Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1884 — Orchids. [ARTICLE]

Orchids.

Some weeks ago mention was made in the Santa Barbara Independent, of a strange arrival from .lajian, in the shape of -a beautiful flower of the orchid, one of those plants called by the Spaniards of South America “Beautiful things without foundation. ” This individual was received by Dr. Lorenzo G. Yates, and was added to his collection, now embracing between twenty and thirty specimens from different parts of tiie world, among them being natives of India, Mexico, Brazil, Central Ameriqa, and Florida. They form, probably, one of the most interesting botanical collections on the coast, and were they to be bought in the floral markets of the East or Europe, where the tulip craze is being repeated, with the substitution of the orchid as the favorite, the coßt would be appalling. As it is, the Doctor has gathered them from scientific correspondents that he has acquired through his exchanges of shells and geological specimens. The peculiarity of the orchid is its grotesque and beautiful flower, and its manner of growth. Only a single plant of the race can be denominated useful, and, to use the words of an authority on the orchid, the application applies only by courtesy, since the vanilla is valued for its delicate aroma and rich flavor, both merely luxurious additions to enjoyment rather than the supply of a real need. The beauties of the orchid are without number. In color they are said to present—and being the only flower so doing—red, blue, and yellow among the different kinds, thus excelling the queen of flowers, the rose, which, alone of all hues, is denied the privilege of reflecting the blue of the skies above it. But with the orchid all colors are shown. Pure white is found in some, like the beautiful Espiritu Santo or Holy Spirit plant of Mexico, which is likened to a dove poised on outspread wings. “Tyrian days and seeming to flash with gold and jewels,” is the striking appearance of others, as described by one admirer of the plant. Many of these plants simulate animal forms, some with striking effect. One of the most singular is the Cynoches ventricosum, which is in the shape of a swan. A plant in Dr. Yates’ possession blossomed a few months ago. Its blossoms looked like a "row of little birds just lighted on a Ijmb. It produced from seventy-five to one hundred flowers at the time of blossoming. The oddities of orchids are beyond expression. They have strong individual preferences regarding manner of growth, and a human dislike of removal. An orchid which is flowering freely will, if moved ever so gently, at once oease to produce its bloom. As a rule they are of slow growth and long life. Sometimes new flower-stems are produced annually, but the plant itself may live a hundred years. Many amusing stories are told of orchid life and habits. Some varieties will only grow upside down; some must be cultivated suspended in the air; but all thrive best in a house by themselves, being a natural vegetable aristocracy, who decline to identify themselves with common growth of woods and gardens. If a portion of the conservatory be partitioned off for these exclusive guests, they will perhaps admit to their high-born company a lew choice exotic ferns. As more is learned of these fanciful plants, the list is becoming longer of orchids adapted for parlor culture, and we foresee the time when the most elegant rooms will not fail to show among their most valued ornaments a few of the grotesque or lovely shapes of the great fatnily of orchids.— Floral World.