34 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  13,  1899. 
L^elio-CattleyaJAphrodite  Ruth. 
It  was  the  generally  expressed  opinion  at  the  Temple  Show  last 
month  that  Laelio-Cattleya  Aphrodite  Ruth  was  one  of  the  finest 
Orchids  in  the  show,  and  that  the  first-class  certificate  was  richly 
deserved.  The  plant  was  exhibited  by  Mr.  Lupton,  gardener  to  j. 
Fig.  9.  —  L.elio  -  Cattleya  Aphrodite  Ruth 
(Bigener  from  Cattleya  Mendeli  and  Lselia  purpurata.) 
Rutherford,  Esq.,  Beardwood,  Blackburn,  Lancs,  who  has  on  several 
occasions  sent  specimens  to  the  Drill  Hall  meetings,  but  never  of  such 
excellence  as  on  this  occasion.  The  flower  (figt  9),  of  which  there 
were  three  on  the  plant,  was  singularly  refined  in  character.  The 
narrow  slightly  recurving  sepals  are  delicate  blush,  and  the  broader 
wavy  petals  milk  white  with  a  suspicion  of  pink.  The  beautifully 
fimbriated  lip  is  brilliant  crimson  maroon,  with  a  lemon  yellow  throat. 
I  his  bigeneric  hybrid  resulted  from  a  cross  between  Cattleya  Mendeli 
and  Leelia  purpurata. 
DeNDROBIUM  NOBILE  AT  HOLLYCOMBE,  LlPHOOK 
Ihis  well  known  species  and  its  varieties,  in  my  opinion,  still 
retains  its  position  as  one  of  the  most  useful  Orchids  in  cultivation, 
as  by  having  a  succession  of  plants  no  trouble  need  be  experienced  in 
having  them  in  flower  from  January  until  June.  Some  of  the  most 
profusely  flowered  specimens  I  ever  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  are  in 
the  collection  of  John  Hawkshaw,  Esq.,  Hollycombe,  Liphook,  where 
they  are  so  luxuriant  in  growth  that  one  ftels  almost  loth  to  leave 
them. 
On  the  occasion  of  my  visit  (June  9th)  there  were  arranged  in 
the  form  of  a  bank  in  a  spacious  conservatory  adjoining  the  mansion, 
some  dozen  or  more  plants,  with  a  few  Palms  and  Maidenhair  Ferns 
interspersed  to  heighten  the  effect.  The  largest  of  these  is  4  feet  in 
diameter,  and  was  carrying  1200  floweis.  There  were  some  dozens 
of  well  matured  pseudo-bulbs  of  an  average  length  of  3  feet.  Near  by 
was  a  plant  in  a  10-inch  pot  with  fully  1000 ' expanded  blossoms, 
while  three  more  were  carrying  about  800,  600,  and  500  respectively. 
“  How  old  are  these  plants  ?”  was  one  of  the  questions  put  to  Mr. 
Silcock,  the  courteous  gardener  and  grower 
of  the  Dendrobiums.  In  reply  he  informed 
me  that  they  were  young  offsets  taken 
and  made  up  in  the  flowering  pots  three 
years  ago,  “  For,”  he  remarked,  “  if  large 
specimens  are  required  it  is  better  to 
make  them  up  in  this  way,  as  plants 
repotted  never  thrive  so  well  as  those  left 
undisturbed.”  As  regards  after  treatment, 
great  care  must  be  exercised  in  watering 
until  established,  as  the  young  growths 
are  prone  to  damp;  afterwards  liberal 
supplies  can  be  given  both  in  the  atmo¬ 
sphere  and  at  the  roots  during  active 
growth,  in  fact  they  revel  in  tropical 
treatment.  To  stimulate  the  growth  a 
little  weak  liquid  manure  is  given  them 
— “that  made,”  remarked  Mr.  Silcock, 
“from  fowl  manure  being  my  favourite, 
alternated  with  soot  water  occasionally 
during  the  season.” 
As  the  pseudo-bulbs  mature  they  are 
removed  to  a  cooler  temperature,  every 
care  being  taken  to  insure  thorough 
ripening.  Those  required  for  very  early 
flowering  are,  however,  simply  given  a 
slight  rest  for  about  a  fortnight,  and  are 
then  gradually  brought  forward  to  the 
flowering  stage.  As  regards  insects, 
especially  for  mealy  bug,  the  able  grower 
advised  syringing  with  a  mixture  of  a 
small  wineglass  of  petroleum  diluted  with 
4  gallons  of  rain  water,  laying  the  plan's 
on  their  sides  during  the  operation,  and 
taking  care  to  keep  the  mixture  con¬ 
stantly  agitated.  I  observed  that  D.  nobile 
Wallichi  was  being  largely  increased,  this 
being  considered  « xceptionally  useful  as 
the  flowers  last  quite  a  fortnight  longer 
than  the  ordinary  species. — G.  Hagon. 
Thunia  Winniana. 
T.  Winniana  is  a  useful  addition  to 
this  show)',  graceful,  and  easily  cultivated 
family  of  plants.  It  is  a  little  later  than 
either  T.  Marsh  alii  an  a  or  Yeitchiana,  and 
consequently  pn  longs  the  flowering 
season.  The  flowers,  quite  5  inches 
across,  are  ot  a  beautiful  bright  magenta 
colour,  in  this  respect  coming  nearer  T. 
Bensoniae  than  any  other;  in  fact  it  is 
best  described  as  a  glorified  variety  of  this 
species,  as  it  resembles  it  both  in  height 
and  appearance.  It  will  succeed  under 
the  same  conditions  as  the  more  common 
and  better  known  varieties.  It  originate  d 
in  the  collection  of  C.  Winn,  Esq.,  Selly 
Hill,  Birmingham,  and  was  named  after  its  owner.  T.  Winniana  is  a 
plant  that  is  to  be  recommended  to  those  who  grow  a  few  Orchids  in  an 
ordinary  plant  stove. 
PHAIUS  BICOLOR  PURrURASCENS. 
A  beautiful  variety  of  the  old  P.  bicolor  that  is  worth  extended 
culture  is  P.  b.  purpurascens.  This  species  is  a  native  of  Ceylon,  being 
found  growing  on  the  sides  of  hills  near  Peradeniya,  and  therefore 
should  be  watered  with  caution.  The  sepals  and  petals  are  a  beautifu  l 
clear  yellow,  suffused  with  purple,  the  lip  acuminated,  curved 
downwards,  and  rolled  over  the  column,  of  a  brightish  purple  colour, 
suffused  with  yellowish  green.  The  plant  is  of  ornamental  and  stately 
growth,  and  continues  in  flower  for  a  very  long  time.  It  can  be  grown 
in  a  warm  house  or  plant  stove  inWhe  compost  usually  recommended 
fer  Phaius.  , 
4 
mi 
