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
Like the other _Anguloas_ this is a plant of bold and majestic habit,
producing large dark green pseudobulbs several inches high, crowned with
the ample lively green foliage, which attains a foot and a half in
height. The flowers, which are ivory white, proceed from the base of the
pseudobulbs on scapes eight to ten inches in height. The character of
these plants is to show their flowers after their pseudobulbs are well
matured, and when the resting season has been completed, the young
growth also appearing at the same time. The flowers are generally
produced during the months of May and June, and last for several weeks
in beauty. It should, however, always be borne in mind that in order to
preserve them for any lengthened period, the flowers must be kept free
from contact with moisture, inasmuch as white blossoms seem to have a
greater tendency to spot than those of any other colours. Our present
subject makes a grand exhibition plant, and moreover, one which is quite
distinct in character.
We find the _Anguloas_ very accommodating, for in regard to their
cultivation they will do equally well either in the Cattleya house, or
in the cool Odontoglossum house. We cultivate them under both these
conditions, but when grown in the cooler atmosphere we generally take
them into the warmer house as they begin to show flower, and take them
back to the cool house after they have finished blooming. At this time
of the year—say June—the weather is warm, and we find that the cool
house suits them, and the conditions thus secured induce them to make
strong bulbs, which is a necessity if it is desired that they should
bloom freely.
We find rough fibrous peat to suit them as a compost, and they must have
good drainage. They should, moreover, be grown in pots. The roots
require to be kept moist during the time the plants are in vigorous
growth, but when their pseudobulbs are fully grown, which is the time
for rest, very little water is required, merely sufficient to keep the
bulbs plump. We find the best time for potting,—that is, if they require
it—to be just as they begin to grow, and show their flower buds. The
plants must be taken carefully out of their pots, and the soil being dry
it will readily fall from the roots; the old roots, then dead, must be
carefully cut away, and fresh ones will appear to supply their place.
After potting, the roots will become vigorous, which will enable them to
swell up their large pseudobulbs, and to perfect their flowers. They
must be grown near the glass in order to ripen their bulbs and
thoroughly mature their foliage, which, however, requires to be shaded
to keep it from getting scorched.
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