Miltonia cuneata, _Lindley_, _Botanical Register_, 1844, misc. 28; 1845, t. 8; _Id._, _Folia Orchidacea_, art. _Miltonia_, No. 8; _Reichenbach fil._, _Xenia Orchidacea_, i. 131; _Moore_, _Illustrations of Orchidaceous Plants_, art. _Miltonia_, 7 t. 2; _Lemaire_, _L’Illustration Horticole_, t. 237; _Williams_, _Orchid Grower’s Manual_, 5 ed., 223.
Miltonia speciosa, _Klotzsch_, in _Otto and Dietrich’s Allgemeine Gartenzeitung_, xvii. 129.
Oncidium speciosum, _Reichenbach fil._, _MSS._; _Id._, _Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ_, vi. 761.
This genus of Orchids is not a very extensive one, but among the species which are known there are some beautiful plants of distinct and striking character. The species which we now represent is a very pretty one, which we are pleased to have the opportunity of introducing to the notice of our readers. The specimen figured was grown in the fine collection of W. Cobb, Esq., of Sydenham, who is a great lover of Orchids, and makes it a study to procure the best kinds and cultivate them in the best possible manner.
_Miltonia cuneata_ was introduced by the Messrs. Rollisson, of Tooting, about the year 1843, and first flowered with them in the spring of 1844. It is a free-growing plant, with light green foliage, which grows about a foot in height, and produces its flowers in erect racemes, seven or often more together. The sepals and petals are chestnut-brown, tipped with greenish yellow, and the lip is broad and of a creamy white colour. The flowers are produced in February and March, and last for several weeks in beauty.
This _Miltonia_ requires the heat of the Cattleya house, and thrives in good fibrous peat; it must be well drained in order that the superfluous moisture may pass off, as the plant dislikes stagnant water about the roots. In the growing season a moderate supply of water may be given at the roots, but less will suffice when the growth is completed. We find the Miltonias to require more shade than most Orchids. Their leaves are thin in texture, and consequently are soon injured, which makes it necessary to pay strict attention to the requirements of the plants, as while too much sun would dry up the foliage, too much moisture about it would cause it to go spotted.