THE ORCHID GENERA 77 



L^LIA 



The characteristic which distinguishes Laelias from 

 Cattleyas is the number of the pollinia, the former 

 having eight and Cattleya only four. So closely are 

 they related that the two genera readily inter-cross, the 

 result being known as Laelio-Cattleya. The genus is 

 variable, and has a fairly wide distribution in Brazil and 

 Mexico. Such species as L. Amanda, L. Cowanii, L. 

 crispa, L. Digbyana, L. e/egans, L. fava, L. g/auca, L, 

 grandis, L. harpophylla, L. lobata, L. Perrinii, L. pur- 

 pur ata, L. super Mens, and L. tenebrosa require the same 

 cultural treatment as that of the Cattleyas. Others, as 

 L. albida, L. anceps, including its numerous distinct 

 varieties, L. Autumnalis, L. furfur acea, L. Gouldiana, 

 and L. majalis, should be placed in well-drained pans 

 that can be suspended close to the roof glass, as it is 

 important that they may receive as much light as 

 possible. Only a thin layer of peat and moss is needed 

 for them to root in. If these plants could have a house 

 devoted entirely to them it would be a decided advan- 

 tage, as they delight in extremes of temperature. 

 During the growing season, the plants should receive 

 plenty of sunshine, with abundance of air, plenty of 

 water both overhead and at the root, and a temperature 

 hot by day and cool by night. When the season's growth 

 is completed, the supply of water should be gradually 

 diminished, and when quite at rest a cool dry green- 

 house is the best place for them. L. Jongheana, L. 

 /ongipes, L. pumila and its varieties, Dayana, prastans, 

 etc., should be grown in the intermediate house during 

 winter, and the cool house in summer. L. monophylla, 

 from Jamaica, where it grows at 4000 feet about sea 

 level, requires the intermediate house temperature. L. 

 rubescens (or peduncularis) grows and blooms profusely 

 when suspended in a basket to the roof of the warmest 



