AUGUST, 1923.) THE ORCHID REVIEW. 227 
HYBRIDS OF LAELIA CINNABARINA. 
T is a noteworthy fact that hybridists have frequently been compelled to 
make use of some of the small-flowering species in order to obtain 
brightness and intensity of colour. In comparatively recent times we have 
seen how Cochlioda Noezliana has given the fine series of Odontiodas, and 
how Sophronitis grandiflora has been the means of adding many beautiful 
hybrids of reddish tints to the warmer-growing section. Similarly, Lelia 
cinnabarina has given rise to a varied selection of Leliocattleyas that are 
much represented in present-day collections. 
About the year 1900 new hybrids of L. cinnabarina were being recorded 
with considerable frequency, in fact, between twenty and thirty appeared 
within a few years. They included such popular plants as L. Coronet (L. 
cinnabarina X L. harpophylla), L. cinnabrosa (L.c. X L. tenebrosa), Leelio- 
cattleya G. S. Ball (L.c. X C. Schroedere), Le. warnhamensis (L.c. & C. 
Triane), Lc. Cappei (L.c. X C. Warscewiczii), Lc. Coronis (L.c. X C. 
labiata), and Lc. Charlesworthii (L.c. X C. aurea). 
The appearance of a startling novelty has always induced other hybridists 
to repeat the cross, or, at least, to follow up its method of production as 
closely as existing circumstances have allowed. Consequently we are 
induced to believe that this fine series of Lelia cinnabarina hybrids, all 
flowering for the first time one after the. other, owes its origin to some 
particular successful result. If a period of from seven to ten years is allowed 
for the raising from seed of these plants, we are taken back to the year 1890 
in which to look for the model or hybrid that induced so many others of 
its kind to be thenceforth created. We find this prototype in Lc. Hippolyta 
(L. cinnabarina X C. Mossiz), exhibited by Messrs. Veitch at the Royal 
Horticultural Society, March 25th, 1890, when a First-class Certificate was 
awarded, the Hower combining in a happy manner the characters of the two 
parental species. 7 
The primary hybrids : 
improved results, the ambition being to produce a large flower having the 
colour of this Lelia species. But the anticipations of those days have 
never been realised. Further experience has taught us that it isa matter 
of great difficulty to separate the characters of any particular species e the 
way one would like. The rich colour of L. cinnabarina is almost invariably 
associated with the comparatively small size of its flowers. 
As examples of the many recorded results in the second generation, we 
may mention Leliocattleya Ganymede, produced by crossing Ge Schroederz 
with L. Latona (cinnabarina X purpurata), and pi which an excellent 
was included in the Gold Medal Group of Pantia Ralli, Esq., at the recent 
Chelsea Show. Further instances can be given in Lc. Elinor, produced by 
of L. cinnabarina were soon worked upon for 
