AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. 87 



Cattleya. 



stunted growth, although flowering freely." This stunted 

 growth also occurs when plants are found growing at a 

 high altitude. 



Of late years the reintroduction of the old autumn 

 flowering C. labiata in such quantities that they are 

 placed well within the reach of all, has had con- 

 siderable effect on the culture of the Cattleya family. 

 The whole of the species now are general favourites, 

 and are extensively cultivated, providing a succession of 

 flowers through the greater part of the year. 



Culture. — Pot or basket culture for the bulk of the kinds 

 will be best, as they will not only in this manner produce 

 the finest blossoms, but will require less constant attention at 

 the hands of the cultivator. For potting material, use good 

 fibrous peat from which all the fine soil has been well 

 beaten ; add to this some chopped living sphagnum and 

 some clean and sharp silver-sand. Fill the pots at least 

 two-thirds with drainage, and in potting let the rhizome 

 sit upon the top of the soil, which should be mounded 

 somewhat above the rim of the pot, towards the base of 

 the plant in the centre. A few stakes should be affixed 

 to which the pseudo-bulbs can be secured. Very much 

 depends upon the amount of water given at different 

 seasons. Cattleyas like an abundant supply of moisture 

 during the growing season, and a nice, genial, moist at- 

 mosphere. The water should be given from a watering-can. 

 In the case of those kinds which are suspended from the 

 roof in baskets or upon blocks of wood, there is less to 

 fear from the syringe, so long as the water is not allowed 

 to stand in the large, sheathing scales that envelop the 

 young growths and flower-scapes. This, however, may 

 easily occur with careless or indiscriminate .syringing, and 

 often proves fatal to young pseudo-bulbs. The syringe 

 should not be depended upon entirely for supplying 

 moisture to plants grown upon blocks, but during summer 

 they should be examined once a day, and, if at all dry, 

 should be immersed in a tub or a pan of water, which 

 should at least be of the same temperature as the house 

 they are growing in. After the pseudo-bulbs are formed, 

 water must be withheld, and the plants allowed a season 

 of rest ; but care should be taken to prevent their 

 becoming very dry during this period, as much injury 



