604 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



similar treatment to that recommended for Cattleyas. L.-C. 

 Thorntonii (Fig. 387) is derived from the intercrossing of 

 C. Gaskelliana and L. Digbyana. The characteristic fringe 

 around the labellum in the last-named species is inherited to a 

 lesser degree by the offspring. These hybrids are very distinct, 

 and are among the most valuable of the Cattleya family of 

 hybrids. 



Lycaste. — This is a most useful, varied, and beautiful genus 

 of plants, suitable for cool intermediate house culture. They 



flower at different seasons 

 and last for some weeks in 

 perfection. The most popular 1 

 among the many species is 

 L. Skinneri. This varies 

 considerably in colour, and 

 may be had with deep rose- 

 purple sepals and petals and 

 rich crimson-pur- 

 ple lip, varying in 

 shades to the 

 pure white L. S. 

 alba (Fig. 388). 

 This species and 

 its varieties pos- 

 sess robust con- 

 stitutions. They 

 grow well in the 

 cool house during 

 the hottest 

 months of the 

 year, but require 

 temperature a few 

 degrees 'warmer 

 during the win- 

 ter. L. aromatica, 

 L. cruenta, L. 

 Deppei, and the 

 free-flowering L. 

 plana are all best 

 grown as advised 

 above. The section to which L. Cobbeana, L. gigantea, L. lanipes, 

 &c, belong, are best suited with the intermediate house treat- 

 ment throughout the year. 



Lycastes require a liberal supply of water and atmospheric 

 moisture during the growing season. They are semi-deciduous, 

 and therefore only need sufficient moisture during the resting 

 season to maintain the bulbs in a plump condition. Potting is 

 best done in the spring, just as the plants commence to grow, 



Fig. 385. — L^ELiA ance'ps Waddonensis. 



