Orchideous Plants
Description
This section is from the book "A Dictionary Of Modern Gardening", by George William Johnson, David Landreth. Also available from Amazon: The Winter Harvest Handbook: Year Round Vegetable Production Using Deep Organic Techniques and Unheated Greenhouses.
Orchideous Plants
Orchideous Plants are chiefly herbaceous, a very few are even semi-frutescent; but all are characterized either by singular beauty or fragrance; and, as many of them are extremely impatient of cultivation, they have of late years obtained great attention from horticulturists; and pre-eminent among these, are Dr. Lindley, Mr. Lodiges, Mr. Bateman, Mr. Paxton, Mr. Catley, Mr. Clowes, etc.
Genera
Thelymitra.
Orthoceras.
Cryptostylis.
Prasophyllum.
Pelexia.
Listera.
Stenorhynchus.
Calopogon.
Cyrtostylis.
Eriochilus.
Lyperanthus.
Corallorhiza.
Caleya.
Corysanthes.
Prescotia.
Gastrodia.
Glossula.
Anacamptis.
Nigritella.
Aceras.
Ophrys.
Disa.
Gymnadenia.
Chamorchis.
Herminium.
Pterogodium.
Disperis.
Calanthe.
Octomeria.
Camaridium.
Ornithidium.
Ornithocephalus.
Cryptarrhena.
Vanda.
Sarcanthus.
Aeranthes.
Ionopsis.
Sarcochilus.
Geodorum.
Zygopetalum.
Anguloa.
Ceratochilus.
Encyclia.
Heterotaxis.
Xylobium.
Polystachya.
Gongora.
Trizeuxis.
Fernandesia.
Tribrachia.
Gomeza.
Brassavola.
Epidendrum.
Cattleya.
Isochilus.
Eria.
Anisopetalum.
Caelogyne.
Malaxis.
Microstylis.
Calypso.
Pleurothallis.
Stanhopea.
Stelis.
Tender Orchideous Plants
Dr. Lindley has given the following selections from the foregoing, with statements as to their appropriate modes of growth: -
"To grow orchidaceous plants in the highest state of perfection, several houses would be requisite; for example, there should be a cool house for those which inhabit the high lands of Mexico and Guatemala; a warm and moist one for others which grow in the hot damp valleys of India, and other parts of the tropics; a third, kept warm and dry, for containing those which are in a state of rest; and a fourth for plants in flower. But, however beautiful and interesting this tribe may be, few persons would go to this expense; and many have succeeded admirably in growing a selection mixed with other stove plants. It is difficult to give directions for the management of a house of this kind without seeing it, but the following should be attended to. Keep the orchidaceous plants as much together as possible, either at one side, or along the front itself. This is necessary in order that they may be kept more moist or shaded than the other plants. If the house fronts the south, shade will be indispensable during bright sunshine in summer and autumn. The temperature of it during the dull months of winter, that is from November to February, should not exceed 60° by night. As the spring advances, raise it to 65° and 70°, and it may be kept at that as long as artificial heat is necessary.
If the summer and autumn are warm, no fire will be required for two or three months. Always allow the temperature to sink several degrees lower at night than during the day. If this is done, and the stove kept damp enough, the plants will be covered with dew in the morning. The following is a list of those most suitable.
"1. To be grown in pots and placed near the warmest end of the stove. Dendrobium nobile, one of the most lovely yet known. Oncidium papilio, an interesting kind, having flowers like a butterfly. Peristeria elata, the beautiful dove flower. Miltonia Candida, Cattleya labiata, C. Mossice, C. crispa, C. intermedia, C. Harrisoniata: these flower in great profusion during summer, and are remarkable for their great beauty. Cymbidium sinense, with dingy coloured flowers, but very fragrant. Zygopetalum Mackaii, Z. intermedium, Z. crinitum, very showy and sweet-scented. Brassia caudata, B. Lanceana, and B. maculata. Acanthaphippium bi-color is easily cultivated, and produces a nest of flowers in spring. Gongora atropurpurea likes heat and moisture, the flowers are striking and curious.
"2. To be grown in polsand placed in the coolest end of the stove. Oncidium Cavendishianum produces large spikes of yellow flower. Cattleya Skinneri, Epidendrum Stamfordianum, whose flowers hang very gracefully, and the violet markings of them are delicate and beautiful. Trichopilia tortilis with finely spotted flowers. Catassetum maculatum, and Phasius grandifolius, which should be kept near the light, and is very thirsty while growing. Maxillaria aromatica and M. cruenta have fine yellow flowers, highly fragrant. M. tenuifolia has pretty spotted flowers. Cyrtochilium maculatum, and several varieties of it, are well worth cultivation.
"3. To be suspended in baskets, or on blocks of wood near the warmest end. Dendrobium cucullatum, maculatum, and fimbriatum, the former with rose coloured, the latter with pretty yellow fringed flowers. Oncidium am-pliatum, large varieties; 0. Lanceanum, one of the best of the genus, will also do well in a pot. Aerides odoratum, very sweet; Saccolabium gut latum; both of these want a very warm and moist situation, but their beautiful rose and lilac blossoms will repay any trouble.
"4. To be suspended in baskets, or blocks of wood near the coolest end of the stove. Laelia autumnalis, L. albida, and L. anceps, are very ornamental, resembling Cattleyas. Oncidium leuco-chilum is easily grown, and the delicate white of the lip contrasts well with the brown markings of the other parts of the flower. Odontoglossum grande, whose flowers are very large and particularly striking. Stanhopea tigrina and several other species send their flowers downwards in the same direction as the roots, and have a very curious appearance." - Gard. Chron.
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