796 
THE GARDENING WORLD, 
August 15th, 1883. 
THE 
©rrjntr (Srnfoers dalmt m. 
Disa gran diflora.—Last spring I received some 
Disas as a present from the Cape, and have grown 
them till now in a frame, but they show no signs of 
flowering. Am I to keep them growing all winter or 
let them go to rest ? In what temperature should I 
keep them during winter?—IF. II. Tt. 
Knowing that others as well as your correspondent 
“ W. H. Ii.” are not quite clear as to the treatment of 
this lovely plant (so aptly called “ The Pride of Table 
Mountain ”) after flowering, it will be well to give the 
subject more space than that usually devoted to 
answers to correspondents. Disa grandiflora, which 
grows on the banks of rivulets and on marshy ground 
in its mountain home in situations where its roots and 
underground growths are frequently submerged in 
water, and where they are at least moist even in the 
dry season, it can be readily understood does not 
require drying oS at all, and in the majority of cases 
where the plants of it are not successfully grown 
the failure may be traced to an insufficient supply of 
water at some period or other during its growth. 
A glance at the progress of the plants throughout 
a year will prove that the Disas are always active 
(see p. 534, Disas ,in S. Africa), and that from the 
present time, when they have just flowered, are in 
flower, or are about to expand their blooms, they are 
steadily and slowly pushing on with the formation of 
fresh tubers and stolons for the production of the 
next season’s crop of leaves and blooms. After the 
flowering season, I always used to give the plants less 
water than before, and when I have grown the plants 
in pans for keeping water under them, I generally 
removed the pans after the flowers were over, as it 
was easy enough to keep the plants sufficiently moist 
until the active growing season and warm weather 
without them (pans for keeping water under the 
plants, however, are not to be recommended gene¬ 
rally, although of service in some houses in hot 
weather), but I never allowed the Disa grandiflora 
to get anything like dry. 
After flowering, the plants will get what is com¬ 
monly called “ rough,” and they should simply be 
kept clean and carefully watered until the end of 
December or beginning of January, when those 
requiring re-potting should be attended to. In re¬ 
potting, it is important not to break up the old ball 
so as to injure the tender points ; it is therefore better 
to only just roughen it and place in a larger well- 
drained pan or pot, using as material equal parts of 
good fibrous peat and living sphagnum moss, with a 
sprinkling of broken sandstone and charcoal mixed 
with it. In spring, when the foliage shows active 
signs of growth, the water supply should be increased, 
and a light sprinkling overhead with a fine rose can 
occasionally be given, in all cases where possible 
rain water only being used. Later on, the flower 
spikes will appear and the waterings both overhead 
and in the pots may still more freely be given, indeed 
during the whole of its growth its treatment should 
be just that which any reasonable man would give a 
cold greenhouse marsh plant. 
For position, anywhere in a greenhouse which 
does not get much below 45 degs. in winter, and in 
a light situation, but where the direct rays of the 
sun does not reach it, is the best. Much depends 
on getting a good and suitable situation for it, for 
there is more in that than in any particular skill 
in culture. In some places they grow like weeds on 
a shelf over the door of a cold greenhouse, in others 
they will only do on the shady side of the house, near 
where the ventilators open ; in some places a par¬ 
ticular corner is devoted to the Disas, in others they 
are grown in the greenhouse until their flower-spikes 
appear, when they are removed to the cold frame 
to bloom, and returned to the greenhouse only on the 
approach of hot weather. "Which of these methods 
suits any particular case best a watchful trial will 
soon prove. 
But it is not even necessary to have a greenhouse 
for Disa grandiflora at all. I have grown and bloomed 
it well in a cold frame, which was often down to 
35 degs. in winter, and so have many others. The 
limit of the adaptability of Disa culture does not even 
rest at the cold frame, for I have seen it growing 
freely, unprotected, in the open air with Mr. Moore, 
at Glasnevin, Dublin. The Kev. H. Ewbank, at St. 
John’s, Isle of Wight, has also bloomed it out-of-doors, 
and so also have others, in favoured spots, a fact 
which abundantly proves that the plant does not want 
nursing in close housps—air, shade, and water in 
plenty it must have, in order to make it thrive well. 
Of the beauty of D. grandiflora year after year 
brings fresh proofs by the fine specimens, bearing 
numerous spikes of its brilliant scarlet flowers, seen 
in different parts of the country, and at the present 
time a great and striking display of it is to be seen at 
Messrs. F. Sander & Co.’s, of St. Albans, where the 
bank of it mingling its showy flowers with a fine lot 
of the snowy Odontoglossum Alexandras produces a 
fine display. Eight to a dozen flowers have been pro¬ 
duced on a spike, but it is better for the quality of the 
flowers and for the health of the plants to thin them 
to three or five. 
Insects, thrips, aphis, and a red insect peculiar to 
this plant attack it, and these should be carefully 
exterminated by frequent sponging with weak tobacco- 
water or other safe insecticide. It is when the plants 
are weak or starting into growth that the insects beset 
them, and then is the time to look constantly after 
them, as the insects are then easily destroyed, whereas 
if they are allowed to once settle down the plants may 
be rendered weakly for the whole season. There are 
several varieties of D. grandiflora. but all are good.— 
James O'Brien, 
Cattleya Hardyana.—I have just read a descrip¬ 
tion of Cattleya Dowiana, and find it stated that it is 
without doubt the finest Cattleya grown. Probably 
it was so in the estimation of the writer at the time 
(now some years ago) when the remarks were written. 
