CATTLEYA MORGANÆ. [Plate 6.] Native of the United States of Colombia.

CATTLEYA MORGANÆ. [Plate 6.] Native of the United States of Colombia.

Epiphytal. Stems short, oblong or somewhat clavate, furrowed when mature, attaining with the leaves about eighteen inches in height. Leaves solitary, coriaceous, ligulate-oblong, acute, of a light green colour. Scape three to four-flowered, issuing from a terminal oblong compressed bract, which is about two and a half inches long. Flowers large and pleasing on account of their delicate colouring, about six inches across when expanded; sepals lanceolate, entire, three-fourths of an inch broad and about three inches long, recurved at the tip, white; petals spreading, clawed, broadly ovate, fully two inches across, the margin entire at the base and much undulated in the anterior portion, white; lip obovate, emarginate, about three inches long, the basal portion entire and rolled over the column, the anterior portion moderately expanded and beautifully frilled, white, like the rest of the flower, with a small blotch of pale magenta near the apex, but not quite extending to the margin, and stained on the disk with an obcordate blotch of clear yellow, passing into orange-yellow in the throat, the deeper portion being veined with yellow lines. Column concealed by the convolute base of the lip.

Cattleya Morganæ, supra.

One of the most chaste and charming of the summer-flowering Cattleyas, and quite distinct in aspect from all others in cultivation. We have great pleasure in dedicating it to Mrs. M. Morgan, of New York, who is a great admirer of this noble class of Orchidaceous plants, and, moreover, has a fine and valuable collection of them. The first specimen we bloomed produced ten flower spikes, and was exhibited at the Manchester Botanical and Horticultural Society’s Show in June, 1879; the plant was the admiration of all who saw it, and was on that occasion awarded a First Class Certificate on account of its distinct and pleasing character.

Cattleya Morganæ belongs to the same section of the genus as C. Mendelii, of which section there are many races or varieties, all of which are beautiful and rich in the colouring of the lip, some having the sepals and petals white, while in others they are of a rosy hue, more or less intense. The plant now before us grows about eighteen inches in height, and has light green foliage with a somewhat drooping habit. It produces its flowers freely, as many as four together on the spike. The sepals and petals are pure white; and the lip is white with a light magenta blotch near the apex, its throat orange colour, the incurved base white, and the edge beautifully fringed. The flowers are produced in May and June, and last from five to six weeks in perfection. It makes a fine subject for decorative purposes, since its pure white flowers form a charming contrast with the high-coloured 13 varieties of other species of Cattleya, of which there are many that come into bloom at about the same time.

Cattleya Morganæ requires the same treatment as C. Mendelii and C. Mossiæ, and will thrive well, grown either in a pot or basket, planted in good fibrous peat and sphagnum moss. It will also succeed on a block suspended from the roof. As in the case of the other Cattleyas, it prefers to have all the light possible, but to be just sufficiently shaded to keep off the direct rays of the sun. It must be borne in mind that the plants are found growing naturally on the branches and stems of trees in the forests, where they get some shade, and a free circulation of air, which it is of great benefit to secure, and which should be made a point of the utmost importance in the artificial cultivation of all Orchids, as of most other plants. It would be a great boon to cultivators if our collectors would note down and supply fuller and more precise information on these points, for although of course the natural conditions could not in all cases be carried out to the full extent, yet we should then be better able to imitate them, and thus supply the natural wants of the plants. In giving as much air and light as possible, however, cold draughts must be avoided, which may be effected by fixing the ventilators near the hot-water pipes, and should a cold wind prevail by giving air on the opposite side, always closing the house in good time. In summer water should be freely sprinkled about the tables and paths twice a day, namely, in the morning, and about three or four o’clock in the afternoon. During the dull dark days of winter, very little moisture is required, but on warm days some water may be given to the plants, especially in springtime when the days begin to lengthen. Syringing should be avoided during the winter, except in the case of those on blocks, for a little dewing with the syringe during the day, will not hurt these, as the moisture quickly dries off. The water should always be used in a tepid state.

One of the most important items in Orchid culture is cleanliness. Every plant should be cleansed as soon as any indications of insect life are perceived upon it, since there are Insecticides and other remedies sold to destroy all such pests. Cockroaches, Snails, and Woodlice are very troublesome, and should be well looked after at night when they come out to feed on the young shoots and flowers. Woodlice may be caught by laying down here and there traps, consisting of some moss, at night, or half potatos or turnips scooped out in the centre, and placed about in quiet nooks and corners, or on the pots; the woodlice will harbour under them, and may be caught and destroyed in the morning.

Cattleya gigas.—See note under Plate 2. We have since received a wonderfully grand flower of Cattleya gigas from the fine collection of J. S. Bockett, Esq., of Stamford Hill; it is eight and a half inches in diameter; the sepals and petals are of a light rose colour, the lip three inches across, and three in length, of the richest crimson-magenta, margined with a lighter colour, and the throat partly magenta and partly orange. The spike bore four of these flowers.—B. S. W.

PL. 7. PROMENÆA CITRINA.

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