ODONTOGLOSSUM GRANDE,
G R E A T O D O N T O G L O S S U M.
O. (XANTHOGLOSSUM) pseudobulbis ovatis compressis dipliyllis, foliis coriaeeis oblongoensiformibus
scapo simplici brevioribus, sepalis lanceolatis lateralibus eouvexis f'alcatis
petalisque oblongis obtusiusculis latioribus subuudulatis, labello subrotundo basi auriculato
sepalis plus duplo breviore, disci crista apice truucata bituberculata utrinque in medio
deute ealloque aucta, columnse tomentosa; auriculis rotundatis convexis incurvis.
ODONTOGLOSSUM GRANDE, Limit, ill Hot. Reg. 1840, Misc. 94; Bateman, Orchid. Mem. t. 21; Morren. Ann. Gand. i. I. 37.
Habitat in GUATEMALA, Skinner, llarficcg.
DESCRIPTION.
PSEUDOBULBS compressed, broadly ovate, 2 or 3 inches long, bearing 1 or more frequently 2 leathery, oblong-cnsiform
LEAVES, which, as well as the pseudobulbs, have always more or less of a pale-glaucous hue. SCAPE twice the length
of the leaves, 4r8-floicered. BKACTS sheathing, acute, half the length of the ovary. FLOWERS very large, in some
varieties 7 inches or more from the lip of expanded petals. SEPALS lanceolate, the lateral ones convex and falcate.
PETALS wider than the sepals, and, like them, of a rich yellow colour, marked with large deep-cinnamon bands and
blotches, oblong, somewhat obtuse at their extremities, and slightly waved at the margin. LIP not half the length of
the sepals, nearly round, whitish, with a few crimson stains near the crest, which is of rich orange-yellow, marked with
deep-orange spots, and is seated on the disk of the lip ; it consists of 2 large truncate processes in front, with 2 or 4
small teeth at its base; its auricles lum their edges down until they meet under the disk of the lip, and there grow
together. COLUMN downy, with a rounded, incurved, convex auricle on either side.
Mr. Skinner was the fortunate discoverer of this noble Odontoglossum which to this day remains unsurpassed, even
among all the fine additions that have of late years been made to the genus. Mr. Skinner found it in a " barranca " (or
dark ravine) in the environs of the city of Guatemala, and so closely had it lain concealed that even his quick eye failed
to detect it until long after he had, as he thought, exhausted the district of all its finest Orchids. It was afterwards met
with in other localities, but invariably in a climate of which the ordinary range of temperature lay between 00° and 70°,
and in situations where it was secure of abundant moisture and constant shade. In these peculiarities of its natural
habitat the conditions of its successful cultivation are clearly pointed out; yet, strange to say, they were unheeded for
tv c I) ) i 1 n hich the plants in our Orchid-houses were always in a feeble and sickly state, rarely producing more
than two or three llowers on a scape, while the imported specimens showed that at least double that number was the
proper quota. Now, however, the case is different, for with a mild temperature aud moderate shade they are found to be
managed with the most perfect ease and to grow with a vigour that could never have been exceeded in their native wilds.
In proof of this we need only turn to the vignette, which is copied from a beautiful photograph kindly sent to me by
Joshua Saunders, Esq., and which represents a specimen of O. grande as it appeared when flowering in his collection
at Clifton. As a further evidence of the case with which the plant may be grown I may mention that under the care of
Major Trevor Clarke it has been induced to bloom in the open air during the summer months. This, however, must only
be looked upon as an interesting experiment and is not recommended for imitation.
0. grande usually flowers in July or August, when the season's growth is nearly completed; after this it should