December  2,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
535 
Vanda  Sanderiana. 
This  interesting  Orchid  was  first  introduced  into  this  country  in 
1882  by  IMessrs.  F.  Sander  &  Co.,  and  lias  since  attained  an  immense 
popularity.  It  produces  leaves  that  are  upwards  of  a  foot  in  length 
and  about  1  inch  in  breadth.  The  flowers,  which  are  borne  on  long 
racemes,  average  about  4  inches  across.  The  dorsal  sepal  is  pale  rose, 
lateral  ones  yellowish  Avith  red  veins  finely  marked  ;  petals  rose,  each 
with  a  small  patch  of  red  spots ;  the  lip  is  small,  dull  yellow  with  red 
streaks.  We  hope  this  information,  with  the  Avoodcut  (fig.  79), 
will  be  of  service  to  “Young  Orchid  Grower,”  and  also  to  others. 
Vanda  ccerulea. 
This  is  one  of  the  most  charming  Orchids  in  existence,  the  lovely 
pale  blue  fioAvers  comparing  favourably  Avith  those  of  any 
other  kind.  A  great  deal  of  variation  exists  among  the 
blossoms,  some  being  of  quite  a  deep  blue,  others  much 
paler,  Avhile  some,  and  these  are  usually  looked  upon  as 
the  poorest,  are  only  a  shade  or  tAAm  from  pure  Avhite.  The 
width  of  the  segments,  too,  varies  considerably ;  the  edges 
of  these  o\mrlapping  in  its  best  forms,  and  these  make  up 
a  beautiful  and  bold  floAver.  The  spikes  are  graceful, 
and  freely  produced  on  healthy  vigorous  plants,  making  a 
fine  display  during  the  autumn  and  early  Avinter.  Its 
culture  is  not  difficult  when  a  suitable  position  for  it  is 
found,  but  this  is  not  ahvays  easy. 
There  has  recently  been  a  good  deal  of  controversy  in  the 
gardening  press  respecting  the  length  of  life  under  cultivation 
of  various  Orchids,  and  Avithout  entering  into  this  it  may 
be  at  once  admitted  that  there  are  certain  species  that  for 
many  years  — an  indefinite  time,  in  fact — go  on  and  flourish 
under  our  care.  Year  after  year  adds  to  the  bulk  of  the 
specimens,  and  small  pieces  lopped  off,  or  divided  portions, 
as  the  case  may  be,  are  grown  to  sprecimen  size  Avith  little 
trouble.  On  the  other  hand  there  are  kinds  that,  although 
they  do  well  for  a  feAv  years  in  Orchid  houses,  ultimately 
find  the  conditions  not  to  their  taste,  and  a  backAvard 
tendency  sets  in  that  it  is  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to 
arrest. 
In  the  latter  category  this  beautiful  plant  I  am  afraid 
must  be  pilaced,  for  although  instances  of  successful  culture 
over  a  long  series  of  years  may  be  on  record,  there  is  no 
disputing  the  fact  that  Vanda  ccerulea  as  a  rule  panes  under 
cultivat  on  for  the  ever-changing,  yet  ahvays  correct  climate 
of  its  native  haunts;  for  the  buoyant  atmosphere  of  the 
hills  whereon  it  is  found  in  such  luxuriance;  for  the 
boundless  canopy  of  Nature  instead  of  the  strictly  limited 
one  AA’e  provide  for  it  in  our  Orchid  houses.  To  yearn  for 
the  unattainable,  however,  is  not  the  fashion  among  culti¬ 
vators,  and  it  lehoves  us  to  do  our  best  Avith  the  means  at 
command. 
What,  then,  are  the  conditions  under  Avhich  this  pfiant 
is  found  groAving  naturally,  and  how  can  Ave  best  repilace 
these  under  cultivation  ?  Collectors  tell  us  that  on  the 
Khasia  Hills  the  temperature  often  drops  far  below  the 
freezing  point,  and  this  very  Orchid  is  often  covered  Avith  hoar  frost. 
During  the  warm  season,  OAving  to  the  thinness  of  foliage  on  the 
trees  it  inhabits,  it  must  be  exposed  to  nearly  the  full  poAver  of  the 
tropical  sun.  This  is  tempered  by  frequent  drenching  rains,  causing 
always  a  damp  atmosphere,  but  none  the  less  these  conditions  are 
much  too  extreme  for  us  to  imitate  under  cultivation,  and  we  have 
to  strike  a  balance  as  near  as  may  be  betAveen  them,  lessening  the 
heat  in  summer  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  cold  in  vvinter  on  the  other. 
