76 THE OKCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL. 



April, and May : the blossoms are rose-purple, and remain 

 three weeks in perfection, if the flowers are kept dry. This 

 fine species of Cattleya, when grown strong, will produce as 

 many as nine or ten flowers on a spike. It is one of the 

 finest Orchids that can be grown for any of the exhibitions 

 in May, the colour being distinct and different from any of 

 the other Cattleyas. 



C. superba. This truly beautiful plant comes from Guyana. 

 It is a slow-growing species, and usually ten inches high. It 

 flowers in June and July. The blossoms, which are of a deep 

 rose colour, with a rich crimson lip, will remain in bloom 

 three weeks : it produces three or four flowers on a spike, 

 and is a very rare and distinct species. 



C. violacea. A handsome, free-flowering species from Brazil, 

 which grows about twenty inches high. It produces flowers 

 In abundance, from July to September : the flowers last in 

 perfection three weeks : the blossoms are of a beautiful, "deep 

 violet-rose colour, and frequently present four or five flowers 

 on a spike. This plant makes two growths in one year, and 

 blooms from both. It is a fine exhibition plant for the late 

 shows in July. 



C. Wagnerii. A splendid free-flowering Cattleya in the 

 way of C. Mossier,, and with flowers equal in size ; sepals and 

 petals white ; lip also white, with rich yellow in the centre. 

 A fine plant for exhibition, producing blossoms in June and 

 July, and lasting about three weeks in perfection. 



(7. Walkeriana. A truly elegant dwarf species from Brazil, 

 about four inches high, with large, light, rose-coloured flowers ; 

 the lip, which is a richer rose than the other part, having a 

 slight tinge of yellow : generally two flowers on a spike, five 

 inches across. It blooms twice a-year, February and June, 

 on the young growth : the blossoms last four or five weeks in 

 beauty, which is longer than that of any other Gattleya : it is 

 also sweet-scented, and will fill the house with perfume. I 

 always grow this plant on a block of wood, surrounded by a 



