108 orchid-grower's manual. 



1850. This single plant, on which there were more than 100 

 spikes of flowers, was exhibited by R. S. Holford, Esq., 

 Tetbmy, Gloucestershire. 



Cattleya. 

 The species of this popular genus rank among our finest 

 Orchids ; they are generally favourites, and there can be little 

 doubt that, as the mode of treatment which they require and 

 the ease with which they may be brought to a high state of 

 perfection becomes better understood, they will be extensively 

 cultivated. In many of them the pseudobulbs are singular and 

 pleasing in form ; and the dark evergreen foliage of the plants 

 when in a healthy condition, together with their compact 

 habit of growth, renders them peculiarly attractive. Some of 

 the sorts have only a single leaf at the top of each pseudobulb ; 

 others, as C. Skinneri and C. intermedia^ have two, and C. 

 granulosa and C. Leojjoldii have three. The flowers are 

 large, elegant in form, and scarcely surpassed in their brilliant 

 richness and depth of colour, the most frequent tints of which are 

 violet, rose crimson, white, and purple, with their intermediate 

 shades. The flower scape, which is enclosed in a sheath, 

 rises from the top of the bulb, and a single spike sometimes 

 contains as many as nine perfect flowers, and I have seen as 

 many as thirty. As soon as the flowering is over, the Cattleym 

 generally begin to make their growth for the next season ; but 

 some of them, such as C. Walkeriana^ C, violacea, C. superba, 

 and several others, flower while making their gi'owth. With 

 the exception of C. Walkeriana, C. marginata, and C citrina, 

 which grow best on blocks with a small quantity of moss, 

 I have found Cattleyas thrive best in pots. If the 

 accommodation is limited, all the kinds may be gi'own on 

 blocks, but they will require more attention, and seldom thrive 

 so well as in pots. They require a good depth of drainage ; 



