March 10. 1906 



HORTICULTURE 



27» 



Phalaenopsis 



These beautiful '"moth orchids" may not 

 inaptly be termed the aristocrat's of their 

 class, combining as they do superior qualities 

 with the fastidious defects, born of a too shel- 

 tered environment. Exquisite! We are all 

 agreed, but too delicately nursed for this 

 utilitarian age; this no doubt is the feeling 

 of the democratic florist with regard to the 

 plants though he may think with regret of 

 their lasting cut flower value when a spe- 

 cially choice arrangement is mi hand. For 

 many reasons they will always be sweetly 

 select but no private collection can be com- 

 plete without a few of these lovely plants. 



True epiphytes, they are found at home, 

 growing on trees, overhanging streams in 

 the Malayan islands and being without 

 pseudo-bulbs they have always been difficult 

 to collect and import in good condition: 

 now and again batches of nice young plants 

 with fresh leaves may be seen at the auction 

 rooms tied with moss to sticks but in this 

 state they require careful handling to restore 

 them to pristine vigor. It is safer to begin 

 with established plants. 



A suitable quarter for Phalaenopsis is 

 sometimes difficult to find: many Leading 

 growers after building a special house for 



them have not met with c plete success; 



the fact is proved that an old house with 

 its peculiar humid flavor suits them best; they flourish 

 better also under a thick glazed roof which safeguards 

 them against excessive light without obscuring this very 

 essential element; too much light they will imt stand 

 or the leaves will spot, turn yellow and (Imp nil', and 

 always on hot days a liea\\ -hade is necessary. Thej 

 may be suspended or placed upon an elevated -t aging 

 with a saucer under each plant. Delighting, as they 

 do, in plenty of moisture especially in growing season, 

 they should not be kept soaked in winter or dull days, 

 taking care also that water be not dropped into the 

 hearts of the leaves; though they like an airy position, 

 cold draughts and sudden changes of temperature must 

 be carefully avoided. Teakwood baskets are the best 

 receptacles, but orchid pan- maj be used; baskets should 

 not be too large, as the flat-shaped roots stick most 

 tenaciously to the wood. The whole thing, later on. 

 after being carefully washed out may be transferred to a 

 larger basket without danger. After good drainage, 

 nice fresh sphagnum and a few bits of charcoal onlv are 

 needed as compost. Temperature should not drop to 

 less than 65 degrees at night in winter or the plants will 

 suffer. In foggy districts the glass must be kept clean 

 as in winter the flower buds are liable to turn yellow 

 and drop off. Cockroaches must be carefully sought 

 at night as the\ are re ry partial to the fleshy root- and 

 young flower spikes. 



They can rarely be propagated lo division and raising 



plain- fr seed is of enurse a slow and scientific 



process, Imt P. Luddemaniana will produce voting 



plant- freely on tl Id flower spikes, which fur this 



reason may lie left mi the plants. Flower spikes, how- 

 ever, .i- a general rule should not remain too long en 

 any Imt the mosl rigorous of any variety or the plant- 

 will be weakened, but. as they last a long time cut if 

 placed in water, tin- is not a serious disadvantage. 



I'- amabilis, a large white flowered variety of much 

 charm, is often described as the "Queen of Orchids.'" 

 Sehilleriana, however, i- perhaps the besl all round 

 plant of the species, having beautifully marked foliage 

 and flower- of a --ft -hade f pink and rose, wonderfully 

 five and graceful in form. P. violacea is deliriously 

 fragrant and a -<u H \ type of the short-flowered section. 

 The whole native family make up about three dozen 

 varieties with a few hybrids of greal rarin ami beauty. 

 All are worthv of i ttltivation, though there is a wide 

 range of quality between them. With a complete col- 

 lection fli svers o1 this beautiful class may be enjoyed 

 almosl the 'ear round. 



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