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Cattleya (Named in honour of William)

(named in honour of William Cattley, Esq., of Barnet, Herts, a famous patron of botany, and one of the most ardent collectors of rare plants of his day). ORD. Orchideae. A magnificent evergreen genus, which occupies the first rank in the estimation of Orchid-growers, both on account of the great size of the flowers--often 7in. or 8in. across--and also from their rich and varied colours. In addition to these qualifications, they are, with one or two exceptions, extremely easy to manage. This genus has much in common with Laelia, from which it is technically distinguished by possessing four pollinia or pollen masses, instead of eight. The flower-scape, which is enclosed in a sheath, rises from the top of the pseudo-bulb, a single spike sometimes containing nine perfect flowers, and occasionally many more, which last a considerable time in beauty. They vary considerably in size; for, whilst some species make pseudo-bulbs only some 2in. or 3in. long, others reach as many feet in height, forming, in a natural state, huge masses several yards in diameter. They all form pseudo-bulbs, which are more or less stout in the different species, and usually bear a single, dark green, coriaceous leaf upon the apex. One division of the genus produces two leaves upon the summit of the pseudo-bulbs, and sometimes, but more rarely, three are developed. Generally speaking, however, the largest-flowered species are to be found among those with single leaves. We have now many varieties which have been produced by hybridising, and these, both for size of flower and the marvellous beauty of their markings, may vie with the choicest of the introduced kinds. Many of these plants thrive best when attached to a block of wood--with a little sphagnum--suspended from the roof; pot culture, however, for those which attain any considerable size, will be best, as they will not only if grown in this manner produce the finest blossoms, but will require less care and attention at the hands of the cultivator. For potting material, use good fibrous peat from which all the gritty part has been well beaten; add to this some chopped living sphagnum, and some clean, sharp silver sand. Thorough drainage is most essential; and, in potting, let the plant sit upon the top of the soil, which should be elevated somewhat above the rim of the pot, in order to carry the water away quickly. Cattleyas like a genial, moist atmosphere, and an abundant supply of water during the growing season, which should be administered from the watering can; for, in the case of those plants grown in pots, it has been frequently remarked that, where regularly syringed, they neither grew nor flowered so well. When grown suspended from the roof upon blocks of wood, there is nothing to fear from the syringe, because the water is not so likely to lodge in the large sheathing scales which envelop the young growth. This, however, may easily occur to those in pots, and is very detrimental to the miniature pseudo-bulbs. The syringe should not be depended upon entirely as a supply to those plants grown upon blocks; but, during summer, they should be carefully taken down, two or three times a week, and immersed in a tub or pan of water, which should be at least of the same temperature as the house they are growing in. After the pseudo-bulbs are formed, water must be withheld, and the plants allowed a season of rest; but care should be taken to prevent them becoming exhausted during this period, as much injury may arise if the withholding of water be carried to excess. A long season of rest will cause the plants to flower more freely, and to grow more vigorously afterwards. In our enumeration of the best species and varieties, we have derived considerable information from the works of Lindley, Warner and Williams, &c. New and distinct hybrids are constantly produced. C. Aclandiae (Acland's).* fl. twin; sepals and petals usually chocolate-brown, barred with irregular transverse bands and streaks of yellow; lip large, spreading, varying from rich rose to almost deep purple; base of lip too narrow and too spreading to cover the column. July. l. ovate, coriaceous, dark green. Pseudo-bulbs slender, 5in. to 6in. high. Brazil, 1839. (B. M. 5039.) C. amethystoglossa (amethyst-tongued).* fl. about 5in. in diameter; sepals and petals rosy-lilac, beautifully spotted and blotched with purple; lip wholly of a rich deep purple or amethyst hue; scape erect, many-flowered. March to May. l. dark green, leathery, borne upon the apex of the pseudo-bulbs. h. 2ft. to 3ft. Brazil, 1862. (B. M. 5683.) the variety sulphurea is very pretty, with the ground colour of the flower pure yellow, and spotted, as in the type; lip broad, of a rich cream-colour. 1866. (G. C. 1866, 315.) C. bicolor (two-coloured).* fl., sepals and petals of a peculiar brownish-green hue; lip long, narrow, of a rosy-purple colour, which becomes paler towards the margin; spikes eight to ten-flowered. September. h. 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. Brazil, 1837. In the best varieties, it is rich magenta, with an interrupted white-fringed margin; the blossoms have the fragrance of the garden Pink. (B. M. 4909.) C. chocoensis (Choco).* fl. large, not fully expanded like the majority of this genus, somewhat campanulate in shape; sepals and petals pure white, broad, more or less fringed at the edges; lip yellow, stained in front with rich purple. Pseudo-bulbs bearing a single oblong, stout leaf. Choco, New Grenada, 1873. (I. H. n. s. 120.) C. citrina (citron-flowered).* fl. of a bright uniform lemon-yellow colour, most deliciously perfumed, solitary, from the latest developed pseudo-bulbs, of a stout and waxy consistence. May to August. l. from 6in. to 10in. long, and about 1in. broad, pale glaucous. Pseudo-bulbs small, oval, covered with a silvery membrane when young; two or three-leaved. Mexico, 1838. This beautiful species is generally grown upon a block of wood, with just a small portion of sphagnum; but we have seen it well grown in pans, just like any other Cattleya; the atmosphere should be moist and the temperature very cool. (B. M. 3742.) C. crispa (curled).* fl. 4in. to 5in. across; sepals and petals white, or white suffused with lilac; lip crimson velvet, with a narrow white crisp margin; spikes strong, frequently four or five-flowered. July, August. Pseudo-bulbs clavate, from 12in. to 14in. high, one-leaved. Brazil, 1826. (B. M. 3910.) The variety superba is a magnificent one, with a rich crimson and beautifully-fringed lip.

