January  13,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
29 
L.1':lia  anceps  virginalis. 
As  the  issue  (January  20tli,  1887),  containing  the  illustration  and 
note  relative  to  this  charming  Orchid  has  long  been  out  of  print,  we 
reproduce  it  here  (lig.  5)  for  the  beneht  of  “  D.  B.  C.”  and  others. 
According  to  the  note  which  accompanied  the  woodcut  it  was  sent  to 
South  Kensington  from  Mr.  F.  A.  Philbrick’s  choice  collection  at 
Bickley.  The  description  was  as  follows: — It  is  remarkable  for  the 
great  siz;e  of  the  flowers,  which  are  5  inches  across,  the  petals  being 
nearly  inch  across,  of  great  substance,  and  pure  white.  The  lip  is 
broad  with  a  yellow  throat.  In  contrast  with  the  richly  coloured 
forms  of  L.  anceps  that  are  so  useful  at  this  time  of  the 
year  this  variety  appears  to  excellent  advantage. 
Calanthes. 
]\IucH  has  been  written  in  ]  raise  of  these  beautiful 
Orchids,  and  in  establishments  where  table  decorations 
are  extensively  carried  out  their  use  has  become  almost 
indispensable  in  the  winter  season.  Too  much  cannot 
easily  be  said  in  their  favour  for  table  work.  C.  Veitchi 
is  especially  much  admired;  the  long  sprays  thrown 
carelessly  on  the  cloth  or  arranged  lightly  in  vases, 
their  elegant  arches  of  ilowers  considerably  enhance 
the  appearance  of  the  dining  tables  of  the  well-to-do. 
T  know  of  no  prettier  effect  than  a  well-arranged  table 
decked  with  these  flowers  intei mingled  with  a  small 
amount  of  Fern  or  Asparagus,  with  bright  shining 
Smilax  as  a  set-off  to  the  whole.  It  is  also  well  known 
how  suitable  they  are  on  the  plants  for  mixing  in 
groups  with  Ferns  and  other  suitable  kinds.  One  of  the 
best  small  groups  I  remember  seeing  was  composed 
chiefly  of  Calanthe  Veitchi  with  Eoman  Hyacinths  and 
Ferns,  set  up  with  pieces  of  cork  and  moss  as  an 
imitation  rockery.  The  effect  was  really  charming,  and 
not  nearly  so  artificial  looking  as  one  might  on  first 
thoughts  suppose. 
A  good  deal  has  been  said  against  these  deciduous 
Calanthes  because  they  lose  their  leaves  at  flowering 
time,  though  I  do  not  think  this  is  made  so  much  of 
as  formerly.  Eeally,  from  a  gardener’s  point  of  view, 
this  characteristic  has  its  advantages,  and  though 
admiring  the  plants  very  much  nryself  when  they  are 
in  full  growth,  I  think  where  space  is  a  consideration — 
and  where  is  it  not  ? — the  gain  through  being  able  to 
stand  the  pots  nearer  to  each  other  when  the  leaves  fall 
amply  compensates. 
A  few  remarks  as  to  cultm’e  may  not  be  out  of 
place.  After  the  plants  have  flowered  they  may  be 
stored  in  any  out  of  the  way  corner  where  drip  does  not 
reach  them,  and  the  temperature  does  not,  as  a  rule,  fall 
below  55°.  There  they  may  rest  until  March,  when  upon 
signs  of  starting  into  growth  preparation  should  be  made  for  potting. 
The  pots  may  be  of  various  sizes,  from  5-inch  to  7-inch,  according  to 
the  size  of  the  pseudo-bulbs  and  the  number  in  each  put.  I  consider 
medium-sized  pseudo-bulbs  are  calculated  to  give  a  better  return  where 
the  spikes  have  to  be  cut  thim  those  of  extra  large  size.  I  say 
nothing  against  these  latter  as  specimens  of  good  culture,  but  two  or 
three  smaller  spikes  of  useful  flowers  may  be  grown  in  the  room  of 
one  of  extra  size,  and  will  in  most  cases  be  found  more  suitable  for 
the  table.  Have  the  pots  clean  and  well  drained,  with  some  moss  or 
rough  turf  over  the  crocks  to  prevent  blocking.  As  to  soil,  some 
growers  use  only  turfy  loam  with  the  finer  particles  shaken  out.  A 
good  compost  found  to  grow  these  plants  fairly  consists  of  turfy  loam 
with  about  a  thhd  peat  and  a  sprinkling  of  sand,  with  the  addition  of 
a  very  small  proporlion  of  well-decayed  sheep  or  cow  dung. 
