ONCIDIUM PHALÆNOPSIS. [Plate 96.] Native of Ecuador.

ONCIDIUM PHALÆNOPSIS. [Plate 96.] Native of Ecuador.

Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs oblong, furrowed, about two inches long, of a dark green colour, with abortive leaves at their base. Leaves ligulate, broadest upwards, acute, somewhat narrowed and channelled towards the base, six to eight inches long or more, pale green. Racemes from the axils of the abortive leaves at the base of the bulbs, the flowers seated on longish pedicels having small appressed bracts at their base. Flowers narrow-oblong in outline, an inch and a half or more in length, and a little over an inch broad, the lip comparatively large and conspicuous; sepals three, the dorsal one oblong, acute, venosely marbled with purple, and having a white margin, the lateral ones of the same colours, concealed by the lip, oblong-lanceolate, united in the lower half and directed downwards; petals spreading, oblong-obovate apiculate, white, with two or three broad transverse blotches of deep rich purple, the apex white; lip pandurate, an inch long by an inch and a half broad, three-lobed, the lateral lobes broad, rounded, white, flushed with purple and spotted with dark purple-crimson, the middle lobe dilated, deeply bilobed, spotted at the narrow basal part, but almost wholly white in the broader front part, the disk, with a prominent yellow crest, having two projections at the base, and two acute lateral arms in front, with an elevated angular keel between. Column short, with the sides of the lower edges rounded, green at the tips, the apex and margins of the stigmatic hollow purple.

Oncidium Phalænopsis, Linden and Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, 1869, 416; E. André, L’Illustration Horticole, 3 ser., t. 3.

The Oncids form a large genus of Orchids, some of which are large-growing plants with showy flowers. They form a most useful group, and many of them are of easy cultivation, especially the large-growing kinds, which we find in the older collections of Orchids, these being cultivated for their long spikes of golden blossoms, which are useful for cutting purposes, and where large vases of flowers have to be supplied the graceful effect produced by their light airy panicles and their bright colours is very charming.

The species we have now to bring under notice is of the small-growing section, and requires more care and attention than some others, being one of those kinds which are more difficult to cultivate. This section contains many beautiful plants. Our specimen was received from the well-grown collection of E. Salt, Esq., Ferniehurst, Shipley, near Leeds, who has been successful in growing this rare species, which is not often met with.

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Oncidium Phalænopsis is a compact evergreen plant, with small pseudobulbs and light green leaves about eight inches in length. The flower spike proceeds from the base of the pseudobulbs, and bears six or more blossoms. The sepals and petals are creamy white, barred and spotted with purple; the lip is large, white, spotted at the base with violet-crimson, and the crest is golden-yellow. These flowers last a long time in beauty.

The plant requires great care in cultivation, like many others of its class, but it is worth all the care bestowed upon it. We have found it grow well in small pots or pans with a little rough fibrous peat and some lumps of charcoal, so that it may send its roots over the peat and charcoal. The small-growing Orchids of this character do not like their roots covered up, and when they are making new roots it is very important that the insects should not be allowed to feed upon them, as the plants require all their roots to be sound and good to keep them in a healthy condition. They should be placed as much in the light as possible, so that their growths may be strong and full of vigour. The plants naturally grow on trees, in which position they get a great deal of moisture during the rainy season, while in the dry season they get heavy dews, and are shaded a little from the burning sun although they get all the light possible. In our artificial treatment of these plants we should give them their natural conditions as nearly as possible, for by so doing we shall not go far away from the right course. We have found the cool end of the Cattleya house to suit most of these small-growing kinds.

We trust we may soon see a good importation of this rare Oncidium, so that growers may have a chance to try their skill upon its cultivation. The plants we have received at various times have been but small and puny. If only growers could get over some strong vigorous clumps, they would have a chance of making them into good specimens—an object which is worth the effort, as the species is one of the most beautiful and distinct of the family.