orchids: how to gkow them successittlly. 97 



There is some danger of this species starting into growth again, 

 more especially if the pseudo bulbs do not bloom, and it is not 

 always possible to prevent this, but it can generally be avoided by 

 rciducing the amount of water and giving the plant an airy and 

 dry position throughout the summer — the coolest in the house, 

 near to a ventilator, if possible, or it may be placed in an early 

 Peach house, or early Vinery, after the fiiiit has ripened, and the 

 trees are at rest — and restored to their proper quarters by the end 

 of October, where they should remain dormant until March, giving 

 them very little water, and even when they start into growth in 

 the spring, water should be given very sjjaringly until the new 

 gi'owth is about two inches long, but after that more freely, 

 remembering that if too much water is applied at the early stage of 

 growth the chances of the plant flowering freely are greatly reduced. 

 The coloiu: of this species is of a beautiful rose tint varying in 

 intensity, th(» lip is veiy handsome, being much darker, with a large 

 yellowish blotch in the throat. 



Good plants can be obtained, with one or two leading growths, 

 at from a, - to 10 6 each, newly imported or established. 



Cattleya labiata vera. From South America. 

 This, also, is a beautiful and useful species and a very free 

 bloomer, opening its lovely blossoms dming October H.nd Xov- 

 ember. It is a veiy old introduction, having been brought into 

 this coimtry in IS 18, but until within the last four years it was 

 rarely seen in flower, and this is accounted for by the original 

 imj3ortations being so very small. For many years no plants 

 reached this country luitil when recently rediscovered and intro- 

 duced in very large quantities ; while, o^ving to its scarcity 

 previously, it is looked upon as a valuable addition to this grand 

 labiata section of Cattleyas. There is great variety amongst 

 them — some being small and deficient in colouring, the flowers 

 of others being as large as C. gigas and dark mauve in colour, 

 with the lip of a rich puiple tint. Strong plants of this species 

 may be purchased at from o/- to 10/6 each, with from one to three 

 leading growi:hs — plants which four years since would have cost 

 from £40 to £.30. It is best grown in pots or baskets, and 

 occupying a position where there is plenty of light. Its treatment 

 should be the same as that advised for C. Gaskelliana. Newly 

 imported or established. 



