218 



HORTICULTURE 



February 24, 1906 



Coelogyne cristata 



This beautiful white flower i- sometimes described as 

 the most popular of orchids. Whether this is so or not, 

 it certainly deseryes all the popularity it enjoys. Unlike 

 many orchids, its appearance is pleasing at all times, 

 even when not in flower. It is very easih grown and '(& 

 seldom attacked by disease or insects. 



The species has several varieties, all of which are 

 worthy of cultivation. The variety Woodlands is a verj 

 large substantial flowered variety, but is so rare thai a 

 \<t\ small piece is considered quite a treasure. Chats- 

 worthii, which is shown in the accompanying picture 

 is also a fine variety and has larger flowers and pseudo 

 bulbs than the type. Maxima is simply a large form of 

 cristata. Lemoiniana lias a yellow fringed lip, and holo- 

 leuca or alba is 

 pure white and 

 looser in habit 

 than cristata. 



In summer thej 

 should have a cool 

 airy house oi 

 frame, the lattei 

 preferred provid- 

 ing the plants are 

 raised from the 

 ground and air 

 admitted at the 

 ground level, in- 

 suring a circula- 

 tion of air under 

 and around the 

 plants. They 

 should have a lighl 

 shade in bright 

 » rath e r. but 

 should have all the 

 diffused light pos- 

 sible. Overhead 

 svringing a n d 



( 'OELOl i'NE ( 'KISTAT 



growing and dilute stimulants 



plenty of water whi 



should be given after root action has commeno d. 



About September full sunshine should be given with 

 the exception of a few hours in tin- middle of very bright 

 days, as at this time the pseiido-bulbs begin to mature 

 and the number and size of the flower spikes will be in 

 direct ratio to the amount id' light given. This is the 

 most important point in the culture of ccelogynes, espe- 



cially if the plant- arc highly fed, a- tin- larger the 

 pseudo-bulb obtained the greater amount of light will 

 be necessary to mature it. 



An ordinary greenhouse with a minimum tempera- 

 ture of "in degrees I'., fairly light and airy, will be fa- 

 vorable winter quarters, dust enough water should be 

 given while tin' plants are in flower to prevent shriv- 

 elling. Baskets arc more convenient than pans, as the 

 beauty (if the flowers is shown to best advantage if the 

 baskets arc hung vertically. Best results are obtained 

 from shallow baskets as root aeration is very important. 

 A suitable compost and a better one than that iren- 

 erally recommended is fibrous loam and sun-dried cow 

 manure as a lower layer, the upper layer to consist of 



fibrous loam and 

 fern fibre in equal 

 quantities. They 

 should not be 

 moved or repotted 

 until it is abso- 

 lutely necessary, as 

 they arc somewhat 

 impatient of dis- 

 turbance and do 

 not flower well the 

 firsl year after re- 

 potti ug. 



If it is desired 

 to hold the flow- 

 ers back, the re- 

 tarding process 

 should not com- 

 mence until the 

 flower -pike- ap- 

 pear, as previous 

 to that time it 

 would not be safe 

 to assume that the 

 \, Chatswoeth vae. pseudo-bulb were 



mature. In a favorable, cool house the flowers can be 

 held until Easter and as an Easter flower they should 

 lie very popular. 



We are compelled to announce, with much regret, 

 that our colored plate of sweet pea did not reach us in 

 time for insertion in this number and its issue is un- 

 avoidably postponed until next week. 



