CULTIVATION OF ORCHIDS 



They require similar treatment to the deciduous Calanthes, but rather more shade. The 

 same remarks apply also to the i;are Eulophia guineensis, known by some as E. congoensis. 



The Cattleya, or Intermediate, House must be a high, light structure, and should 

 contain such plants as Cattleya Aclandias, C. Bowringiana, C. bicolor, C. Chocoensis, 

 C. Dowiana and its beautiful variety aurea, C. Eldorado, C. gigas, C. Gaskelliana, 

 C. guttata, C. Harrisonia', C. intermedia, C. Iabiata autumnalis, C. Lawrenceana, C. Loddi- 

 gesi, C. Luddemanniana (syn. C. speciosissima), C. maxima, C. Mendel i, C. Mossiae, C. Perci- 

 valliana, C. Regnelli, C. Schilleriana, C. Schroderae, C. Skinneri and its rare variety alba, 

 C. superba, C. Trianas, C. Warneri, and C. Walkeriana. A few Cattleya hybrids may 

 also be mentioned, such as C. Brymeriana, C. Chamberlainiana, G. Exoniensis, C. Hardyana, 

 C. Lord Rothschild, C. Mantini nobilior, C. Parthenia, C. Pheidooa, and C. Wendlandi. 

 Cattleyas and La-lias are very closely allied, the only botanical difference being that in 

 the Cattleya flower there are four pollen masses, whereas in the Laslias eight is the number. 

 The great interest attached to these Orchids is due to the surprising beauty of the flowers, 

 especially striking being the richness of colour on the labellum or lips, and in some kinds, as 

 C Dowiana and C. D. aurea, the golden pencillings and markings are magnificent. Among the 

 best of the Laslias, the following are all worthy of the best attention : L. crispa, L. cinnabarina, 

 L. (Brassavola) Digbyana, L. Dormaniana, L. elegans, L. flava, L. grandis tenebrosa, L. har- 

 pophylla, L. lobata, L. Perrinii, L. P. alba, L. pumila, and L. purpurata. Exceptional interest 

 has resulted by hybridisation. As both species cross so readily with each other, many new 

 forms and shades of colour have been obtained, which in almost every case are nearly inter- 

 mediate between the two parents employed. Space will not allow all, or nearly all, of the 

 hybrids or their parents to be enumerated here, but it will suffice to mention some of the best 

 known of this fascinating group. To denote the two parent genera the names are compounded 

 together, viz., La-Tio-Cattleya, and are: L.-C. Arnoldiana, L.-C. Amesiana, L.-C. Bella, 

 L.-C. Blessensis, L.-C. Canhamiana, L.-C. Clive, L.-C. Dominiana, L.-C. Digbyana-Mossiae, 

 L.-C. eximia, L.-C. endora, L.-C. Henry Greenwood, L.-C. Hippolyta, L.-C. Ingrami, L.-C. Lady 

 Wigan, L.-C. Nysa, L.-C. Pallas, L.-C. Phoebe, L.-C. Sedeni, L.-C. Veitchiana, L.-C. Warn- 

 hamense, L.-C. Wellsiana, etc. Cattleyas and La?lias are generally found growing under the 

 same, or nearly similar, conditions in their native habitat ; therefore their cultural requirements 

 are identical. Pot culture is the most suitable, and it is well to bear in mind that in all cases 

 pots proportionate to the size of the plants should be selected. Overpotting is a great evil, and 

 as a rule the smaller the pot the stronger the safeguard against excess of moisture at the root. 

 The drainage must be as free as possible, and should consist of broken crocks, filling the pots to 

 at least two-thirds of their depth with this material, secured at the top by a thin layer of 

 Sphagnum Moss. The plants, on being potted, should be raised a trifle above the rim, 

 and the compost should be pressed firmly around the base. This may consist of fibrous 

 peat and Sphagnum Moss in the proportion of two-thirds of the former to one-third of the 

 latter, and well mixed together, w ith the addition of a moderate quantity of small crocks 

 to ensure porosity. If the plants are large and heavy insert a few neat sticks in the 

 pot, to which some of the pseudo-bulbs may be tied. The best time to repot Cattleyas or 

 Laelias is when the latest growths commence to emit new roots from their base. These then 

 quickly enter and appreciate the fresh compost. During the growing season the cultivator 

 should be careful not to give water to plants about which there is uncertainty as to their actual 

 condition at the root; the safest plan is to wait until each plant is "dry" before applying 

 water, and then to give an abundance, as a good watering at moderate intervals is always 

 preferable to constant saturation of the soil. When grow th is completed, and the plants at rest, 

 the amount of water should be gradually diminished until only sufficient is necessary to prevent 

 shrivelling of the pseudo-bulbs. The distinct Cattleya citrina is one of the most remarkable 

 of Cattleyas. Its growth always assumes a downward direction, and from the centre of the bulb 

 and between the pale glaucous green leaves appear the flower:.. They are of a golden yellow 