I have to-day had an opportunity of comparing 
C. Dowiana, Gaskelliana, labiata pallida, &c., with one 
Mr. G. Hardy, of Timperley, has now in flower, and 
the three forms named are nowhere in comparison 
with it. They are not even permitted to stand 
near this acme of perfection, but are relegated to 
a much lower position. Bought originally for C. 
Sanderiana, it has now been at Pickering Lodge 
for about five years, and has bloomed twice before. 
On its first flowering, Mr. Hardy quickly noticed 
it was of a distinct type, and now that it is in 
flower again the distinction is more marked, so much 
so that provisionally the name of C. Hardyana 
is given to it, which it is to be hoped it will retain. 
The spike bears four blooms 8 ins. across, sepals and 
petals of a deep mauve, the petals thrown a little for¬ 
ward, and slightly reflexed. The lip is of large size, 
and of rich colour and marking. The lower half is of 
a deep rose-purple ; the purple ceases about half way 
up, giving place to a rich golden-yellow, which part is 
beautifully margined with the rosy-purple of the lower 
portion. The centre of the lip, however, has the 
purple carried right into the throat, beautifully lined 
with yellow, which colours are carried right up to the 
column. It is a grand thing, far superior to any gigas, 
aurea, or Sanderiana I have ever seen, and the same 
opinion has been expressed by many who are certainly 
qualified to speak on this matter. We gazed intently 
on it at the first, and were constrained to come back 
again and admire its wondrous beauty.— IF. Sican, 
Aug. 10th .— (This magnificent Cattleya was exhibited 
before the Floral Committee on Tuesday, and was 
unanimously awarded a First-Class Certificate.— Ed.] 
"Woodlice in Orchid-pots. — If anyone who is 
bothered with woodlice in Orchid-pots will try a puff 
of tobacco-smoke through the hole at the bottom of 
the pot, they will find the woodlice soon appear on 
the surface, and may then be easily destroyed; I have 
found this a better plan than immersing the pots in 
water.— G. TF. C. 
—— 
GARDEN APPLIANCES. 
Owens’ Spray Engine and Blight Destroyer.— 
Messrs. S. Owens & Co, the well-known hydraulic 
and general engineers, of Whitefriars Street, E.C., 
have recently introduced an invention in the form 
of a garden engine, which seems to meet a want in 
all large establishments—that of a machine for apply- 
ng insecticides in an effective manner, with a mini¬ 
mum amount of waste. This they have realized in 
the new engine by forcing the liquor from the cylinder 
by means of compressed air. The short india-rubber 
hose pipe and copper branch pipe have an inner and 
an outer tube, through which the air and liquid pass 
separately until they meet at the end of the jet, and 
produce a dense spray or mist, by means of which any 
tree, shrub, or plant may be quickly and completely 
brought under its influence. We give the following 
as the directions for use given by the patentees :— 
Strain the liquid through fine muslin, slacken the 
small thumb-screw, open the hinged cover, and fill 
the cylinder, using a funnel or water-can for the 
purpose. Then close the cover and screw it down 
moderately tight, place the forefinger of the left hand 
over the hole in the nozzle of the branch pipe, work 
the air-pump for a few seconds until the pressure 
is raised, remove the finger, and continue to work the 
pump, when a fine mist-like spray will be produced. 
A little oil of good quality should be occasionally 
poured round the top of the piston and on the joints 
of the hand-lever. When the inside of the cylinder 
requires cleansing, fill it with hot water, and remove 
the screw plug at the under side of the machine to 
empty it. 
— o_. - rz -O- ^r - .._3 —- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Royal Horticultural, August 11th. —This was 
the smallest exhibition we have had here for some 
time, but a pretty and interesting little show never¬ 
theless. Mr. T. S. Ware was, as usual, in great force 
with hardy plants, among which various species of 
Lilium, and notably auratum, figured conspicuously. 
Florists’ flowers were represented by fine collections 
of Dahlias, double and single, Phloxes, &c., from the 
same exhibitor, and another Silver Banksian Medal 
was his reward. The New Plant and Bulb Company, 
Colchester, also contributed an extensive display of 
Lilium auratum flowers, among which were several 
well marked and distinct forms. Among other plants 
from the same firm we also noticed a variety of Yalotta 
purpurea, with taller stems, longer leaves, and larger 
flowers than the ordinary type. Messrs. Yeitch & 
Sons contributed, besides several plants which were 
certificated and are noted below, a handsome group of 
hardy hybrids from Gladiolus Lemoinei; Acer Hooker- 
ianum, with lanceolate, copper-coloured leaves; Da- 
vallia retusa, a very distinct strong-growing species 
from Sumatra, with somewhat angular pi time, bearing 
a strong resemblance to the leaves of the Salisburia, 
or Maiden-hair tree ; and Platycodon Mariesii grandi¬ 
flora, a very showy plant with large Campanula-like, 
rich, bluish-purple blossoms. Mr.K. Owen, Maidenhead, 
contributed several new double tuberous Begonias,viz., 
A. F. Barron,pale flesh colour ; Dr. Hogg, blush; Harry 
Veitch, pale rose ; and Shirley Hibberd, rose. Messrs. 
Kelway & Son contributed a splendid array of Gladioli, 
about 100 spikes, and took a first prize for the col¬ 
lection. From Mr. Holah, gardener to F. C. Hills, 
Esq., Bedleaf, Penshurst, came a flowering plant of 
the showy Galeandra Devoniana ; and Messrs. John 
Laing & Co. contributed some more new varieties of 
Begonia and Caladium. Among the former, which 
