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t i
C A T T L E ^ ' A CITRINA /j,M
ovoìdcis scu spharicis diphyllis, folüs gcminis lig\ilatis acutis pruiniitis, pcdimcuk
perigonio vaidc carnoso, scpalis liguliilis aculis, icpalis oblongis apiciilatis, labcllo trilobó, lobis liitcralibus i
plus minus clorgato, c.irinis tcmls mcdìanis clcvalulis, columna valida crassa trigona apice trífida bono brev
? CoZTICCOATZONTüCOXOCtliTL Homandcz, Méx., I.. 2.|0 ! (Matrit MDCC:XXXXX., Capul Ixxxi.) De Cor.liccoatíonlccoxDchill, scu plañía rtorcs
ferente liitcos, colubri capili pcrsiraiks. Railiccs fundit Cozliccoatzontccoxochitl ovi figunts fibralas striatasquc, el eaücin [KÍIIC ningniludino, l'yrisve parvis
similes, aut omnino CoaMonlccuxochitl, cu! ctiam folia siniilia sunt, nisi liaic cssenl l.itiora el longiora : (lores lulcos el [larvos, hnii<i dissimiles illls
Tzaciixocliitl, eodcmque odoa-. Frigida liiimida(iuc natiira constai radix, et dcvonilur iiniiis aut ampliori pondere ab his, qui alicande cxauclomli sunl, nul
ìctus scnsere. Flores vero corollas floridas torques et manipulos, (juoruin apiid Indos frequens est el ixrrpcluus usus, exornare solenl.
i-loc prxeuntibus La Llave el Lexar/a semper citatur sub Caltleya citrina sed valde dubito recte fieri ab " florea parvos,"
SoiiRALlA CITUISA, La Llave e! Lexarza Nov, Veg. Dcscr, II., 21 (1825).
Tatzingueni Mexic. fide La Llave ct Lexarza, I, c.
CATTI.LVA KARWINSKII, in Martius Bcitracgc, tab. 10. !82p—31, Xomen forsan priuscdilum quam Cattlejii citrina,
CATTLLYA CITRINA, Lindi., Gen. ct Spec, Orch.. p. 117, Aug. 1831 I Hook. Itnt. Mag., 1S48, Oí. 37.12 ! Van Hoiitce nnre des Scrrt-s, xvi., l6Sy:
Linden, LUddemann, Planchón, Uehb. f„ Pcscalorea 12 I Warner Sel. Orch., 111., tS! Rcgcl Gartenüfjra, xxvii., 931, f, I. !
EPIDliNRRUlf aTKrxcrM, Uehb. f. Walp. Ann. VI., 317.
in Mexico a ci. La Llave et Lexarza supra arboros in montibus Vullisoleto proxirais. Floret Aprili el Majo. Viilelur in plagis occìdenlalibii.s,
leones analytiea;. Colui
THE peculiar growth of lliis Cattieya and the splendour of its flowers render it one of the most reniarkaiile plants in tlic
Orchid family. The colour is quite unique among Cattleyas; the (lowers look as if they were moulded out of golden
wax, beautifully harmonising with the silvery foliage, and are perfumed with a delightful citron-likc fragrancc. It is not
surprising that since :t was first introduced, some sixty years ago, it has baen such a favourite garden plant, and has
become one of the most poj)uIar Orchids at the present day. It is a nati\'e of Mexico, where it is widely distributed
in the mountainous regions. It is found on the west coast in the State of Oaxaca, and on the east coast in the State of
Vera Cruz, at altitudes ranging from 6000 feet to 7000 feet, and is generally found on the trunks and blanches of oak
trees, and invariably growing downwards. This peculiarity of growth is continued when the plants are under cultivation,
for no matter in what position they are placed, their growths always turn towards the earth. In the neighbourhood of
Oaxaca this Orchid flowers during March and April, and the beauty and fragrance of its flowers are highly esteemed by
the native Me.xicans.
Fortunately, Cattieya citrina has been and still is imported in large quantities, otherwise it would soon beco.nc
scarce, on account of its being one of those plants requiring more than ordinary skill in order to maintain it in continuous
health and vigour. Thousands of imported plants have been sacrificed because cultivators do not heed the conditions
under which this Cattieya can alone be successfully grown and flowered. There are three essential points to observe in its
culture: firstly, the proper season to procure imported plants ; .secondly, the correct period and duration of its resting
season; and thirdly, the season for starting the plants into active growth, Imported plants 'sliould be purchased only
from the importations sold during December and January, as at that season the plants are entirely at rest. After freeing
the bulbs of such superfluous matter as dead roots, stems, and sucli like, the masses should be secured on blocks with
copper wire and tacks, with the bulbs pointing downwards. Hard wood, such as teak, apple, or haw'thorn is preferable
for the blocks, Some prefer to grow it on flat trellises or rafts, but in no case is compost of any sort needed around
the bulbs. The plants should be hung against a wall in a temperature of from 55 deg. to 60 deg., and in a position
where they would deri\-e all available sunlight. Under this treatment the bulbs will soon push out roots and
commence to form new growths, when the temperature should be raised and the plants syringed copiously three or four
times a day, the house being at the same time well ventilated ; the temperature may rise as high as 80 deg. F., and Ihis
treatment should be continued until the bulbs are fully developed. When the bulbs have attained their fullest size, the
resting period commences, and this extends iluring at least six months, anti the longer the period the better. During
rest the plants must be placed so as to be fully exposed to direct sunlight in an airy house or corridor, and water inust be
given only in sufficient quantity to prevent the bulbs from shrivelling. The temperature may fall as low as 50 deg. F. at
night diiring the winter, and about January or February the plants should be again removed to th.e growing house The
flowering season in this country occurs at no stated period, but is usually between May and August.
Drawn from a plant in Ihe colleciion of li. H. Mcasiirvs, E.-*!., The \V<.odlnn<ls, S'