This very charming species of Cattleya was first obtained from Colombia for European gardens, in 1856, by Mr. Linden, to whom we are indebted for so many choice introductions amongst exotic plants. It is one of the best and most useful of the species, especially for winter decoration, and though very variable as regards the tinting of the flowers in the many distinct forms which have been imported, it is always of a brilliant and strikingly beautiful appearance, owing to the rich colouring displayed on the lip. The shades of colour in the several kinds varies from pure White through blush white and pale pinkish rose to a pale shade of deep rose, the upper lobe of the lip being of a rich magenta-crimson.
There are, as we have just said, many forms of Cattleya Trianæ. That which we now figure we consider to be a very good representative of the typical form of the species. Our drawing was taken from a very fine specimen grown in the beautiful collection of R. B. Dodgson, Esq., of Beardwood, Blackburn, in which many forms of this lovely species occur, as we have already intimated under [Plate 40]. We have also mentioned Mr. Osman as being a most successful cultivator of Orchidaceous plants.
Cattleya Trianæ is a free-growing as well as a free-blooming species. It has dark green foliage, and attains the height of about fifteen inches, producing its blossoms during the winter months, after the growths are completed. The sepals and petals are of a pale pink or delicate tint of rosy purple; the lip is of a bright magenta, margined with delicate rose-pink, the edge being fringed, and the disk marked with a rich orange-coloured two-lobed blotch. The flowers are produced in February and March, and continue for several weeks in perfection, provided they are kept free from moisture, which if it lodges upon them will cause them to become spotted, and destroy their beauty. It is an excellent plan to place the plants when in bloom in a drier house than that in which they are grown, and to bestow all possible care upon their preservation. Of themselves they form a fine group of Cattleyas, there being so many distinct varieties, of colours such as to make them thoroughly useful for decorative purposes. By their agency our Orchid houses may be kept gay for several months in the most dreary time of the year, for when there is a number of plants they may be flowered in succession. The plants can now be bought at a reasonable price, as, in consequence of the large importations of them, they have become plentiful.
Cattleya Trianæ requires the same treatment as C. labiata, C. Mossiæ, and others of the same class, all these plants being, indeed, regarded by some botanists as varieties of one species. For their successful growth the use of good fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, with ample drainage, are requisite, and they should be kept well elevated above the pot rim. They will also thrive well suspended from the roof in baskets, and also on blocks of wood, but in these cases they require more attention as to watering, in order to keep them moist at the roots.
Cattleyas thrive best when placed under the influence of strong light, but they must be shaded from bright sunshine. This régime induces them to blossom more freely, indeed, if the bulbs are not well ripened good results cannot be anticipated. The plants require a plentiful supply of water during the growing season, by which we mean that they should be kept constantly moist about the roots. When their growth is completed less may be applied, merely enough to keep them in a plump state. When the flower spikes begin to appear more water should again be given, as it will induce the buds to swell more freely, in consequence of which the flowers will be finer.
Orchids from Dr. Paterson.—This gentleman has been kind enough to send us a grand spike of his Vanda tricolor Patersoni. It is a fine form of this noble Orchid, the flowers being of large size, and well marked, the lip beautifully coloured with rich magenta. A nice spike of the beautiful Aërides nobile came in the same parcel, and a curious Eria with white flowers, named stellata (the true stellata has dull pale yellow flowers) on account of the star-shaped form of its blossoms.—B. S. W.
PL. 46. MILTONIA CUNEATA.