.ili'i
D E N D R O B I Ü M PHAL,'ENOPSlS /»tiW,/,
is pAltidls tc
lis ; scpulis ovato-lan<
.is I Inbello s-int
s aoiminatis 4—<3 polltccs longis : rt
;olaiis aciirainatiii palüdis nci vis rutin
linco-purimrco ; lobts lalcralibus rtilii
10 pagus of the Cardauri C
axilUribus lonf^ pcdui
incurvis, imcrmcdio lingTierormi-'oblongo ncuto basin versus 5—7-cannalo carinis rugulosia, calcarc recto ol
DKNlHtnmUM PilAL/l!X01'?IS, Fitzgcriild in Card. Cliron., l83o, pU 2, p. 3S ; kl., Austr.-J, Orch, vo
Orcliid Album, !V., t. 1S7 ; Card. Clirnn., 1886, pt 2, p. 556, iig. 110 ; Vc-ilch Man. Orch, I'l., pt. 3, j). 68, cui
Var- Statteriakum, Sander Rcichcnbnchia, scr. 2, vol. i, p. 15, t 7-
The superb orchid «'hieh is the subjccl of the prcsc-tit plate was originally described by Mr. Fitzt , . „
1880 wliciiee we learn that it was obtained near Cooktoivn, in Queensland, and flowered in the collcction of Captain U loom field, of Italmain, in April „ .
ye ir' The author remarks • " I have given lliis fine.<il of the Australian Dendrobe,? the name Phatenopsis, from Ihe likeness of ils Aovvers to roolhs, and i
their likeness to those of the genus Plialarnopsis." A line figui-c was aOenvards given by ihe same author in his superbly illustraled On/.
lis iniroduclion to European gardens appears to be due to Mr. H. O. Forbes, who, aide<l by granis froro the British Association, v«« enabled to spend
monllisof July, Ausiisl, and September, i8S2,in exploring Iho Timor laut or Tcnimber Islands, They form a small Archipelago, situated - '
Australia, about h;df way between tho island of Timor and the iVni Islam
remarked, "On ihe coral rocks b)- the seashore several speeies of orchids
Larat, where It faces Ihc wind entering from the southern sea, I found
half shrivelled llowcrs." A living specimen was transmitted to Kov, where it flow
A figure was prepared from Ihis plant, and published in the Holaniial Mngn^implant,
when Messrs. F. Sander & Co., of St. Albans, secured, through
of
nt of their smaller and d
New Guinea, which were distr
tlic deepest erimson-purplc, w
localities, which, however, are 1
from Tin
. The present plate, prepared fn
Mciety St
. These
I some prettily variegated varieties in a
a very great distance apart. It may als'
it nearlj' allied to U. bigibbuni, Urn
Keport M
s. On trees at Cape VVatoe Sianga, in
lid ; but I have been able only lo see
) be Identical with Fitzgerald's species.
olTshoots from this original
a small Island olT New Guinea, which on
tain«! a magnificent batch of planU from
hislory ivas previo
•hich I have obtained livin
and, I imagjnc, a ncw spc
red in Septembcr, iSSiJ, an
For some yeani ali the pia
eollectors, a batch of pian
ing liave exhibiled a remarkable range of colour, from delieatc blush up to
Thus we have evidence Ihat the species grows i^ three or four^di^^erent
altc^cther finer, wilh a very difl"crent crest and other distinguishing eharac-
- - original Kew plant. K.A.Rolf,.
This is one of the mnst ornfimental of the evergreen section of this extensive and magnificent genus, of easy and free
growth, compared to the species and varieties of this great family inhabiting North Australia and New Guinea. The
pseudo-bnlbs are clotlied near the apex witli about a dozen broadly-lanceolate leaves. The Rowers are borne on terminal,
simple, or branching racemes, from ten to thirty in number, to 4 j i inches across, brilliantly coloured. They last a
long tin
e in perfection, and are well adapted for personal ornament, as also for all kinds of table and room decoration,
b grow this magnificent species to perfection, much heat and light is necessary. A pine stove suits it admirably;
it will also grow freely in a temperature suited to Crotons and Ixoras. It is indispensable for the production of an
abundance of flowers that the pseudo-bulbs should be well ripened—hence light, heat, and air are the great and important
factors in its cultivation. It is best grown in baskets or pans—in peat and sphagnum moss—and suspended in the
highest and hottest part of the stovehouse during its season of growth. When this is completed, the plant should be
rested in a lower temperature, but never allowed lo shrivel through dryness.
In its native home, girt by the sea, and eternally washed by its spray, the plants attain a great s
and bear a
prodigious number of Howers—often as many as six spikes on a single stem. They are never really dry for long.
This would be impossible, owing to the heavy night dews; but their principal growing time is \vhen the rainy
r less every day for three months, the temperature all the time being very high. At
end of this time Dendrobium Phatenopsis has made growths between 3 and 4 feet in length, and
I's thumb I
The variety " Schroederianum," which we introduced last year, is of remarkable and great beauty ;
s thick a