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CATTLEYA LABIATA WARNERIL 
CATTLEYA LABIATA, Lindl.: Pseudobulbis fusiformi clavatis varie sulcatis monophyllis, spatha spathisve varie evolutis, pedunculo uni—trifloro, flore 
maximo expanso membranaceo, sepalis ligulatis acutis, petalis 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 Fl. iii, 157, etc. 
VAR. WARNERT: floribus valde majoribus atropurpureis. 
CATTLEYA WARNERI, Moore, in Warner’s Select Orch. Pl. i, t. 8; Floral Mag, 1871, t. 516, 
CatrLeya Warneri has been known to cultivation for about thirty years, and has earned the reputation of being one of 
the finest Cattleyas of the labiata section. The delight of Mr. Robert Warner may be well imagined when he watched 
his plant expand its large, massive flowers for the first time in his collection at Broomfield in the year 1860. In those 
days it was considered a marvellous addition to the orchids known, and when exhibited at a meeting of the Royal 
Botanic Society in Regent’s Park, it obtained a silver medal as a mark of the esteem and admiration with which its 
appearance was hailed. 
The flowering season of C. Warneri begins in June, soon after that of C. Mendelii is over, and lasts until the 
flowers of C. Gaskelliana and C. speciosissima appear. It, therefore, most appropriately fills up the interval between 
these other forms. It is held in much esteem for exhibition purposes, and is well suited for being used in this way, as 
its heads of great flowers, which individually measure from six to eight inches across, present a most attractive sight. 
Five such flowers are often borne on a stem, which springs from the growth of the current year. The sepals and petals 
are of a delicate mauve, and the latter are remarkable for their great size and characteristic and striking appearance, 
so well represented by our artist. The lip is large and elegantly frilled on the margin. On the anterior portion is a deep 
magenta-purple stain, which presents a most agreeable contrast to the orange-yellow throat, the surface of which is 
adorned with radiating lines of rose. : 
Several named varieties exist, such as leucophceus, splendens, and magnifica. In nearly all orchids in which the 
various shades of red predominate, pure white varieties have been found, but hitherto no albino has turned up among the 
thousands of plants of Cattleya Warneri imported from the Brazils. But as Alexander sighed for more worlds to 
conquer, so collectors are ever on the ga vive for the much-looked-for white form, which may yet appear. 
Cattleya labiata Warneri is strikingly similar to the true old Cattleya labiata in habit, and also in the form and 
colour of its flowers—indeed, it requires an expert to distinguish the two; but the season of flowering is a sure guide, 
the old labiata flowering in late autumn and Warneri in early summer. 
This Cattleya is especially suited for being grown in baskets, although it may with equal success thrive in pots. 
Towards the end of winter the plants begin to grow, and at this time the temperature should vary from 60 deg. to 
65 deg. F. at night to 70 deg. to 75 deg. during the day. The supply of water must be increased as the growths acquire 
more vigour, and a moist atmosphere should always be maintained. About six weeks or two months after the flowering 
season is over, active growth ceases for three months, and the plants should then be moved into a cooler and more airy 
portion of the house, so as to afford every facility for ripening the new bulbs, Although taking their rest at this period, 
the plants must not be allowed to get too much on the dry side, otherwise they will run the risk of losing their 
plumpness—an undesirable calamity from which it would be afterwards difficult to rescue them. 
Our plate is from a plant in the collection of T, R. Watt, Esq., The Briars, Chislehurst, 
