ONCIDIUM LANCEANUM LOUVREXIANUM. [Plate 129.] Native of Dutch Guiana.

ONCIDIUM LANCEANUM LOUVREXIANUM. [Plate 129.] Native of Dutch Guiana.

Epiphytal. Stems forming a very short woody annulated rootstock (ebulbous), from which are protruded the thick greenish roots. Leaves elliptic-oblong acute, leathery, slightly keeled, somewhat recurved at the point, a foot to a foot and a half in length, dull deep green speckled with purple, the speckling most strongly marked on the under surface and on the younger parts. Panicles rigid, short-branched, on green peduncles, which spring from the base of the leaf, and are blotched with purple, and invested with scarious ovate-acuminate bracts, the lower ones being larger and much lengthened out. Flowers showy, fragrant like vanilla; sepals oblong-obovate, narrowed below, concave, keeled, wavy at the edge, yellowish green externally, internally brighter yellow-green and spotted irregularly with reddish brown, a broad blotch of brown occupying the base; petals similar to the sepals in size, form, and colour; lip one and a half inch long, three-lobed, lateral or basal lobes magenta-purple, darkest at the centre, triangular-oblong, with three crests diminishing upwards on the disk between them; the middle or anterior lobe clawed, transversely-oblong, emarginate, the anterior half of the claw and the broad anterior lobe itself whiter. Column short, white, with a pair of magenta-coloured oblique oblong side wings, and a red anther cap.

Oncidium Lanceanum Louvrexianum, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xvii., 218.

We now present to our subscribers the figure of a most beautiful Orchid which belongs to an extensive genus, the species of which vary much in their growth, bulbs, foliage, and flowers, the latter including almost every gradation of size and many shades of colour. The Oncidiums are among the most useful of plants for decorative purposes, as every one must know who grows Orchids. Oncidium Lanceanum is quite distinct as a species from any others with which we are acquainted and is remarkable for having a rich rosy violet lip; the typical form we hope to be able to figure at some future time. The variety Louvrexianum, as will be seen from the annexed illustration, differs from the type in having the lip white. Our plate was prepared from an excellent drawing of a plant which flowered in the fine collection of orchids belonging to Mons. D. Massange de Louvrex, of Marche, in Belgium—one of the best collections in that country, and one also in which the plants are well cultivated, and many unique specimens are to be seen.

Oncidium Lanceanum Louvrexianum is an evergreen plant like the type. It grows to a foot or more in height, and has light green foliage which is spotted 66 all over with a darker green and purple. The flowers are produced on an upright scape a foot or more in length, which springs directly from the rhizome at the base of the leaf. The sepals and petals are greenish yellow blotched with brownish crimson, and the lip being white forms a pleasing contrast with the brown-crimson of the sepals and petals. It blooms during the summer months, and lasts several weeks in beauty.

We bloomed this variety many years ago, but it is still a rare plant; indeed we now very seldom see Oncidium Lanceanum itself well grown, for it is found difficult to cultivate by our present Orchid growers. Many years ago one frequently met with fine specimens of it exhibited at our London shows, and others were to be met with in collections in different parts of the country. We still hope to see it again taken in hand by Orchid cultivators, for it is beautiful both in foliage and in flower and altogether makes a distinct and handsome specimen. The manner in which these plants fail—and it is one which is very annoying—is that the leaves go spotted, a condition which is not only detrimental to their well-being, but renders them unsightly, and thus cultivators get tired of their plants and discard them, while others, who keep the foliage good from year to year, are proud of their success. We believe the spotting to be caused by giving the plants too much heat and not sufficient air, when, if the foliage is also kept too moist, it will spot; the leaves, it will be noted, are of a thick fleshy texture, and when once they get spotted it is very difficult to restore them to health. If a suitable place can be found for it, and one in which it succeeds well, by all means let it be kept there. We have found these plants do well grown in baskets, with good drainage, so that the roots can be benefited by being suspended in the atmosphere of the house—in fact they do not like their roots to be too much covered over, but they should have a little live sphagnum moss or very good fibrous peat. This compost should never be allowed to get into a wet or soddened condition; but if this should occur clear all the old material away, and employ fresh, putting some good lumps of charcoal, more of this than of moss or peat.

The plants may also be successfully grown on blocks of wood and suspended from the roof. We have found them succeed in an intermediate temperature ranging about 60° by night in winter, and a trifle more—about 65°—by day; in summer the heat may range to little higher, but not very much. With the heat give all the light possible, avoiding exposure to sunshine, as this will scorch the fleshy leaves, to prevent which we find it quite advisable to shade during the sunny part of the day.

See further observations relating to Oncidium Lanceanum under Plate 130.

PL. 130. THUNIA MARSHALLIANA.

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