solitary 6-inch leaf, leathery in substance and oblong in shape. Flowers are 
large (up to 7 inches across) and are produced either singly or in pairs. Sepals 
lanceolate, the petals being two and a half times as broad. Both are a soft rose- 
pink in colour. The lip is large and graceful, rose-lilac in colour, symmetrically 
lined and spotted with purple. Blooms late Spring or early Summer, the flowers 
coming from the young growths. The cultural procedure prescribed for the first 
group will suit, care being taken to give copious water in the Summer and keep 
almost dry in the Winter. Ample light is necessary at all times. 
LAELIA SUPERBIENS. Native of Guatemala. 
A strong-growing species of the first group, with tall, stout pseudobulbs carrying 
a pair of thick, leathery, light green leaves a foot or more in length. Flower 
spikes average about 5 feet long, but have been reported as tall as 12 feet, and 
carry from 10 to 20 large flowers from 6 to 7 inches across. Sepals and petals 
rich rose with a flush of lilac. Lip deep crimson-purple striped with yellow. 
Flowers in the Winter, and lasts as long as eight weeks under suitable conditions. 
LAELIA TENEBROSA. Native of Brazil. 
A species of the second group closely allied to L. grandis, of which it is often 
classified as a variety. Same mode of growth as grandis. Sepals and petals coppery- 
bronze. Lip purple, lighter at margins, darker at throat, and with a dark blotch 
on each side of the disk. Flowers in Spring. 
LAELIA XANTHINA. Native of Brazil. 
A pleasing species of the second group, with club-shaped pseudobulbs up to a 
foot tall. Leaves solitary, oblong and bluntish. Flower spikes carry up to six 
blooms, each 34 inches wide. The oblong sepals and petals are undulated with 
the sides curled back. They are yellow with an olive-green flush. The lip is 
yellow with a deep border of white, the disk being veined with purple. Flowers 
in Summer and lasts three weeks. 
LAELIO-CA TT LEY" 
The beauty of the Laelias and their affinity with the Cattleyas caused them to be 
one of the earliest subjects for experiments in hybridisation. The fact that a 
number of natural hybrids between the two genera were known encouraged the 
early experimenters to try their hands at the cross-fertilising of many Cattleyas 
with Laelias. This has resulted in the creation of many brilliant orchids whose 
form and colour surpasses both their parent species. Each year finds a further 
variety available for the orchid grower, and some of the latest hybrids have 
five or six generations of careful hybridisation on each side of their parentage. 
198 
