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ONCIDIUM CONCOLOR am.
ligo quad rilobo, lamcllis
icidium concolor, Mook,
icr. Williams, T. Moorc,
^ PscuUobiilbi oblong^ com pressi
anicii latus, vulgo siinpli
um usquo CTiitiala. 'I'cpala submajora |.
> quadrilobum. Lfimclte gemina; hur
•• • :u margoni.
diphylli. Folla pcrgamcnea.
tìs diphyllis, folus cuncaloligulalis acuii», racemo nunc
ii, columna; alis ligylalis acutis vulgo apice renexi.s.
vi., 1840, 3752 I ; Lindi., Folia Oncidium, p. 21, Nr. 6; ;
TI, I., I 1 ; 111. Mort., 3 Scr-, tiib. 4871
" • l'cduiiculus
triangul® parra, Flores speciosi. Sepalum irai>a
IJibcllum supra Ucscriptum, ab ungue laliuscuìo si '
:ii ungue. Columns auricula; oblusaiigula: .icut.T,
:it in II
entura. Sépala íatc
ibquadrato obluMnj
•., in Walp. Ann.
i.T sulMHiualia, ad
ic utpote quod planla v
MANY OrcliidisU consider that this Braziliaii Oiicitlium is one of the loveliest Orchids yet introduced to Eiiro|)ean
gardens. That it has few, if any, rivals among tlie multitude of Onoidia no one can dispute. Tho-e is no need to
compare it with such giorious plants as O. varicosum Rogersii, Marshall ianum, and others, because it has a beauty
peculiarly its own. It is neat yet elegant in growth, and the painter's art cannot produce a purer or more beautiful yellow
than its flowers possess. A vtiy few years ago tliis Oncidium was among the rarest of the rare in gardens, but now
it lights up numberless Orchid houses in early summer with glowing cloud-like masses of yellow, and we hope that our
present portrait may render it even more popular. It is in one sense quite an old Orchid, having been brought to this
country in 1837, just half-a-century ago. It was first grown and flowered in the Duke of Bedford's garden at
Woburn Abbey, the plants having been sent by the late Mr. Gardner from the Organ Mountains in Brazil. Oncidium
concolor was figured in the Botanical Magazine in 1840, but the drawing does not well represent the plant.
This Orchid is so different from all other Oncidia that it may be at once recognised, and those who have seen
it grown and flowered to perfection will not readily forget it. The finest spikes measure a foot or more in length,
and bear flo>vers so numerous as to form a dense wreath. The natural tendency of the flower spikes is to droop,
and if the plants are grown in suspended baskets or on blocks, as they should be, these pendulous spikes have a
charming effect. It is a mistake to tie the spikes erect to a rigid stake, as is sometimes done; it destroys half the beauty
of the plant.
We prefer growing this Orchid on blocks; a little fibrous peat is placed around the bulbs, and this is sufficient
to keep the roots moist. The growing season e.xtends from about April till October, throughout which period
the plants, if on blocks, cannot have too much moisture, and they should, therefore, be syringed tivice a-day. Tiiey
like a cool treatment during growth and not too much shade. The Odontoglossum house suits them well during the
growing season, but in the resting period, from October to March, the plants should be removed to a cool end of the
"Oittleya house, so as to keep them dry; during winter very little moisture is required. The plants flower in April
and May and last a month or longer in bloom.
Our plale wa< ilr.iwn Trnm a pl.mt in ilic Ilolanic Garden, Ziuicli. (Inspcelor: li^. Ortgics.)