THE ORCHID GENERA 



require a little water occasionally to preserve their 

 plumpness. Catasetums after producing their first 

 flower spikes of the season will, if strong, frequently 

 send out others a few weeks later, but these it is 

 advisable to pinch off to prevent the new pseudo bulbs 

 from being weakened and hindered in the finishing. 



Cattleya 



The different species of the genus Cattleya are always 

 highly appreciated, not only by Orchid enthusiasts, but 

 also by everyone who admires flowers possessing bright 

 colours and fine forms. Especially is this applicable to 

 those Cattleyas which belong to what is generally known 

 as the C. labiata section. These have a horticultural 

 importance that is rarely equalled, and certainly not 

 surpassed, by any other section of the great Orchid 

 family. The labiata group includes a number of beautiful 

 and distinct forms, which are not only of large size, but 

 have a variety of the most delicate and pleasing tints. 

 Especially striking is the labellum or lip, which in nearly 

 all the varieties is remarkable for the richness of colour, 

 and for the beauty of the pencilings and markings of the 

 throat. Another great interest attached to the different 

 types of Cattleya labiata is that some of them are to be 

 had in bloom each month of the year, and for cut flowers 

 they are admirable. C. Percivalliana is the first to open 

 its richly-coloured flowers in January. C. Triana is a 

 most variable species, scarcely any two being exactly 

 alike, some varieties being equal in size and beauty to 

 any of the labiata section. Among imported plants, 

 however, there is generally a large percentage of inferior 

 varieties, and consequently the best kinds are especially 

 valuable. Its flowers are produced from February to 

 April. C. Schroder*? opens its flowers in April, and lasts 

 a considerable time, C. Mendeli and C. Warnerii in May, 



