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CATTLEYA LABIATA GASKELLIANA Fort. Sander. 
CATTLEYA LaBIATA, Lindl.: pseudobulbis fusiformi clavatis varie sulcatis monophyllis, spatha spathisve varie evolutis, pedunculo uni—trifloro, flore 
maximo expanso membranaceo, sepalis ligulatis acutis, tepalis oblongis obtusiusculis varie crispis, labello maximo oblongo varie trilobo, varie crispo, columna 
recta clavata, androclinii apiculo mediano postico ligulato retuso supra antheram flexo, 
CATTLEYA LABIATA, Lindl. Coll. Bot., 33 !; Hook. Exotic Fi. iii, 157!; ete. 
Planta inter Orchideas forsan maxime polymorphas pleiochroma, cujus varietates plures sine dubio iconibus nostris illustrabuntur, 
CATTLEYA LABIATA GASKELLIANA, Hort, Sander, Gard. Chron., March 10, 1883, p. 310; Illust, Hort., 1886, t. 615 ; Gartenflora, t. 1274 ; Warner & 
Williams’ Orch. Album VIIL, t. 353 ; Veitch, Man, Cattleya, p. 18, 
Aff. CATTLEYA LABIATA VAR. Mossi@: Pseudobulbis clavatis compressis monophyllis ; foliis oblongis obtusis coriaceis ; pedunculis 3—5 floribus ; 
sepalis ligulatis acutis, petalis valde latioris, ellipticis oblongis undulatis ; labellum vix trilobum, lobis valde crispis, lineis asperulis interruptis violaceis 
paucis radiantibus in medio disco antico areis pallide flaveolis utrinque superposita, 
Ex Venezuela, ubi detexit noster peregrinator, Seidl. 
Icones analytic. Columna a latere et antice visa. Anthera antice et postice visa. Pollinaria superne. Pollinarium a latere. Omnia valde aucta, 
Tuts addition to the other varieties of Cattleya labiata was introduced by us in 1883 from Venezuela, where it was found 
by our collector, Seidl. It bears its name in compliment to Holbrook Gaskell, Esq., Woolton, near Liverpool, a 
gentleman who, by great diligence, has acquired one of the finest collections of Orchids in the north of England. 
Although C. Gaskelliana has only been in cultivation such a comparatively short time, it has nevertheless already 
become one of the greatest favourites with amateurs and horticulturists on account of its graceful and robust habit, and 
the great freedom with which it produces its masses of large flowers. These are produced from the current year’s growth 
during the months of June, July, and August, thus appropriately filling up the interval which occurs between the early- 
flowering Trianze, Warnerii, Warscewiczii, Mossix, &c., and the autumn-flowering forms of labiata. It is a magnificent 
sight to see hundreds of plants of this Cattleya in flower. The sepals and petals are usually of a warm, purplish-rose 
colour; the large, well-formed lip has a beautifully frilled, pale margin, and a deep crimson-purple band extending across 
the anterior portion, while on each side of the striated golden-yellow throat there is sometimes a conspicuous white blotch, 
Like other forms of labiata, however, the flowers of C. Gaskelliana are also subject to great variation in colour, having 
tints ranging from pure white to deep purplish rose. Of these numerous varieties the finest and most distinct we have as 
yet seen are those which flowered in the nursery, and known as Delliensis and Blenheimensis—forms which have not 
been surpassed. The white-flowered variety, alba, is very rare, and possesses unique beauty. As a marketable plant 
it would be difficult to surpass Gaskell’s Cattleya when in Season; its flowers are eagerly purchased for decorative 
purposes on account of their great beauty and the exquisite fragrance which they emit. 
This Cattleya may be successfully grown in either pots or baskets, but if the cultivator desires to produce a grand 
effect, we should recommend basket culture as the most suitable for this purpose. While the plants are making new 
growths during the spring months they may receive an abundance of water, which, however, must be given only sparingly 
when the plants are in bloom. During the winter the plants should be allowed to rest, little or no water, according to 
circumstances, being given until they begin to grow again. 
Our drawing was made from a plant in the collection of De B, Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks, 
