THE ORCHID REVIEW. [SEPTEMBER, 1914 
262 
ee THE RESTING OF CATTLEYAS. 
CORRESPONDENT asks for information as to the resting of 
Cattleyas, particularly the species and hybrids of the labiata group, 
some of which seem to vary much in their requirements. The different 
kinds have to be grown together in a moderate-sized house, and as they 
grow and flower at different periods, it is difficult to know when to give and 
when to withhold water. In such cases the plants have to be treated 
individually, and probably the period of vegetative activity affords the 
safest guide. The production of new roots from the rhizome after a period 
of quiescence and the production of new growths are signs of renewed 
activity, and of the need of a gradual increase in the supply of water, and 
this will continue until the growths are fully matured. 
The Cattleyas of the labiata group divide themselves naturally into two 
groups with respect to their period of growth and flowering. There is one 
set of species that flower from the young erowths without any period of 
resting, and this includes C. Warneri, from Brazil, C. Gaskelliana and C. 
Lueddemanniana, from Venezuela, C. Dowiana, from Costa Rica, C. 
Dowiana aurea and C. Warscewiczii (gigas), from Colombia, and, of course, 
C. Hardyana, the natural hybrid between the two latter. These should be 
kept moist after the flowering period is over and until the growths are fully 
matured, after which the supply of water should be gradually reduced, and 
when the plants are at rest a very moderate supply of water will suffice. 
As soon as the young growths reach a good size, if strong enough, a shea 
will begin to push, and it is highly important that the plants should not 
receive a check at this stage, otherwise the flowers may fail to develop or be 
of inferior quality. 
The second group consists of species that take an interval of ce 
maturini¢ their growths before flowering, and these naturally require me 
what different treatment. They include C. Mossiz and C. Percivaliana, 
from Venezuela; C. Mendelii, C. Trianez, and C. Schroeder, from 
Colombia, and C. Lawrenceana, from British Guiana. AS these ms 
their growths, the supply of water should be gradually r 
plants are at rest, when the compost should be kept moderately 4} 
about four weeks before the flowering period, when more water : ‘a 
given to enable the flower buds to mature properly, and this $ agaid 
continue until the flowers are fully developed, after which they must 
t after 
be kept moderately dry until growth recommences. 
Pp a y & ate bet 
The old autumn-flowering C. labiata is somewhat intermed fe 
the two groups, as it flowers after a very short period of ee 
slight reduction in the water supply is necessary until flowering 1S 9 
