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CATTLEYA LABIATA MENDELII, 
VAR. DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH. 
CATTLEYA Labia, Lindl, pseudobulbis fusiformi clavatis varie sulcatis monophyllis, pedunculo uni-tri-plurifloro, flore maximo expanso membra- 
naceo, sepalis ligulatis acutis, tepalis oblongis obtusiusculis varie crispis, labello maximo oblongo varie trilobo, varie crispo, columna recta clavata, androclinii 
apiculo postico ligulato, supra antheram flexo, 
CATTLEYA LABIATA, Lindl. Coll. Bot, 33. Hook. Ex. Fl, 157, etc. 
ar. MENDELII (Backh. pro specie in Will. Orch, Grow. Man,, 5th ed, 1877, p. 124!, sine auctore, auctore allato in 6th ed., p. 190 !) ; pseudobulbis 
abbreviatis latissimis monophyllis, foliis lato oblongis abbreviatis, sepalis bene latis, tepalis latissimis, labello transverso lato lobulato crispulo denticulato, 
striolis biseriatis per discum medianum supremum ac medium, area antica profunde purpurea egregia, striolis maculisque obscurius purpureis in hac area 
i is, zona flaveola aurantiacave utrinque, columna valida. Aprilina—majalis. Occidenti Novo Granadensis. \ 
+. DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH : egregia, tepalis rosco purpureis, tepalis subpallidioribus latissimis, labello imo latiori, disco antico purpureo quasi 
ceeruleo sublavato maximo, zonis flavis dilute ochraceis, disco mediano superiori rufulo, columna alba. 
Ex Nova Granada (U. St. Coll.), occidentali, numquam Venezolana. Locum natalem etiam descriptioni addidi, nam necessaria est ejus cognitio in 
demoninanda varictate haud omnino characteristica, 
ie 
1 
al \ 
Icones analytices. Columna antice et a latere. 
CATTLEYA MENDELII is one of the grandest Orchids. The large, exquisite flowers, the short, broad leaves, the 
short thick pseudobulbs, form a charming ensemble. My firs knowledge of this beauty is due to Messrs. Veitch, who 
sent me a grand (well preserved) complete specimen in 1871, with the remark, “ flowering twice a year.” I also remember 
with lively gratitude of my oldest English correspondent, Mr. Stuart Low, having sent me five, just opened, exceedingly 
grand flowers, ‘not to write upon, but to see for your enjoyment.” 
The sub-variety, nay! perhaps unique individual, “Duke of Marlborough,” dedicated to His Grace the Duke of 
Marlborough, now its possessor, is the wonderful champion to match all those beauties. It is one of those grand Orchids 
which occupy the mind of the Orchidist so fully, which fill him with such a religious admiration, that in looking at it he 
considers he sees the finest of all the fine Orchids. HI. G. Rehb. f. 
C. Mendelii is a comparatively new Orchid, since it was only a few years ago that the first living plants of it were 
received by Messrs. Backhouse, of York. Its home is in the Andes, north of Ocafia, where it grows at an elevation of 
about 3,500 feet. Immense quantities have been imported to Europe, so that now it is sparingly found in a wild state. 
It is regarded by many as the loveliest of all the varieties of C. labiata or even of all Cattleyas. There is a charm about 
the colour of its flowers that is seen in few others, and particularly in the contrast of colour in the lip, which usually is 
whitc in the upper half and deep magenta in the lower part, which is also exquisitely frilled. The sepals and petals vary 
from pure white to a blush rose tint. As in the case of most other Orchids imported by the thousand, numerous varieties 
occur, and some of these have been considered sufficiently distinct to receive names, those called superbissima, 
grandiflora, Jamesiana, and Duke of Marlborough, being among the finest. The peculiar beauty of the latter variety is 
well shown in our plate, which was drawn at the time the plant received a first-class certificate from the Royal 
Horticultural Society at South Kensington. The richness of colour and exquisite form of the flowers of this variety are 
such as to render it of high value. The flowering season of C. Mendelii begins in April and extends till June, and spans 
the interval between the flowering season of C. Trianzei and C. Mossiz, thus embracing the flower-show season, and, being 
such a showy Orchid, is a great favourite with exhibitors. 
This Cattleya is a free grower and an extremely free flowerer. It succeeds well under the treatment given to the 
majority of Cattleyas, that is, an intermediate temperature varying from 60 deg. to 65 deg. F., from November till May, 
and during the rest of the year the temperature may range higher, say from 65 deg. to 70 deg. It requires to be rather 
more shaded than most Cattleyas, although it enjoys the fullest amount of diffused light that can be given it in this 
country. A great deal depends upon its management during the resting and growing periods. It rests from about 
October till March, during which interval very little water should be given. As soon as the flower buds appear 
prominently in the sheaths water should be given more freely, otherwise the flowers will be small and deficient in colour. 
Watering should be gradually increased in quantity until, in the height of growth in May and June, the plant receives an 
abundant supply, which must be gradually lessened as the new growths mature at the end of summer. It may be grown 
either in pots or suspended baskets. We recommend basket culture, as then the plants may be hung close under the roof, 
where they receive more light and air than when in pots on stages. 
Drawn from the plant in possession of His Grace the Duke of Marlborough. 
