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O N C I D I U M JONESIANUM jícm./.
(Tcrcliroii.1.) Folio tcrcli subulsto acuroinsto, rarissima u«iiic pcdnli, lili Oncklií acisccnciciitis Lindl, s
tcpalisquc cuncato ohlorgis obtusis lindulatis, tep.lis paulisper niajoribus, l.ibcllo basi huiiier.-ilci utriiiquc oblongo
subreiiiformi biIob.i, rallo biiscos qiiinquímcmbnilo, carina mediana ullra apicetn ; Ininina scniipatclhiri in basi, lamina
liapulis acutis dcntibusquc advcniitiis non mi II is, tabula inírastignialica producta, aliis subquaclratis, nunc angqstis.'Jinis,
plurilloro, grandilloro ; sepa
mo brevi, lacinia antica rnnRi
i minori oblusanKula utrimii
ONCIUIUM JONESIANUM, Rchb. f., Card. Chrun., iV. S., x x . , Dcc. 22, 1883, p. 781.
Scpola ct tci)ala ¡ilbida sou albido straminea niaculis iiiimcrosis brunneis. Labdlum auriculis bascos flavis, callis albido
Ntmc macula; brunnca: nulla;, nunc numerosa: in latello talc spccimcn pulchcrrimum misil oxc, Baron Ilnjby l'czkawonsis.
piirjiurco sou brunnco pietà.
Paraguay, St. Lcger. Nunc magna copia col i tas in Anglia ub
ic, Sander.
Í. I'II,I;ANTIIUM ; Scpalis tcpali.Kiuc brunneis, callo reducto. (Il
pulchcrrima spccimiiia vidi in collcclionibus Sir Trevor Laivr
ibuitantuni ab exc. F,q. Trevor Uv^'rnice.)
ce, Mr. Lee, a,
/ / . C. AV/
postiee. Omnia ;
I r is not often that such a beautiful Orchid as this is finds its way into cultivation under such singular circuinstances.
Probably, no Iiuropean knew of its existence until about four or five years ago, and tlie plant actually flowered in
England before anyone was aware of its extreme beauty. Its introduction to Europe is due solely to Möns. St. Lcger, a
resident in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay. The Orchid was first discovered by him when travelling northwards in
Paraguay, on the borders of Matto Grasso, and he at once sent dried flowers of it to England, but, as no [xirticular beauty
was discerned in tlicm, not much notice was taken of the discovery at the time. In 1883 Mr St. Uger arrived in England
with a large collection of Orchids which he had gathered in his travels, and these included Oncidinni Jone.sianum. The
|)!ants of it were sold by auction in London, but did not realise high prices, as they so ne;irly resembled another tereteleaved
and not very showy Oncidium, viz., O. Cebolleta, and Orchid growers suspccted the new arrival to be identlciil
with that species. Those who bought the strange looking Orchid so cheaply soon found that they possessed not only a
beautiful, but one of the most distinct Orchids in cultivation.
The plant as .shown in our plate is so admirably depicted by the artist that a description of it is scarcely nccessary.
Of the two varieties here represented, the large spike shows a good form, coloured in the usual way, while the other
represents a variety that, up to the present time, is unique as regards the peculiar coloration of the flowers ; this plant i-s
now in the possession of Sir Trevor Lawrence. Seeing that this very distinct variety has so soon api)carcd, wc may
exjMCt other beautiful forms to occur out of the thousands of plants that have been imported. So far, there has been no
variation as regards the habit of growth in the plant. The natural tendency of the leaves to grow downwards i.s a
peculiarity which characterises a few other Orchids, notably Cattleya citrina and the Scuticarias.
If treated similarly to the Mexican Orchids this Oncid is one of the easiest plants to grow and flower
well, as the climate of the northern parts of Paraguay is similar to that of Mexico. The summers arc very
hot and the winters cold, consequently the plants develop their growth <¡uickly, and afterwards enjoy a protractcd period
of rest. The best way to grow this Oncid is on blocks of some hard wood, such as that of the apple or thorn, or
preferably on teak rafts, as these are more durable and have a neater appearance. The plants should be firmly fastened
leaves downwards to the blocks or rafts with coppcr wire, and ample space should be allowed on each block or raft for the
future growth of the plant, as it is not an easy matter to remove the fleshy roots after they have once fastened themselves
upon the wood. The plants usually commence active growth in April, and should then be suspended close under the roof,
in a light position, and in a moist and warm atmosphere, like that of an East Indian house. The plants should be placed
in full sun, as shading induces a soft growth, and they require to be frequently syringed during the daytime. The
growths continue to develop until about the end of September, which is the close of the flowering season. When the
new pseudo-bulbs are fully grown the plants should be removed to a cooler temperature, and syringed once a day throughout
the \viiner until Februaiy, ^vhen signs of returning activity in the plants arc ajiparent. They should then be syringed
more frequently, and the temperature will naturally rise with the longer days. This treatment continues till April, when
the plants are removed to the East Indian house as their summer quarters.
ONCIUIUSI J0!C1;S!.\>:UM draivn from a plant in IHC possession 0
a plant in the cnllc