THE ORCHID REVIEW. i 237 
THE LARGEST CATTLEYA. 
CaTTLEYA Warscewiczii, now flowering well in numerous collections, is 
probably the largest-flowered species known, and we do not know that the 
following dimensions, recorded in the Gardeners’ Chronicle (1885, xxiii., 
p. 758) have been exceeded. A flower was shown at the Whit-week 
exhibition at Old Trafford, in 1885, which was measured by several 
Orchid growers, every one expressing astonishment at its immense size. 
It was just worth observing the look of surprise that came over many a 
countenance as the rule was placed on every part, eclipsing everything that 
had hitherto been seen or even anticipated. The diameter of the bloom 
was 11 inches, each petal covering 5} inches, these in their widest part 
being just 3 inches across. The sepals were, perhaps, rather narrow, but 
in length were equal to the petals. The broad flattened lip extended 
well below the throat to 2} inches, while across this part of the labellum 3 
inches were measured. The colours of the blooms were of the best and 
tichest hue, and every division of the bloom was perfect. It flowered in 
the collection of the late G. Hardy, Esq., of Timperley, Cheshire. 
CYPRIPEDIUM BELLATULUM. 
I sEND you a photograph, taken by my daughter Constance, which gives a 
very good idea of the luxuriant health of seven plants of Cypripedium 
bellatulum that have been growing in my collection for upwards of three 
years. I purchased all of them as imported pieces, and have thoroughly 
established and flowered them, as the photograph will show. These plants, 
as are all the Cypripedes of this section in my collection, are growing with 
little else but limestone pieces in their pots, with the smallest quantity of 
fibrous loam to keep the stones firmly wedged at the surface ofthe pots. My 
experience of a good few years has proved that the roots of Cypripedes of 
this section delight in running along, and clinging to, limestone, which 
represents as nearly as possible the native rocks on which they are found 
growing. The more loam that is used, the worse the plants grow, and the 
more subject they are to lose their roots, and ultimately damp off. The 
greatest care has been taken in watering, in order to prevent water lodging 
in the axils of the leaves, or in the centres of the young growth. In potting 
these Cypripedes great care should be taken to keep the rhizomes below the 
tim of the pot, for those plants which are elevated never grow as well as 
those planted below the rim. I have close on 140 P 
and they are all, more or less, in a satisfactory condition. 
O. O. WRIGLEY. 
Jants in my collection, 
Bridge Hall, Bury. 
