S A C C O L A B I U M GIGANTEUM Umii.
labelli lam
media ligu
lO dcnsifloro, sepal is cu
cuncato (InbcllaU apicc
in lalus calcaris "
acuii», icpalis a
liams, T. Mc
Vakha
ia Orcliidacca,
I, Lindl., •
Album, II., 501
Lirdl., in Pa
ct Spcc. Oreh., s
1. Card., II
Crescit in Hurma, Siam, Cochinchina.
b tab., 42 (Vand.-i tricolori),
bcnes, xvii., 1765, 17CÓI
amclhystliHim. Scpala ct tcpain alba maculi
purpurei« niaculisque parvis purpurcis. Column a viridis gultii
:)'linilniC7a-coiiico
¡7, 2Ö1; Hook, Dot, Mag., xdii., 18Ö7, 5635 I i VVarnor,
luraeration of the Spccies of Vanda, Nr. 11, ]). 21. Lindl.
ihystinis. Ijbclluin allium antico plus minus
ni .era oc irò cuca, roslm anUo)^^^ <1,
Figura: nalytica... •a ulroquc latere.
AMONG what are commonly called East Indian Orchids there are few, if any, rivals to this superb species which is
undeniably the queen of a numerous and very beautiful genus. The noble growth of the plant, the mas,sive spikes of
brilliantly-coloured blossoms, combined with their spicy fragrance render it one of the finest Orchids in cultivation. It is
quite an old introduction having been brought to England from the jungles of Burmah over twenty-five years ago, It
was known to botanists long before that date, for it happened to fall in the track of the collectors associated with that
famous Indian botinist the late Dr. \A'allich when he \vas exploring the region of East India. Wallich described this
Orchid in glowing terms, but not until it was first flowered in England could material be obtained to justify his
description. Lindley subsequently named it Vanda densiflora, but aftenvards returned to its first name.
The plant was first flowered in Europe at Farnham Castle, in Surrey, where the late Bishop of Winchester, an
ardent lover of Orchids, formed one of the finest collections in England. He received the plant from a friend in Burmah
in 1859, and three years later it bloomed, revealing such beautiful and fragrant flowers as to astonish even those who
expccted to see a wonderful Orchid. The plant was three feet in height w^hen imported, and in each leaf axil were the
remains of a flower spike over a foot long. It is one of the freest flowering of all the Saccolabia, but is somewhat slow in
growth. It is found wild along the whole coast line of the Malayan Archipelago, Siam and Cambodia, and in Cochin China,
and this wide geographical range has given rise to several distinct varieties, one of the most remarkable being that named
illustre, which differs from the tyjje in ha\'ing longer and broader leaves, a longer flower raceme, and more brilliantlycoloured
blossoms. This variety occurs in Qtmbodia, but even the plants collected in other localities vary considerably
a s regards the intensity of the colour, some forms being very much darker and finer than others. There is also a pure
albino, but this, like other white varieties is extremely rare. This Saccolabium has been imported in large quantities,
owing to the facility with which the plants can be collected, and they usually arrive here in good condition. It grows
naturally in low places, but in rather dry situations, very often on trees in paddy and other cultivated fields, and generally
U|)on the trunks below the branches. In European gardens it blooms during the winter months.
This Saccolabium must be cultivated in a warm and moist house in company with Vandas, Ai-ridcs and other East
Indian Orchids. Being of large growth, it is best to grow it in pots, and the plants should be placed in a light position,
but shaded from fierce sunlight. Like other Orchids of a similar nature, it has a season of activ'c growth, and aftervrariis
a season of rest, corresponding with the hot and cool seasons in its native habitat, The cool season occurs from
November till March, when a period of dry heat sets in, followed by the rainy season, beginning in June and lasting for
several \\-ccks. During the I'ainy season these e|3iphytic Orchids are in active gl•o^vth, and by the time the new foliage is
matured, the cool season rccurs. It is easy to imitate these conditions in cultivation. In June and throughout the
summer the plants must have abundance of heat and moistui-e. The resting season occurs after flowering, when the plants
must have a cooler and drier treatment until the spring. A dry atmosi>here during the cooler treatment is most essential,
as this and other Saccolabia are liable to leaf spot at all times. It is best to obtain imported plants about September.
I'latc drawn in the Dell collcction by penni5s!r>n of llarnn ]. l-I. \V. Schrfjtlcr.