THE ORCHID GENERA 



5i 



C. Mantinii, C. Kienastiana, and C. Parthenia. Notwith- 

 standing the enormous extent of territory over which 

 Cattleyas are spread, the climatic conditions under which 

 they grow are so similar that, with few exceptions, it is 

 possible to cultivate them in the Cattleya house. Those 

 from low altitudes, such as C. superba, C. Aclandia, C. 

 Eldorado, and C. guttata, require during the growing 

 season the temperature of the East Indian house, but 

 while in an inactive condition they should be kept in the 

 Cattleya house. C. citrina should be grown suspended 

 close to the roof in a cool greenhouse with plenty of 

 sunlight. The compost used for Cattleyas should 

 consist of fibrous peat and moss, in the proportion of 

 two-thirds of the former to one-third of the latter well 

 mixed together. Pots or pans proportionate to the size 

 of the plants should be selected ; affording good drainage 

 to at least two-thirds of their depth, secured at the top 

 with a layer of rough sphagnum. The plants on being 

 potted should be elevated a trifle above the rim, and 

 those which have long or heavy pseudo-bulbs should be 

 tied to neat sticks, so as to prevent them swaying about, 

 because, if unstable in their pots, the plants would be 

 likely to suffer. The best time to repot Cattleyas is 

 immediately the young roots are seen pushing from the 

 last-made pseudo-bulb. After potting, careful watering 

 is necessary, and the materials should be kept rather on 

 the dry side. Thus, whenever the compost appears dry 

 on the surface, simply moisten it around the edge of the 

 pot, the object being to induce the roots to lengthen out 

 and attach themselves to the sides of the pot ; and, when 

 that has occurred, the amount of root moisture may be 

 gradually increased. 



Until growth is well advanced and the roots are in 

 full activity, the plants should be kept well shaded from 

 strong sunshine. All Cattleyas love air and light. 

 There is no class of plants more impatient of a close, 



