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CATTLEYA LABIATA MENDEIJI,
VAR. DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH.
CATTLICYA LAÌIIATA, Lindi., iBcutlobulbis
nacco, scpalis ligulatis acQlis, lepalis oblongis obtusius
apiculo postico ligiilnto, supni antheram flcxo.
CATTI.I-.VA LABIATA, Lindi. Coll. BoL 33. Hoolt. Ex. I'l. ,15;, otc,
Vnr. MivNDEUi (I!;ickh. pro specie in Will. Oreh, Grow. Man., sth cd, 1S77, ¡>. I2.vl. sine auctorc
Ifto oblongis abbrevintis, Mpalis bene latis, ttpalis latissimis, lalx
suprsmum ac medium, area arnica pcofunde purpurea cgrcgi.i, striolis inaculisque
utrinquc, columna valida. Aprilina—maj.iliì Occidenti Kovo Granadonsis.
11: egregia, tepalis roseo purpurois, tcpalii subpallidioribus latissimis, labcllo imo lot
abbrevifttis latissimis m¿iopli)-Ilíí,
striolis biseriatis per disciim
circumspcreis, zona Havcola a
flavis dilute ochraceis, disco mediano superiori rufulo, columiia alba.
Col.), occidentali, numquam Venezolana. Locum natalein ctiom dcscriptioni addidi ram
Subvar. DUKE Of I
eccraleo sublavato máximo, za
Ex Nova Granada (U.
demon i non da varietale haud o
re allato ir,
cliaracteristica.
CATTI.EYA MKNDELI! is one of the grandest Orchids. The large, exquisite flowers, the short, broad leaves, the
short thick pseudobulbs, form a charming enisemble. My first knowledge of this beauty is due to Messrs. Vcitch, who
sent mc a grand (well preserved) complete specimen in 1871, with the remark, "flowering twice a year." I also remember
with lively gratitude of my oldest English correspondent, Mr. Stuart Low, having sent mc five, just opened, exceedingly
grand flowers, " not to write upon, but to see for your enjoyment."
The sub-variety, nay 1 perhaps unique individual, " Duke of Marlborough." dedicated to Hi s Grace the Duke of
Marlborough, now its possessor, is the wonderful champion to match all those beauties. It is one of those grand Orchids
which occupy the mind of the Orchidist so fully, which fill him with such a religious admiration, that in looking at it he
considers he sees the finest of all the fine Orchids.
C. Mendelii is a comparatively new Orchid,
received by Messrs. Backhouse, of York. Its home
/ / . C. Rdib. f .
was only a few years ago that the first living plants of it were
tiie Andes, north of Ocaiia, where it grows at an elevation of
about 3,500 feet. Immense quantities have been imported to Europe, so that now it is sparingly found in a wild state.
I t is regarded by many as the loveliest of all the varieties of C. labiata or oven of ail Cattleyas. Thej-e is a charm about
the colour of its flowers that is seen in few others, and particularly in tiie contrast of colour in the lip, which usually is
white in the upper half and deep magenta in the lower part, ^vhich is also exquisitely frilled. The sepals and petals vaiy
from pure white to a blush rose tint. As in the case of most other Orchids imported by the thousand, numerous varieties
occur, and some of these have been considered sufliciently distinct to rcceive names, those called superbissima,
grandiflora, Jamesiana. and Duke of Marlborough, being among the finest. The peculiar beauty of the latter variety is
well shown in our plate, which was drawn at the time the plant received a first-class certificate from the Royal
Horticultural Society at South Kensington. The richness of colour and exquisite form of the flowers of this variety are
such as to render it of high value. The flowering season of C. Mendelii begins in April and extends till June, and spans
the interval between the flowering season ofC. Triana:! and C. Mossi^, thus embracing the flower-show season, and, being
such a showy <3rchid, is a great favourite with exhibitors.
This Cattleya is a free g rower and an extremely free flovrercr. It succeeds well under the treatment given to the
majority of Cattleyas, that is, an intermediate temperature vaiying from 60 deg. to 65 deg. F., from November till May,
and during the rest of ths year the temperature may range higher, say from 65 deg. to 70 deg. It requires to be rather
more shaded than most Cattleyas, although it enjoys the fullest amount of difl"used light that can be given it in this
country. A great deal depends upon its management during the resting and gj-owing periods, It rests from about
Octobcr till Maich, during which intei-vai very little rater should be given. As soon as the flower buds appear
prominently in the sheaths water should be given more freely, otherwise the flowers will be small and deficient in colour.
Watering should be gradually increased in quantity until, in the height of growth in May and June, the plant receives an
abundant supply, which luust be gradually lessened as the new growths mature at the end of summer. It may be grown
cither in pots or suspended baskets. We recommend basket culture, as then the plants may be hung close under the roof,
where they receive more light and air than ivhen in pots on stages.
Drawn from the plant in possession of His Grace the DuWe of Marlborough.