C. Dawsoni (Dawson's).* fl. 6in. or 7in. in diameter; sepals and petals delicate rosy-purple; lip large, the upper part straw-colour or yellow, the rest of a beautiful roseate hue, and the margin fringed; clusters three or four-flowered. l. dark green, of unusual thickness. h. 1ft. Brazil, 1863. (W. S. O. 16.) C. Devoniana (Devon).* fl. upwards of 5in. in diameter; sepals and petals white, tinged with pink, which becomes deeper towards the points; lip deep rosy-purple. September. l. in twos, 6in. or 8in. long. A beautiful hybrid. C. dolosa (deceptive).* fl. beautiful pink; lip with a yellow disk. l. twin, 4in. long, 2 1/2in. broad, oval. Pseudo-bulbs 5in. or 6in. long. A pretty novelty. (G. C. n. s., v., 430.) C. Dominiana (Dominy's).* fl. 6in. in diameter; sepals and petals white, delicately shaded with pink; lip rosy-purple, edged with white, and deep orange in the throat. A very fine hybrid. The variety alba has pure white flowers, with a lip having a lilac blotch in the centre; lutea has delicate blush flowers, and the lip white in front, suffused with yellow, the disk yellow, streaked with rose.

C. Dowiana (Dow's).* fl. very large; sepals and petals of a bright nankeen colour; lip large and spreading, beautifully frilled on the margin, and wholly of an intense rich purple, shaded with violet rose, and beautifully streaked with lines of gold; scape five or six-flowered. Autumn. It produces stout pseudo-bulbs, and leaves about 1ft. high. Costa Rica, 1866. This species is best grown in baskets, as near the light as possible; it also requires more heat than is usually allowed to Cattleyas. (B. M. 5618.) C. eldorado (El Dorado).* fl. large; sepals and petals pale pink; lip of same colour outside, purplish-crimson towards the front, and stained with orange in the throat, serrated at the edges. August, September. This rare and beautiful species has pseudo-bulbs, which support a single, large, deep green leaf. Central America, 1869. The variety splendens is very superior; sepals and petals clear rose, the latter much broader and serrated at the edges; lip large; throat rich deep orange, succeeded by a circle of white, which is again followed by rich violet-purple, extending to the front and round the whole margins, where it is finely serrated. Rio Negro, 1870. (I. H. 1870, 7.) C. exoniensis (Exeter).* fl., sepals and petals soft rosy-lilac; lip very large, of an intense rich shining purple, with a white marginal border, the throat being suffused with rich golden yellow. A very splendid hybrid between C. Mossiae and Laelia purpurata. (F. M. 269.) C. gigas (giant).* fl. very large; sepals and petals pale rose; lip large and broad, rich deep purple or crimson-violet in front, and having two conspicuous eye-like yellow blotches at the base; scape four or five-flowered. April and May. Tropical America, 1873. (G. C. n. s. 17, p. 343.) C. g. Sanderiana (Sander's). A very handsome variety, remarkable for the large spreading lip, of a rich amethyst, grained with white. 1883. C. granulosa (granulated-lipped).* fl. olive-coloured, with rich brown spots, large; lips whitish, spotted with crimson. August, September. Guatemala, 1841. (B. R. 28, 1.) C. guatemalensis (Guatemalan).* fl. produced in large clusters; sepals and petals rosy-purple and buff; lip reddish-purple and orange, with a few crimson lines. Guatemala, 1861. Distinct and pretty.