The  East  Indian  house  is  too  hot  for  the  pfiant,  without  doubt,  and 
I  knoAV  of  no  better  position  for  it  than  one  close  to  the  glass,  and  it 
possible  close  to  the  ventilator,  in  the  highest  and  sunniest  prart  of  the 
Cattleya  house.  In  such  a  prosition  I  have  had  the  best  results,  for 
there  is  plenty  of  Avarmth  and  moisture  to  encourage  free  growth, 
while  the  abundant  light  and  free  circulation  of  air  tends  to  consolidate 
the  system  of  the  plant  and  the  individual  leaves  as  they  are  formed. 
During  winter,  or  Avhen  groAvth  is  inactive,  it  may  have  even  colder 
quarters,  for  there  are  feAV  in  this  section  that  rest  more  perfectly  than 
the  species  under  notice. 
For  years  I  kept  several  pilants  in  a  house  devoted  to  Avinter 
flowering  greenhouse  plants,  generally  Avliere  on  cold  nights  the 
temperature  Avas  frequently  beloAv  40°,  and  although  this  seems  very 
loAV,  I  can  only  say  that  the  plants  were  subjected  to  it  and  did  Avell, 
starting  vigorously  in  early  summer,  and  flowering  profusely  every 
autumn.  When  groAvth  is  active,  light  dewings  of  this  Orchid  several 
times  daily  are  of  great  assistance,  hut  this,  of  course,  AA’ould  be  dis¬ 
continued  in  dull  or  rainy  Aveather,  and  Avhen  thefloAver  spikes  appear. 
While  in  bloom  it  is  Avell  to  keep  in  mind  the  fact  that  too  little 
atmospheric  moisture  is  injurious  to  the  plants,  but  too  much  shortens 
the  life  of  the  blossoms  by  damping. 
With  regard  to  a  rooting  medium  this  may  be  described  as  the 
least  important  ]3oint  in  its  cultivation.  By  this  I  do  not  mean  that 
it  will  thrive  with  careless  potting,  blocking,  or  what  not,  but  that 
the  roots  are  not  fastidious  about  Avhat  they  lay  hold  of,  and  seem  to 
thrive  equally  Avell  about  the  rods  of  a  AA'ood  basket,  over  the  surface  of 
rough  blocks,  or  pilanted  in  pjots  of  sphagnum  moss.  But  the  rooting 
medium  must  be  well  drained,  and  err  on  the  side  of  poorness  rather 
than  richness,  or  a  close  heavy  description  of  material.  The  smaller 
the  receptacle  in  reason  the  better,  for  the  roots  of  V.  coerulea  are  not 
nearly  so  ambitious  in  pushing  away  from  the  centre  of  growth  as  are  , 
those  of  most  Vandas  of  a  like  habit. 
They  groAv  and  thrive  Avhen  coiled  around  each  other  and  over 
the  sides  of  the  pot  or  basket,  and  as  long  as  moisture  is  provided  they 
will  be  all  right.  Insects  are  not  as  a  rule  troublesome,  and  may  be 
Fig.  79.  Vanda  Sanderiana. 
kept  under  by  ordinary  vigilance,  but  drip  must  be  carefully  guarded 
against,  many  fine  specimens  having  been  ruined  by  cold  icy  water 
falling  from  the  roof  into  the  centre  of  growth.  As  noted  above, 
Vanda  coerulea  is  a  native  of  the  Khasia  Hills,  where  it  Av^as  dis¬ 
covered  by  the  Indian  botanist,  Griffith,  many  years  before  it  Avas 
introduced  to  cultivation  by  Mr.  Thomas  Lobb,  who  sent  plants  of 
it  to  the  Messrs.  Veitch. — H.  R.  R. 
BEllICOTE  HOUSE. 
Pleasantly  situated  on  rising  ground  a  few  miles  from  Leamington 
Spa  is  the  delightful  residence  of  Captain  Starkey.  Being  in  the  neigh¬ 
bourhood  a  few  days  ago  I  thought  I  would  call  upon  IMr.  J.  Tancock, 
the  energetic  gardener  there,  as  I  felt  sure  I  should  find  something  of 
interest,  even  at  this  dull  season. 
Although  not  an  extensive  place  it  is  exceedingly  well  kept,  and  in 
summer  time  the  grounds  around  the  mansion  must  be  delightful  indeed, 
for  from  the  grassy  slopes  and  level  stretches  of  lawn  a  fine  vieAV  is 
obtained  of  the  open  country  in  front,  which  rises  gradually  up  to  the 
pretty  Warwickshire  town,  whose  Avaters  are  famed  for  their  medicinal 
properties.  In  the  plant  houses  I  found  the  best  of  order  was  maintained, 
the  plants  being  also  in  splendid  health.  Crotons,  Palms,  Ferns,  and 
