Home › B › Barkeria (Name commemorative of the late)

Barkeria (Name commemorative of the late)

(name commemorative of the late G. Barker, of Birmingham, an ardent cultivator of orchids). ORD. Orchideae. From a scientific point of view, this genus should be included in Epidendrum. Very handsome, deciduous, epiphytal, cool-house Orchids, having slender pseudo-bulbs, from 6in. to 12in. high, from the top of which the numerous flower-stems are produced. In a cool, airy temperature, these plants grow vigorously, suspended in pans or small baskets close beneath the glass, and slightly shaded with tiffany. They succeed well also on flat blocks of wood, on the top of which they should be tied, without any moss, as their freely-produced, thick, fleshy roots soon cling to the blocks. During the season of growth, a good supply of water is needed, and in hot weather it may be applied three or four times daily; the blocks and plants are best immersed in water; but when at rest, a slight watering twice or three times a week will suffice. Propagated by divisions, just previous to the commencement of new growth.

B. elegans (elegant).* fl. in loose racemes, four or five in each; each blossom about 2in. across; sepals and petals dark rose; lip reddish crimson, spotted and edged with a lighter colour. Winter. h. 2ft. Mexico, 1836. Of this beautiful slender-growing species, there are two or three varieties in cultivation. (B. M. 4784.) B. Lindleyana (Lindley's).* fl., raceme 2ft. long, very slender, bearing from five to seven blossoms near its apex; sepals and petals rosy purple; lip white, with a deep purple blotch at its apex. September, remaining in beauty for a considerable time. h. 2ft. Costa Rica, 1842. (B. M. 6098.) B. L. Centerae (Center's).* fl. rosy lilac; lip oblong; margins crenulated or crisped; apex blotched deep purple. Costa Rica, 1873. B. melanocaulon (dark-stemmed).* fl. on an erect spike; sepals and petals rosy lilac; lip broader at the base than at the top, reddish-purple, having a blotch of green in the centre. August. h. 1ft. Costa Rica, 1848. Very rare. B. Skinneri (Skinner's).* fl. deep rose-coloured; spikes 6in. to 9in. long, from the apices of the ripened growth, often branched, forming a dense mass of deep purple blossoms, which, if kept dry, lasts from eight to ten weeks. h. 1 1/2ft. Guatemala. (P. M. B. 15, 1.) B. S. superbum (superb).* fl. dark rose; lip somewhat deeper tinted, and marked towards the base with yellow streaks. Guatemala. This far surpasses the type in size and number of flowers, as well as in brilliancy of colour. (W. S. O. 38.) B. spectabilis (showy).* fl. quite 2in. across, produced eight or ten together, on a spike issuing from the top of the pseudo-bulb; sepals and petals oblong, acuminate, rosy lilac; lip white, margined with deep lilac or rosy purple, and dotted or spotted with crimson. This very distinct and desirable species lasts from eight to ten weeks in beauty, and forms a very handsome object when placed in the drawing-room and covered over with a large glass shade. Guatemala, 1843. (B. M. 4094.) BARK STOVE. A hothouse adapted for moisture-loving exotics, and having a pit from 2ft. to 4ft. deep, containing fermenting matter, chiefly tanners' bark, by which means a steady heat is maintained for a considerable time. The Bark Stove is now almost obsolete. Bark is, however, still largely used in Pine pits, and in some propagating beds; but such beds are generally superseded by hot-water or hot-air tanks.