C. guttata (spotted).* fl., sepals and petals green, tinted with yellow and dotted with crimson; lip white, stained with purple; scape erect, five to ten-flowered. October and November. l. twin, coriaceous, dark green, growing upon the apex of the pseudo-bulbs. h. 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. Brazil, 1827. (B. R. 1406.) C. g. Leopoldii (Leopold's).* fl. very fragrant, and more numerous than those of the type; sepals and petals deep chocolate, with dark red spots; lip wholly of a rich red-purple. Brazil. (F. d. S. 14, 1471.) C. g. Russelliana (Russell's).* A beautiful variety, from the Organ Mountains; it is altogether a taller and larger plant, with much handsomer and darker flowers. 1838. Very rare. (B. M. 3693.) C. Harrisoniae (Harrison's).* fl. of a beautiful rose-colour; lip slightly tinged with yellow. July to October. h. nearly 2ft. Brazil. A noble free-flowering species. The variety violacea has beautiful violet flowers; lip of the same colour, with a little yellow in the centre. (P. M. B. 4, 247.) C. intermedia (intermediate).* fl., sepals and petals soft rose or rosy-purple; lip of the same colour, blotched in front with deep violet-purple. May to July. h. 1ft. Brazil, 1824. (B. M. 2851.) There are several varieties of this most useful species, the best two of which are the following:

C. i. superba (superb).* fl. four to six on a spike; sepals and petals of a delicate rose; lip broad, rich purple. Brazil.

C. i. violacea (violet). fl. often nine on a spike; sepals and petals delicate rose-colour; lip with a rich purple spot in the centre. May and June. Brazil. C. labiata (lipped).* fl. large, 6in. or 7in. in diameter, three or four on a spike; sepals and petals of a deep rose colour, the latter being beautifully waved, very broad; lip large, somewhat hooded, the front portion being of an intense deep velvety-crimson. Late autumn. l. solitary, broad, leathery, dark green. h. 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. Brazil, 1818.

C. l. pallida (pale). fl., sepals and petals light pink; lip crimson, beautifully fringed. August. l. upright, of a lighter green than the type. Brazil.

C. l. Pescatorei (Pescatore's).* fl., sepals and petals light rose-colour; lip rich crimson. A very beautiful variety, with light green foliage and free-flowering habit.

C. l. picta (painted).* fl. large, very handsome when well expanded, and often measuring 7in. across; sepals and petals pure white; lip of the richest crimson, and beautifully fringed. June, July. h. 1ft. The flowers are but sparingly produced, and are often deformed.