The  old  plants  may  be  shaken  out  of  the  soil,  and  if  desired  to 
increase  the  stock,  those  which  have  produced  flower  spikes  can  be 
packed  rather  closely  in  pans  or  boxes  and  placed  in  strong  heat,  when 
a  number  of  them  will  break  and  produce  small  pseudo-bulbs,  which 
ultimately  should  be  grown  with  the  others.  Those  remaining  of  the 
current  year  which  have  to  produce  the  flowers  in  the  future  should 
have  their  roots  shortened  to  about  an  inch,  and  be  potted  firmly.  For 
a  time  they  Avill  need  very  little  water,  a  slight  moistening  with  the 
syringe  occasionally  sufficing,  and  as  growth  increases  so  must  the 
supply  of  water.  When  the  pots  have  become  full  of  roots  weak 
liquid  manure  made  from  sheep  or  cow  dung  may  be  given  once  or 
twice  a  Week,  according  to  requirements.  Give  water  plentifully  from 
the  time  the  plants  have  made  fair  growth  until  the  flower  spikes 
appear.  As  these  lengthen  gradually  diminish  the  supply,  and  by  the 
time  the  first  flowers  open  no  more  will  be  needed  before  the  plants 
are  ready  to  start  again  in  the  following  March. 
It  has  been  advised  to  lay  the  plants  in  boxes  in  leaf  mould  or 
damp  moss  in  preference  to  potting  at  once.  I  have  tried  both 
methods,  and  while  admitting  that  the  former  has  advantages,  yet  I 
prefer  the  latter,  as  when^  the  pseudo-bulbs  have  emitted  rootlets  into 
the  layering  material,  which  they  do  freely,  it  is  almost  impossible  to 
avoid  breaking  some  of  them  in  potting,  as  at  this  stao-e  they  are 
exceedingly  brittle.  ° 
Calanthe  \  eitchi  and  the  charming  Eangemore  variety,  with  the 
varieties  of  C.  vestita,  may  be  grown  in  the  usual  stove  temperature 
kept  close  to  the  glass  and  shaded  from  excessive  sunshine.  Evergreen 
Calanthes  and  their  culture  do  not  come  within  the  scope  of  this  article 
Thrips,  green  fly,  and  brown  scale  all  attack  Calanthes,  and  are 
best  kept  under  by  gentle  sponging.  The  disease  known  as  spot  I 
have  not  had  to  deal  with.  It  is  possible  this  may  sometimes  partly 
Fig.  .5.— Laslia  anceps  virginalis. 
I  ; 
arise  from  high  feeding,  the  plants  afterwards  being  stood  in  cool 
damp  conservatories  and  cold  draughty  rooms.  This  should  as  far  as 
possible  be  avoided.  The  difficulty  may  be  met  where  a  number  are 
grown  by  frequent  changing. — J.  Hhalfoed. 
REST  IN  PLANT  LIFE. 
In  “  A.  D.'s  ’  last  note  on  this  subject  he  is  silent  on  the  point  as  to 
whether  plants  rest  or  not,  so  presumably  he  concedes  it.  Now,  it  is  the 
term  itself  he  takes  exception  to  ;  but  if  not  absolutely  correct,  it  is  not  a 
bad  one  after  all,  “  A,  D.”  says,  “  rest  implies  recuperation.”  Certainly  ; 
and  that  plants  recuperate  themselves  during  the  cessation  of  growth  is 
abundantly  evident.  Plant  physiology  is  a  delightful  study  no  doubt, 
but  mere  workaday  observation  is  all  that  is  recpiired  to  prove  this. 
Defoliation  is  only  a  detail.  Evergreen  trees  rest  as  well  as  deciduous 
ones,  and  though  perhaps  I  may  be  dense,  I  fail  to  see  w'hy  we  as 
cultivators  need  the  term  to  be  any  further  “  described,  explained, 
elucidated.” 
In  its  practical  sense  as  bearing  on  cultivation  I  understand  it,  so  does 
“A.  1).,’  or  he  is  not  the  sound  practical  gardener  his  writings  have  for 
many  years  proclaimed  him.  Would  a  Vine  go  on  producing  Grapes 
without  rest  ?  or  would  any  other  plant  fulfil  its  functions  without  it  ? 
I  think  everyone  must  agree  that  they  would  not.  If  not,  why  not? 
Something  is  wanting  that  was  present  at  the  end  of  the  last  resting 
season.  This  the  plant  makes  good  during  its  season  of  rest,  hence  I  take 
it  there  is  recuj)eration  going  on. — II.  E.  K. 
