CATTLEYA ELDORADO CROCATA Rehb. f. 
Prof. Reichenbach, when describing this Cattleya, observes : “This curious plant appears to be very near the Eldorado group, though the fine white 
flowers are larger and the lip is most distinctly four-lobed. A deep orange line runs from the base of the lip to its anterior disc, where it expands into a 
pentagonal blotch, with teeth in front, It is, indeed, like C. Eldorado Wallisii, but this has sulphur-yellow arranged in another manner, The column—white, 
with some green at the base—is nearly that of C. Eldorado. First I knew it from poor Gustav Wallis, who said it was exceedingly rare: then Mr. F. Sander 
sent a dried flower for inspection only ; he, alas! wanted it back. I suspect Mr, F, Sander knows where it has its nest, In September, 1882, it was sent me 
by, and named for, Mr. Edwin G. Wrigley, Howick House, Preston, Lancashire.” 
CATTLEYA (LABIATA) CROCATA, Rchb. f, in Gard. Chron., Oct. 25, 1884, p. 520; id., Sept. 18, 1886, Pp. 360. 
Icones analytica. Columna antice, a latere, postice et sine anthera, 
SoME years ago the lovely Cattleya Eldorado was a scarce plant in cultivation, but owing to importations received at 
various times in recent years, it has become more plentiful than formerly. In comparison with such elegant plants as 
C. Trianez, C. Mendelii, C. Gaskelliana, C. Warscewiczii, and others of the labiata section, the flowers are not so large, 
but they, nevertheless, possess a beauty and grace which give them a peculiar charm of their own; in addition, they are 
remarkable for the pleasant fragrance which they emit. They are, as a rule, well formed and compact, and these are 
points upon which orchid critics are generally hard to please. The sepals and petals are of a delicate pink, anda fine 
contrast to them is afforded by the yellow throat and the deep, magenta blotch on the anterior portion of the white 
labellum. 
Such are the chief characteristics of C. Eldorado. The variety crocata, which we now figure, is very distinct from 
it by its larger flowers, the absolute purity of which is only interrupted by the orange yellow stain on the lip. The 
typical C. Eldorado is indigenous to the valley of the Rio Negro in Northern Brazil, and was first introduced from this 
region through the famous traveller, Gustav Wallis, in the year 1866. The variety crocata, also one of Wallis’s 
discoveries, was first introduced by us in 1881, and soon after flowered in the collection of the late Mr. R. P. Percival, of 
Clevelands, Southport; and also with Mr. E. G. Wrigley, of Howick House, Preston. It differs from the white variety 
Wallisii in having much larger flowers and a deeper orange stain on the labellum. In its wild state C. Eldorado is 
subject to great heat and moisture at one season of the year, and to drought at another. In July and August the 
vegetation is almost parched by the fierce rays of the sun, and were it not for the abundance of moisture obtained from 
the numerous large rivers by evaporation, and the heavy dews which fall at night, we might expect to find a desert of 
burning sand instead of the fertile region which exists. It would be futile trying to imitate in our orchid houses the 
natural conditions to which C. Eldorado is subject, and, indeed, experience teaches us that it is not only impossible, but 
unnecessary to do so. We find C. Eldorado thrive in a house the maximum temperature of which varies from 70 deg. to 
80 deg. F., and a minimum temperature of 60 deg. to 65 deg. The atmosphere is always kept very moist by means of 
damping the floors and stages of the house, and as much air is given as the season of the year will safely permit. The 
plants should be placed in well-drained pots in a compost of rough peat and moss, with a little charcoal or crocks mixed 
So as to keep it open. In this condition almost any amount of water may be given during the growing season without 
fear of the soil becoming sour or sodden with stagnant water. After the bulbs are fully developed and begin to ripen, 
less water and more air is necessary. In winter the plants generally rest, requiring only an occasional watering to keep 
them plump. : 
From a plant in the possession of Reginald Young, Esq., Linnet Lane, Liverpool. 