C. Lemoniana (Lemon's). fl. pale pink, with yellow in the centre of the lip. Summer. l. light green. h. 1ft. Brazil, 1842. Very close to C. Mossiae. (B. R. 32, 35.) C. lobata (lobed). fl. deep rich rose. May, June. Brazil, 1847. A charming species, much like C. crispa in growth, but shorter, both in bulb and leaf. It is rarely seen, on account of its very shy-flowering propensities. (G. C. 1848, 403.) C. Loddigesii (Loddiges'). fl. three or four on a spike; sepals and petals pale rose colour, tinged with lilac; lip light rose, marked with yellow. August, September. h. 1ft. Brazil, 1815. (L. B. C. 37.) C. marginata (margined).* fl. large, delicately perfumed, usually solitary; sepals and petals rosy-crimson; lip deep rose, margined with white. September and October. Pseudo-bulbs slender, seldom exceeding 6in. in height, and bearing upon the apex a single oblong light green leaf. Brazil, 1843. A rather shy and slow-growing species, of which there are many beautiful varieties. It grows best when suspended from the roof of the house, on a block of wood, with a little sphagnum. (P. M. B. 10, 265.) C. maxima (large).* fl. rose-coloured throughout, of a pale hue when they first expand, which gradually becomes deeper; lip very large, almost white, beautifully ornamented with dark purplish-crimson veins, and streaked in the centre with orange colour; spikes many-flowered. Winter. Its main peculiarities consist in its long-channelled pseudo-bulbs, and its very convex, waxy petals. h. 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. Columbia, 1844. (B. M. 4902.) There are several varieties of this species.

C. McMorlandii (McMorland's). fl. about 6in. in diameter; sepals and petals beautiful light rose; lip yellow and fringed. June, July. l. dark green. h. 1ft. Brazil.

C. Mendelii (Mendel's).* fl., sepals and large and broad; lip large, of a rich magenta colour. April and May. South America. A very fine species, of recent introduction.

C. M. Selbornensis (Selborne's). A splendid variety, with large flowers; lip very richly coloured; petals and sepals of a beautiful rosy-purple. C. Mossiae (Moss's).* fl. 5in. or 6in. across, sometimes more; although they vary very much, the sepals and petals are usually of some shade of blush or deep rose; lip large, of the same colour, in most instances beautifully fringed or crimped round the edge; scape three to five-flowered. May, June. l. solitary, dark, shining green, borne upon the apex of the stout pseudo-bulbs. h. 1ft. la Guayra, 1836. (B. M. 3669.) Without exaggeration, this species may be said to rank among the most magnificent of orchids in cultivation. The varieties are extremely numerous, and, in many instances, very distinct. Mr. Williams describes nearly thirty; but the major number of these are very rare, and perhaps not a few unique. The following selection comprises the principal ones:

C. M. aurantiaca (orange).* A very handsome variety, remarkable for the deep orange hue of the centre of the labellum. Venezuela. C. M. aurea (golden). fl. small; sepals and petals blush, less spreading than in most other forms; lip small, strongly marked with buff-orange at the base, extending forward at the front edge, and having broken violet-rose lines in the centre, surrounded by a very broad pale margin, which is almost white inwards, and tinged with blush on the extreme edge.

C. M. a. grandiflora (large-flowered).* fl. large; sepals and petals blush; lip marked with a bar and a few broken lines of violet-rose, very much stained with orange at the base, and towards the upper part of the margin. C. M. grandiflora (large-flowered).* fl. large; sepals and petals blush, the latter less frilled than in some forms; lip of a deep rich purple-rose, slightly stained at the base with orange, and having a narrow even edge of pale blush.

C. M. grandis (grand).* The largest of all the forms in respect to the size of its lip; sepals and petals pale blush; lip mottled violet-rose, with an irregular blush-coloured edge; the base stained with buff-orange. A splendid plant.

