The Orchid Album, Volume 3: Comprising Coloured Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, and Beautiful Orchidaceous PlantsMoore, Thomas
Science
The Orchid Album, Volume 3: Comprising Coloured Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, and Beautiful Orchidaceous Plants
Moore, Thomas
Orchids; Orchids -- Pictorial works
The variety of _Warscewiczella Wendlandi_, which we now illustrate, is a
well marked form as regards the distinctive colours of the sepals and
the labellum or lip; it is a small plant of compact growth, taking but
little room, and blooming very freely. Our drawing was taken from a
healthy specimen in the interesting collection of A. H. Smee, Esq., of
the Grange, Carshalton, who is trying many experiments in Orchid
culture, some of which we have no doubt will succeed, and throw light on
obscure points of management. The present time offers a good opportunity
to make experiments with Orchids, as it can be done without the risk of
incurring any serious expense should they fail, for many kinds of
Orchids are cheap, and of course those which are costly would not in
this way be exposed to risk.
_Warscewiczella Wendlandi discolor_, the particular form here
represented, is an evergreen plant, with light green foliage, which
arises from a short stem scarcely forming a pseudobulb, and grows to the
height of some six or eight inches. The flowers proceed singly from the
axils of the leaves, and have the sepals and petals of a yellowish
green, while the broad squarish lip, which is white at the edge where it
is deeply cut and much crisped, bears a large violet blotch in the
centre. The perfume is very delicious. The plant flowers during August
and September, and lasts for about two weeks in beauty.
This plant is allied to the genera (or sub-genera) _Bollea_ and
_Warrea_, and requires the same kind of treatment as is successful with
them. We have seen them grown in different ways, and thriving well, but
they are plants that require careful treatment, and must never be
neglected. It is necessary always to give them close attention as
regards the supply of moisture at the roots, for they have no thick
fleshy pseudobulbs to support them should the artificial help fail. They
grow in tufts of small short crowns scarcely forming bulbs, and it is
from these that the leaves are developed. Being small growing plants, we
find they do well on blocks of wood, with the roots surrounded by living
sphagnum moss, the blocks being suspended from the roof. They must not
have too much sun; indeed, as the leaves are of a thin texture, they
require shade, but with all the light that can possibly be given them
without exposing them to burning sunshine. We find the cool end of the
East India house to suit them, and here we give them a good supply of
moisture at the roots during the summer season. They must always be kept
moist, and should not even during winter be allowed to get dry, for they
are nearly always growing, and so require a continual supply of
sustenance. If grown in pots or in pans, they will require less moisture
than when on blocks. One thing must always be borne in mind, and that is
to keep them free from insects.
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