44 



ORCHIDS. 



brilliant richness and depth of colours ; the most frequent 

 of ^vhich are ^aolet, rose colour, crimson, and pui-ple, with 

 their intermediate shades. The flower-scape, which is in- 

 closed in a sheath, rises from the top of the bulb, and a 

 single spike sometimes contains as many as nine perfect 

 flow^ers. As soon as the flowering is over, the Cattleyas 

 generally begin to make their growth for the next season ; 

 but some of them, as C. Walkeriana, C. violacea, and (7. 

 superha, flower wiiile making their growth. In the cultiva- 

 tion of Cattleyas I have found them thrive best in pots, 

 with the exception of C, Walkeriana, C. marginata, and 

 C. citrina, which grow best on blocks with a small quantity 

 of moss. If room be not abundant, all the kinds may be 

 grown on blocks, but they will require more attention, and 

 seldom thrive so well as in pots. They require a good 

 depth of drainage. I generally fill the pot about half full 

 of potsherds, which I cover with a layer of moss, and then 

 fiU up the remaining space with peat, taking care always to 

 have the plants elevated above the rim of the pot. 



I grow all the Cattleyas, excepting C. citrina, in the 

 East India house, and am accustomed to give them a good 

 supply of heat, and not too much water, while they are 

 growing. Water applied to the roots once or twice a-week 

 will be sufficient for those in most vigorous state of growth : 

 too much water is apt to cause the bulbs to rot. So long 

 as the soil remains moist no water is required ; and when 

 the soil becomes dry, water should be applied to the roots, 

 not to the bulbs, as it is apt to injure them greatly. When 

 the plants have made their growth they should be allowed 

 to rest, and be kept rather dry, giving them just water suf- 

 ficient to prevent their shrivelling. 



A long season of rest is very advantageous to the 

 plants, causing them to flower more freely and grow more 

 vigorously afterwards. Those plants growing on blocks will 