C. M. Laurenciana (Lawrence's).* fl. large; sepals and petals blush, the latter very broad, and considerably frilled; lip large, rich deep violet-rose, slightly stained with orange in the interior, veined and mottled in front, with a narrowish and nearly even frill of blush.

C. M. majestica (majestic).* fl. very fine; sepals and petals broad, the latter measuring upwards of 9in. from tip to tip, and of a dark rose colour; lip large and spreading, having the edge beautifully fringed, ground colour dark rose, stained at the base with soft orange, and variously blotched and streaked in front with violet-purple. Pseudo-bulbs 3in. high, bearing a broad single leaf about 6in. long.

C. M. Marianae (Marian's).* fl. small, but very distinct and chaste; sepals and petals white; lip with a bright yellow stain at the base, prettily mottled with violet-rose in the centre, and broadly and evenly margined with white. A very rare and beautiful form.

C. M. splendens (splendid). fl. large; sepals and petals blush; lip rich full purple-rose, with orange base, the margins blush, and very much frilled. C. M. superba (superb).* fl., sepals and petals dark blush, the latter narrow and very slightly frilled; lip large, prominently stained with deep orange at the base, the front part brighter, and the centre veined and somewhat mottled with violet-rose, leaving a broadish, irregular, pale margin. C. M. Williamsii (Williams's). fl. large; sepals and petals blush white; lip finely mottled with rose, stained with orange at the base, and having a broad pale margin.

C. nobilior (nobler). fl. 5in. across, of a lovely deep rose-pink colour; lip conspicuously blotched with creamy-white on the front lobe. l. twin, ovate, thick, leathery. Pseudo-bulbs 4in. to 6in. long, cylindrical. Brazil, 1883. A species allied to C. dolosa and C. Walkeriana. (G. C. n. s., xix. 728.) C. pumila (dwarf). fl. rose coloured, with a crimson lip, often edged with white. September. h. 6in. Brazil. A very pretty species. (B. M. 3656.) C. quadricolor (four-coloured). fl., sepals and petals light rose; lip of same colour, yellow on the upper part. May. New Grenada, 1865. Very rare and pretty. (B. M. 5504.) C. quinquecolor (five-coloured). fl., sepals and petals light olive-green, spotted with brown and dark chocolate; lip white, with a yellow blotch, veined with rose. A very pretty hybrid.

C. Regnellii (Regnell's).* fl. large, 3in. to 4in. in diameter; sepals and petals pale green, tinged with olive, and more or less spotted with rosy-purple; lip large, spreading; ground colour amethyst, tinged with rosy-purple, this is set off by a neat marginal border of white, whilst the throat is stained with yellow; scape erect, three to five-flowered. July, and again in September. l. twin, sometimes tern, thick, fleshy, dark green. Pseudo-bulbs usually about 4in. or 5in. high. Brazil. (W. S. O. ser. ii., 22.) C. Schilleriana (Schiller's). A charming species, very like C. Aclandiae, but with darker and rounder foliage; the flowers are also darker. Brazil, 1857. (F. d. S. 2286.) C. Sedeniana (Seden's).* fl. large; sepals and petals light rose, shaded with green; lip with a white fimbriated margin, centre purple, with darker veins. A very handsome hybrid.

C. Skinneri (Skinner's).* fl. rosy-purple, very slightly tinged with purple; base of lip white; the column is shorter than in most of the species. April and May. l. twin, fleshy, light green. Pseudo-bulbs 12in. to 18in. high. Guatemala, 1836. An old, but still eminently useful, species. (B. M. 4270.) C. speciosissima (showiest).* fl. large, often 8in. in diameter; sepals and petals broad, soft flesh-colour, the latter broadest, with erose edges; the lip forms a circle, through closing over the column, the front portion being of an intense amethyst colour, varied with white and yellow markings towards the centre, where are also several lines of bright amethyst; spike rather short, three or four-flowered. l. ovate, shining. Pseudo-bulbs oblong, deeply channelled. Venezuela, 1868.

