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C Y P R I I ' E D I U M NIVEUM avm/
(Acauli« coriifoll.-,) Foli!» obloi
Brucili, crccto, braciai ancipiii, spalluc
Uitcralibus ovalolriatigulis labcllo bnivioi
scu rJioinbeo obtosangiilo, antico ciim .ip
CvrainviiiUM NivituM, Rchb. f
IK. gutlatis, infcme purpureo reliculatis, pcdunculii villoso, pro]jc «cmpcr uiiilluro,
imo brcviori, sepalo impnri Ironsvcrso clliptico apice viilgu citiargiiimu, scpalis
Ilo obluse sacrato, lobis implicilis obliisangulis, si
2 ! ; J'Ioral Mag., 543 ! ; Card. CI
In Tambflan l5lan<Is detecl
io Qiicdah cxc. l-órstcmiimn i
ic solum supra le pain, ni
l'riimiin noruit apud <Ii
cs analj'tica;. Colunina Omnia suda.
Lisss lhan twenty years ago a white Lady's Slipper Orchid was beyond the wildest dreams of even enthusiastic orchidists,
so that when tidings reached this country that Mr. d'AImeida had discovered Cypripediuin iiiveiim, a white flowered
specits, in one of the unexplored islands of the Malayan Archi|)elago, the account was scarcely credited. Its near
relative, Cypripediuin concolor, already existed in gardens, and when the newly found treasure arrived it was considered
by some to be only a form of that species, the foliage of the two being so nearly alike, but the flowering of C. niveum
soon after proved that the description of the novelty given by its discovercr was not exaggerated. We have in this
Cypripedium a plant handsome in foliage, with a flower of exquisite beauty, both as regards its form and colour. It is
undeniably the gem in a genus rich in beautiful plants, and ever since its introduction it has deservedly been one of the
chief favourites in the Orchid house. Fortunately, it is not a difficult plant to manage now that its requirements are
known ; the information given by botanical collectors respecting the conditions under which the plant grows wild has
been a great help to orchidists. One of our own collcctors, J. Forstermann, sent us some valuable notes respecting this
Orchid. He says that it inhabits the islands of Lancavii, near Penang, in Siamese territoiy, and grows there on
limestone mountains, generally on the western sides where it is not much exposed to the .sun, and often the crevices of the
rocky hills are crowded ^^'ith it. It is seldom found growing on perpendicular rocks as are other Cypripedia. With regard to
the climatic conditions of the home of C. niveum, Fdrstermann says that the hottest months are April and May; the
coldest period being from December to March, during which time the thermometer is often as low as 55 dcg. P"., anil it is
then that the plant is at rest. In April and May only a few light rain showers occur, but in June the rainy season
commences and continues till November, and it is during this period that the Cypripedia inhabiting this region arc in
active growth. In cultivation the treatment of this Orehid must therefore be based upon the conditions under which it
grows naturally as regards the periods of rest and active growth. It succeeds best in an East Indian hou.se, on the south
side, and during activc growth from April till June the temperature may i-ange from 70 deg, to 90 deg. F. with sun heat.
The plant requires abundance of water during this period, and an occasional .syringing overhead will be bencficial. As
autumn advances the waterings must be gradually lessened until in winter, when the plant will be quite at rest, little or
no water is required, as excessive moisture combined with low tem|>eraturc soon induces decay in the leaves and crown of
the plant. A well drained shallow pan is best for it, and the soil should consist of turfy loam roughly broken, equal parts
of broken charcoal and soft limestone, and just sufticient coarse sand to keep the compost open. This treatment will
conduce to strong vigorous plants that should produce abundant crops of Rowers during the early summer months,
remaining in perfection for se\'eral weeks. The flowers of C. niveum vary considerably as regards size, form and
spotting. The variety herewith illustrated is remarkable for its large flower-s, broad sepals and profusion of spotting, and
is in fact the finest form yet introduced.
Troiii a plant in llic cnllcclion nf Capl. Vipan, Stibbinglon Hall, Wnnsford.