. —AT. A. : It is the usual practice to 
prune Red Currant bushes hack to the spurs. If your plantation 
is young, the leading shoots should be left on at some len in 