C. superba (superb). fl. deep rose, with a rich crimson lip; spikes three or four-flowered. June. h. 10in. Guiana, 1838. A very handsome but slow-growing species. The variety splendens has much larger flowers, and the lip is white at the base, rosy-violet in front, and with several lines of golden yellow towards the middle.

C. Trianae (Triana's).* fl. several inches in diameter; sepals and petals usually blush; lip blush, or pale rose outside; throat orange or yellow, front rich purple, more or less intense; scape many-flowered. Winter. Cordilleras of Quindiu, 1856. This is an extremely variable species, and consequently varieties are numerous.

C. T. Atalanta (Atalanta). fl. white, shaded with rose; petals broader and more pointed than the sepals; lip about 3in. long, pale rose, with a broad band of orange in the throat.

C. T. Colemanii (Coleman's).* fl. 8in. across; sepals and petals tipped with rose; throat elegantly striped with various shades of yellow; lip deep rose, well fimbriated. 1875.

C. T. Dodgsonii (Dodgson's). fl. white, 8in. to 9in. in diameter; lip deep crimson; throat orange-yellow C. T. Hilli (Hill's).* fl. pure white, large, very distinct; lip rich magenta; throat yellowish.

C. T. Io.* fl. as large as those of the variety Hilli; sepals and petals clear rose; petals finely serrated at the margins; lip large, rich deep purple, shaded with violet; an orange throat and marginal band of rosy purple; edges finely crisped.

C. T. Russelliana (Russell's). fl., sepals 3 1/2in. long, more than 1in. broad; petals white, tinged with rose, upwards of 2in. broad, waved at the edges, and recurved; lip 3in. long, basal part rose, but rich deep rosy-purple in front, shaded with violet; the centre of the lip and throat bright orange, and the edge finely curled.

C. T. velutina (velvety).* fl. very fragrant; sepals and petals pale orange, spotted and streaked with purple; lip orange at the base, white, with violet veins in front, where the surface is velvety. Brazil, 1870. This pretty form resembles C. bicolor in growth.

C. tricolor (three-coloured). fl., sepals and petals creamy-white; lip same colour, with a yellow throat and a band of carmine near the margin. 1883. A very distinct species, having flowers about the size of C. Skinneri. C. tuberosa (tuberose). Synonymous with C. Walkeriana. C. Wageneri (Wageneri's).* fl. snow-white, excepting a stain of rich yellow in the center of the lip, the margin of which, as of the petals, is beautifully divided. June. Caraccas, 1851. In habit, this species is like a rather slender form of C. Mossiae. (R. X. O. 1, 13.) C. Walkeriana (Walker's).* fl. rose-coloured, 5in. across, very sweet-scented; lip richer rose, with a slight tinge of yellow; scape usually two-flowered. h. 4in. Brazil, 1844. An elegant dwarf species, best grown on a block of wood suspended from the roof, allowing it plenty of light, but not too much sun. SYN. C. tuberosa. (P. F. G. 3.) C. Warneri (Warner's).* fl. about 6in. across; sepals and petals broad, deep rose colour; lip large, with its middle lobe much expanded, of deep rich crimson, ornamented in front with an elegant marginal fringe; scape many-flowered. Brazil, 1862. A robust and fine species, much resembling C. labiata in habit. (W. S. O. 8.) C. W. delicata (delicate). fl. white, 6in. across; lip large, with a beautiful yellow centre and tinge of rose, white on the outside. (W. S. O. 4.) C. W. d. superba (superb)* is a splendid form, with very large and finely expanded lip, and broad pure white sepals and petals. C. W. sudburyensis (Sudbury). A splendid variety, with an unusually large lip of rich amethyst-purple, edged with a frilling of white, and also white in the throat. 1883.

C. Warscewiczii (Warscewicz's).* fl. large; sepals and petals purplish-white; lip rich crimson. Winter. l. light green. h. 1ft. New Grenada, 1867. (R. X. O. i, 31.)