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hottest parts of India; they nrc consequently true air-plant* The temperature they ore subjected to » high 

 during their growing time, which is in the wet season, and afterwards becomes more moderate in the 

 succeeding period when (hey are subjected to drought. To grow them to perfection, these alternation* of 

 wet ami dry seasous should be imitated- Muse plants, having no thick Besby bulb to support then, require 

 n constant supply of nourishment in the shape of moislum, to keep them in vigorous health, the more so 

 aa they continue to grow nearly all through the year. What ret they need is taken during the period they 

 arc in bloom, and for a short time afterwards. Though they continue growing through the winter, yet the 

 heat must not be kept too high during that dull season, and only enough water must be given them to 

 keep them fresh and plump ; but during the rest of the growing season more water is requisite. The moss m 

 which they are potted only, however, requires to he kept moderately moistcned-ncver made wet. It should 

 hi- rcmcnnW that naturally these air-plants are elevated on the branches of trees, and often remain for 

 some time without rain, so that when confined in our stovw. and planted in moss, they do not need to be 

 kept sopped with water as they sometimes arc. The chief item in the management of this class of Orchids, 

 is to apply water liberally about the pathway and tables, ©very day, morning and afternoon, during the 

 summer months- In winter, on the other hand, this should be done only on fine days, and in the morning, 

 when the heat is at its proper degree, and the house appears dry. Some growers apply steam in their 

 Orchid houses, hut this we avoid, as abundance of moisture may be provided otherwise ; ami the simple plan 

 of moistening the pathways, etc., of the house is more congenial to the plants than steaming them from rusty 

 tanks and pipe*. Wo have not had recourse to steaming for several years, and Dnd our plants thrive better 

 without it. If the Orchid house is furnished with tanks, they ought to be so constructed that they may be 

 closed up in the winter, in order that the moisture of the atmosphere may be quite under control ; for too 

 much moisture, whether in the atmosphere or at the roots, in the dull winter months, not nnfrcqucntly 

 products spotting of the leaves, as well as (in many species) rotting of the bulbs. 



These plants will grow either in baskets or pots, or on blocks. If they arc required for exhibition, 

 pot cultivation will he the more suitable, as the specimens may in that case be more conveniently moved 

 from place to place. The ordinary wooden baskets commonly used arc not desirable, as they too soon decay, 

 but * baskets f made of the same material as the pots arc durable, and some of them have n good effect in a 

 house. This mode of cultivation give* a tropical appearance to the scene, and the plants succeed well in 

 this way. Jf they arc grown on blocks, more attention is requisite, for they must he kept moist at the 

 roots? and when thus circumstanced, they have a strong tendency to dry up quickly. It is a good plan to 

 dip the block into water even - day during the summer season. Sphagnum moss is the material best suited 

 for the roots of those grown in |wts and basket*, and must be used along with good drainage, The |k>U 

 arc to be mure than half-filled with potsherds, and then filled up with moss. The species of Amd& require 

 the same tcm|>eraturc as has been already recommended for Fauda migah (see Plate ITL). 



They arc propagated by taking the young pieces off when rooted, and by culling the stem asunder 

 below the upjicrmost root. This can be accomplished more safely when the plants are large, as they then 

 push out more freely. 'Hie young shoots thus obtained should be planted in pots or Iw^kcts, keeping them 

 at the warmest part of the house, where it is shady and moist, until they begin to make fresh roots. The 

 best time to cut the plants is just as they arc beginning to grow, for then they make their roots more freely. 

 TT it is done when they arc at rest, they are apt to shrivel. The plants should be kept perfectly clean. They 

 arc subject to the attacks of the thrips, which if allowed to get on them will soon disfigure as well as 

 injure them ; it may, however, be kept under by tobacco-smoke, and by sponging with clean water. 



